US launches largest rocket carrying spy satellite
LOS ANGELES. January 21. KAZINFORM The United States on Thursday launched Delta IV Heavy, the largest rocket ever, carrying a spy satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California; Kazinform refers to China Daily.
The three-engine rocket, carrying the 1-billion-dollar top- secret spy satellite NROL-49, blasted off at 1:10 pm (2110 GMT) from the base, 130 miles (209 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
The launch will make the US government capable of snapping pictures detailed enough to distinguish the make and model of an automobile hundreds of miles below, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The rocket, 235 feet (72 meter) in height, is the largest rocket that has ever been launched in the base. Three hydrogen- fueled engines -- each roughly the size of a semi-truck -- provide 17 million horsepower; Kazinform cites China Daily.
See www.chinadaily.com.cn for full version