The Delta IV Heavy rocket rises one last time in a wide ranging launch: photos

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying a secret spy satellite lifted off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, at 12:53 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. ULA transported the cargo for the US National Reconnaissance Office.

This is the last flight of a heavy Delta IV rocket. It was the third highest capability launch vehicle on the planet, after NASA's Space Launch System and SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.

The Mobile Service Tower (MST) rolls back from the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), in preparation for launch from the Space Launch Complex -37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on April 9, 2024.

The Mobile Service Tower rolls back from the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket in preparation for launch from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, April 9, 2024.
United Start Alliance

The Mobile Service Tower (MST) rolls back from the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), in preparation for launch from the Space Launch Complex -37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on April 9, 2024.

The Mobile Service Tower rolls back from the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket in preparation for launch from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, April 9, 2024.
United Start Alliance

The Mobile Service Tower rolls back from the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket in preparation for launch from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, April 9, 2024.

The Mobile Service Tower rolls back from the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket in preparation for launch from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, April 9, 2024.
United Start Alliance

The Mobile Service Tower rolls back from the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket in preparation for launch from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, April 9, 2024.

The Mobile Service Tower rolls back from the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket in preparation for launch from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, April 9, 2024.
United Start Alliance

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
AP

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Joe Marino/UPI/Shutterstock

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Spectators gathered at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral to observe the launch.
MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY/USA TODAY NETWORK

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY/USA TODAY NETWORK

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY/USA TODAY NETWORK

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY/USA TODAY NETWORK

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
AP

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Spectators gathered at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral to observe the launch.
MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY/USA TODAY NETWORK

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY/USA TODAY NETWORK

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV heavy rocket carrying classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY/USA TODAY NETWORK

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