Launch successful for Minotaur IV, first Space Force mission rocket from Wallops

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2020-07-15 14:43:54

The Minotaur IV rocket launched successfully from NASA Wallops Flight Facility, marking the the first U.S. Space Force mission at Wallops. Continue reading on Delmarva Daily Times

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. — The Minotaur IV rocket launched successfully from Virginia’s NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Tuesday morning,marking the beginning of the first-ever mission by the U.S. Space Force from Wallops.

The rocket, carrying four classified payloads for the National Reconnaissance Office, is the first Minotaur launch from Wallops since 2013 and the second orbital launch of 2020 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport launch pads. Minotaur rockets have been launched from Wallops for nearly 14 years.

The launch countdown was held for about 46 minutes for a boat in the restricted zone; the area was cleared and the countdown was restarted.

The NRO is the Intelligence Community element and a Department of Defense agency responsible for developing, acquiring, launching, and operating America’s intelligence satellites to meet the national security needs of the nation.