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United Launch Alliance (ULA) delivered the classified NROL-61 (redesignated USA 269 once on orbit) payload to orbit on July 28, 2016 atop an Atlas V 421 rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) located in Florida. Launched on behalf of the National Reconnaissance Office, the spy satellite began its ascent to geosynchronous orbit at 8:37 a.m. EDT (1237 GMT). With a cartoonish lizard as its mascot, the mission was provided with a launch name of “Spike” and was under the NRO’s Project Quasar. Photos courtesy: Michael Howard, Jason Rhian, Chris Giersch
