WESH 2 News app for more breaking alerts. The DELTA FOUR heavy vehicle is on the launch pad, ready for its last launch ever. It is part of a family of rockets that has served the Department of Defense and NASA for a long time. Tomorrow, the rocket will lift off carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. It has served a decades-long role in mostly covert surveillance payloads. This is a final opportunity to deliver some critical national security payload to the Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. So we look forward to that. You know, she says, leaving is bittersweet, because it's the end of a legacy here. But at the same time, you know, we got Vulcan coming down the road. So, we have a great future ahead of us. The Delta program played a major role in…
The Delta IV Heavy rocket is ready for final launch after decades of service
The Delta IV Heavy rocket is part of a family of rockets that has long served the Department of Defense and NASA. Delta IV Heavy is now on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station ready for its final launch ever. The heavy-lift mission will carry payload for the National Reconnaissance Office with launch partners, the US Space Force and the United Launch Alliance. The Delta IV Heavy rocket's swan song comes after a decades-long role in mostly classified surveillance payloads, just like this final mission. RELATED: Delta 4 Heavy: Powerful rocket to make final flight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It's always a spectacular launch to watch, thanks to 2.1 million pounds of thrust and an interesting feature that makes it look like the rocket is on fire. Just before take off. “This is one last opportunity to enhance some national security, and it's a critical payload for the Space Force, NRO. So, we're really looking forward to that. As you say, the passing of the legacy is bittersweet. But we have Vulcan coming on,” said Ron Fortson, director of launch operations at ULA. way, so we have a big future ahead of us.” ULA leadership says the Delta program played a big role in creating the next-generation rocket, Vulcan. After a successful inaugural launch in January, ULA says the transition from older rockets to the next generation will go smoothly. Ahead of Thursday's launch at 1:40 p.m. Teams closely monitor clouds and winds at ground level TOP HEADLINES: Arrest after local mother found shot to death Her child found dead in hot car more than two years ago Settlement reached in lawsuit between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Disney's Delta 4 Heavy: a powerful rocket to make the final journey from Cape Canaveral into space. The power station
Delta IV Heavy is part of a family of rockets that has served the Department of Defense and NASA for a long time.
Delta 4 Heavy is now on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station ready for its final launch ever.
The heavy-lift mission will carry payload for the National Reconnaissance Office with launch partners, the US Space Force and the United Launch Alliance.
The Delta IV Heavy rocket's swan song comes after a decades-long role in mostly secret surveillance payloads, just like this final mission.
Related: Delta IV Heavy: A powerful rocket to make the final flight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
It's always a spectacular launch to watch, thanks to the 2.1 million pounds of thrust and the interesting feature that makes it look like the rocket is on fire just before liftoff.
“This is one last opportunity to provide some national security, and it's a critical payload for the Space Force, NRO. So, we're really looking forward to it. As you say, the passing of the legacy is bittersweet. We have a great future ahead of us,” said Ron Fortson, director of launch operations at ULA. But we have a Vulcan coming down the road, so we have a big future ahead of us.”
ULA leadership says the Delta program played a large role in creating the next generation rocket, Vulcan.
After a successful inaugural launch in January, ULA says the transition from older rockets to the next generation will be smooth.
Before the 1:40pm launch on Thursday, teams are closely monitoring ground-level clouds and winds.
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