The US Air Force has successfully launched the Atlas V rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The rocket, in support of national defence, was launched from Space Launch Complex-3.

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United Launch Alliance launched the mission aboard an Atlas V 501 using a 5.4m diameter, 77ft-long, Ruag composite payload fairing.

The rocket was powered by a single common core booster using the RD Amross RD-180 engine and a Centaur upper stage using a single Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL-10A engine.

Vandenberg Air Force Base launched a Minotaur IV carrying the first space-based space surveillance satellite on 25 September 2010 from Space Launch Complex-8.

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Airforce Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airforce Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.


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Discover how Virtualitics is transforming mission readiness with explainable AI, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision intelligence across the U.S. Department of Defense through its AI-powered Integrated Readiness Optimization suite, for which it has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards.

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