[Satellite TODAY 02-08-11] Orbital Sciences launched a secret U.S. government payload Feb. 5 aboard a Minotaur 1 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Orbital announced Feb. 7.
    The rocket’s payload, developed for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), is part of the NROL-66 mission’s Rapid Pathfinder Program, which aims to test spy technology in space.
    “This particular payload carries some of the work we do in techniques and methods to improve intelligence collection. All part of our work to keep improving the value of our data,” NRO Spokesman Rick Oborn said in a statement.
    The mission was the 20th launch for the Minotaur rocket line since 2000.