Launch News Delta IV Heavy with NROL-44

[GLS]

Another big spy satellite going up.... but not just yet...

As usual, the PAOs look like fools when something happens that isn't in their script. ?‍

 

[Gargantua2024]

That was the most spectacular launch abort I've ever seen IMHO

 

[jarmonik]

There appears to be lot of fire involved in every launch with that launcher particularly. Makes me hold my breath every time. I don't recall seeing launch aborts after engine ignition before. At least we avoided a big fireball that happen to Antares sometime ago.

 

[DaveS]

There's appears the be lot of fire involved in every launch with that launcher particularly. Makes me hold my breath every time. I don't recall seeing launch aborts after engine ignition before. At least we avoided a big fireball that happen to Antares sometime ago.

The fire is entirely normal and expected as the RS-68 starts very hydrogen-rich so it belches a cloud of H2 right at engine ignition that rises and sometimes gets ignited. The very first Delta IV Heavy burnt all three LH2 tanks prior to lift-off and suffered no ill effects. Here's a set of photos that shows just how crispy the LH2 tanks got: https://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d310/041221launch/01.html and https://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d310/041221launch/02.html

 

[emin2004]

here's what happened


5

4

3

!!ABORT LIFTOFF!!

2


1

& lift off...

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"Cricket Sound Ensues"

 

[Thunder Chicken]

The Great and Powerful Oz has spoken!

 

[GLS]

It finally launched.
T0 @ 30m30s