NROL-25
ULA Delta IV launches the NROL-25 military satellite from VAFB
The NROL-25 launch is named Altair
The original patch was with depictions of an eagle and a compass
www.nasaspaceflight.com...
Wikipedia has removed the old image, although the Launch Name still shows
Altair.
en.wikipedia.org...
The orbit is unusual - its backwards
The official Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, released to the public this week to establish clear warning zones around the rocket's flight path
indicate the booster is headed southwestward from Vandenberg Air Force Base on its trek downrange.
Typical Vandenberg launches head southward toward polar orbits or slightly southeastward on so-called "coast-hugger" ascents, depending on the
payload's desired orbit.
In the upcoming launch, however, the Delta 4 rocket will take a distinct trajectory out over the Pacific Ocean that would result in delivering its
classified satellite cargo into a retrograde orbit flying against Earth's natural rotation
spaceflightnow.com...
Explore:
Aquila, the Eagle, is surrounded by no fewer than nine other constellations that touch its borders. Most prominent are Sagitta that bounds most of
its northern flank and Sagittarius its southern. Aquarius is to its east and Serpens Cauda to the west. Aquila is at its most prominent to northern
hemisphere observers during midsummer months when its brightest star, Altair forms the southernmost corner of the Summer Triangle with Deneb in Cygnus
and Vega in Lyra. The Milky Way is rich in this area of the sky, running diagonally through Aquila. h2g2.com...
Altair- A Star that has been used for navigation:
Altair - The Flying Eagle
photo credit Thomas Fahey
The rocket appears to have been named "Electra"
Photos:
spaceflightnow.com...
More Photos
www.flickr.com...
www.youtube.com...#!
Some infomation as to the
123 degree retrograde inclination
www.satobs.org...
About the new patch .....
dust turned up by the Incorrect stomping on the 'Earth', even the 'blows' by the right hoof..
XXY on the shoulder of the Bull...
Victoria Commissa Omnibus”, meaning “Committed to victory for all”
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