Thu Aug 29, 2013, 01:07 PM

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

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

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7 replies	Author	Time	Post
America's biggest rocket blasts off, likely carrying spy satellite (Original post)	Jesus Malverde	Aug 2013	OP
I thought they had spy satellites; which could already tell make and model	Uncle Joe	Aug 2013	#1
They want the ability to see if someone has head lice.	Spitfire of ATJ	Aug 2013	#5
I thought we already had satellites that could do that?	dballance	Aug 2013	#2
yes, the Keyholes, starting 30 years ago, and continuing to 2011.	ChairmanAgnostic	Aug 2013	#6
To be used for spying in everyone's bedrooms, no doubt n/t	durablend	Aug 2013	#3
I would rather that they pointed the cameras at the stars	daleo	Aug 2013	#4
Locking, link is beyond LBN's 12 hour requirement. Please repost in GD as it is interesting and	uppityperson	Aug 2013	#7

Response to Jesus Malverde (Original post)

Thu Aug 29, 2013, 01:11 PM

Uncle Joe (56,391 posts)

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.

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Response to Uncle Joe (Reply #1)

Thu Aug 29, 2013, 01:57 PM

Spitfire of ATJ (32,723 posts)

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

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Response to Jesus Malverde (Original post)

Thu Aug 29, 2013, 01:20 PM

dballance (5,756 posts)

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?

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Response to dballance (Reply #2)

Thu Aug 29, 2013, 01:58 PM

ChairmanAgnostic (28,017 posts)

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.

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Response to Jesus Malverde (Original post)

Thu Aug 29, 2013, 01:27 PM

durablend (7,231 posts)

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

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Response to Jesus Malverde (Original post)

Thu Aug 29, 2013, 01:52 PM

daleo (21,317 posts)

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.

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Response to Jesus Malverde (Original post)

Thu Aug 29, 2013, 01:58 PM

uppityperson (115,576 posts)

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.

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