Secret NRO satellite mounted atop Atlas 5 rocket for July 28 launch

Crews hoisted a covert spacecraft atop an Atlas 5 booster rocket this morning for its trek into an equatorial orbit next week. United Launch Alliance will perform the deployment mission on July 28 for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, the government agency that oversees the country’s spy satellite fleet. The launch is known as NROL-61 and the satellite’s purpose is classified. The NRO tells Spaceflight Now that the rocket will head easterly away from Cape Canaveral along an initial flight azimuth of 99 degrees. Liftoff will occur some time during an unclassified period of 8 a.m. to 12 noon EDT (1200-1600 GMT). The actual target launch time is expected to be announced early next week, but the duration of the usable window will remain secret. More

(Source: SpaceFlignt Now - Jul 20)