ULA’s Atlas 5 rocket lifts off with NROL 61. Photo: ULA

[Via Satellite 07-28-2016] United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) has successfully launched a national security payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) aboard an Atlas 5 rocket. The mission, NRO Launch 61 (NROL 61), marks ULA’s sixth launch of 2016 and the 109th since the company was founded in 2006. It is also the sixth Atlas 5 to launch in the 421 configuration.

The Atlas 5 rocket lifted off at 8:37 a.m. EDT today from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.