MISSION OVERVIEW
United Launch Alliance successfully launched the classified NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office using a Delta IV Heavy rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The payload details remain classified, but the mission launched into a classified orbit typical of intelligence-gathering satellites. This launch was one of the final Delta IV Heavy missions before the rocket’s retirement, marking the end of an era for one of America’s most powerful launch vehicles.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Delta IV HeavyAGENCY
ULATARGET ORBIT
Classified
LAUNCH PAD
SLC-6LAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg Space Force BaseLAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
UNKNOWN
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68 launch?
The Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68 is scheduled for Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 9:18 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: Success.
What rocket is being used for Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68?
The Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68 mission uses the Delta IV Heavy rocket.
Where is the Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68 launching from?
The launch takes place from SLC-6 at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
What orbit is Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68 going to?
The Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68 mission is targeting Classified.
Who is launching Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68?
The Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68 is operated by ULA.
Can I watch the Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 00:27 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 00:27 UTC
Launch date set: Jun 22, 2023 at 21:18 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by ULA
Mar 28, 2026 00:27 UTC
Status: Success
Updated via Launch Library 2
Jun 22, 2023 16:14 UTC
NROL-68: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches the Penultimate Delta IV Heavy RocketA United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off on June 22 at…
United Launch Alliance
Jun 22, 2023 05:01 UTC
ULAu2019s penultimate Delta IV Heavy launches NROL-68 missionUnited Launch Allianceu2019s penultimate Delta IV Heavy rocket took flight on the NROL-68 mission Thursday, lofting a secretive payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. Liftoff,…
NASASpaceflight
Jun 20, 2023 20:59 UTC
United Launch Alliance ready for penultimate Delta IV Heavy launchUnited Launch Alliance is targeting the launch of the penultimate Delta IV Heavy with the secretive NROL-68 mission at 3:29 AM ET…
Teslarati
Jun 17, 2023 21:01 UTC
Launch Roundup: ULA launches Delta IV Heavy; SpaceX launches three missionsIn what will be a quiet week for orbital launches, Rocket Lab launched its first suborbital Electron mission; SpaceX launched the Satria satellite to geostationary…
NASASpaceflight
Jun 14, 2023 17:29 UTC
NROL-68: Delta IV Heavy readied for national security launchUnited Launch Alliance
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 2 minutes ago
●Spaceflight News API5 minutes ago
5 articles matched
Mission Profile
Delta IV Heavy | NROL-68 was a Delta IV Heavy mission operated by ULA that lifted off from SLC-6, Vandenberg Space Force Base on June 22, 2023. The flight carried its payload to Classified.