The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) has given the “go” to continue preparations for Wednesday’s early morning liftoff of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket on the NROL-44 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and U.S. Space Force.
Liftoff is scheduled for 2:16 a.m. EDT (0616 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

The LRR, led by ULA Launch Director Lou Mangieri, was completed this morning in the Delta Operations Center (DOC) at the Cape and virtually via teleconferencing.

Leadership from ULA, the NRO and the Space Force assessed the readiness of the rocket and mission assets, discussed the status of pre-flight processing work, heard technical overviews of the countdown and flight, and previewed the weather forecast that continues to be favorable with a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, senior leaders were polled and gave a unanimous ready status for launch, then signed the Launch Readiness Certificate. 

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is an Intelligence Community element and Department of Defense organization responsible for developing, acquiring, launching and operating America’s reconnaissance satellites, as well as operating associated data processing facilities in support of national security. Using NRO data, the National Security Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and other NRO mission partners produce intelligence products for the President, Congress, national policymakers, warfighters, and civil users.

United Launch Alliance will offer live comprehensive countdown coverage from the Delta Operations Center (DOC) in our automatically-refreshing blog beginning Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. EDT (2130 UTC), with continuing commentary all the way to liftoff.

Be sure to visit our YouTube and turn on the “reminder” for our Launch LiveStream

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