America's biggest rocket blasts off, likely carrying spy satellite

[Jesus Malverde]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by uppityperson (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: LA Times

A 235-foot-tall rocket carrying a top-secret spy satellite roared to life and blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, leaving a thick white plume as it cut across the morning sky.

The launch took place Wednesday at 11:03 a.m. PDT at the picturesque base, which is located along the Pacific Ocean.

After countdown, the Delta IV Heavy rocket's three main engines ignited and climbed into skies. The hydrogen-fueled engines — each roughly the size of a pickup truck — were guzzling nearly a ton of propellants per second to provide 17 million horsepower.

Although little is publicly known about what exactly the rocket will be carrying into space, analysts said it is probably a $1-billion high-powered spy satellite capable of snapping pictures detailed enough to distinguish the make and model of an automobile hundreds of miles below.

Wednesday’s mission, designated NROL-65, has been on schedule for months.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-biggest-rocket-launch-20130828,0,723303.story

[Uncle Joe]

1. I thought they had spy satellites; which could already tell make and model

not to mention whether the car needed an oil change.

Thanks for the thread, Jesus Malverde.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

5. They want the ability to see if someone has head lice.

[dballance]

2. I thought we already had satellites that could do that?

I thought we already had satellites in orbit that could tell you the brand of a cigarette pack in a picture?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. yes, the Keyholes, starting 30 years ago, and continuing to 2011.

The FIA class of satellites were to replace them. To bad, though, that Boeing (instead of L-M) won the contract, earned 15-20 BILLION on the contract, and never built even one satellite before they shitcanned the whole thing. Boeing should have been banned from any future military contracts because of their unbelievable behavior on FIA.

What remains to be seen is whether this is the 3d generation Keyhole (lockheed martin's successful baby) or some variation on the radar and AI-imaging that FIA was supposed to promise. Because an older Keyhole sat is getting quite old, most people suspect that it is a Keyhole replacement, but with far more enhancements and capabilities than the first generation.

[durablend]

3. To be used for spying in everyone's bedrooms, no doubt n/t

[daleo]

4. I would rather that they pointed the cameras at the stars

They are more interesting and don't facilitate warfare. Granted, some intelligence gathering is necessary, but I think the human race takes that too far.

[uppityperson]

7. Locking, link is beyond LBN's 12 hour requirement. Please repost in GD as it is interesting and

should be out for people to see. Thank you.