Politics & Government

UPDATE: Canoga Park Engines Lift Spy Satellite to Low-Earth Orbit

Rocket engines were manufactured by Aerojet-Rocketdyne.

Update: A massive rocket carrying a spy satellite for the U.S. government launched at 11:03 a.m. from the central California coast Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

The Delta IV Heavy rocket, powered by engines built in Canoga Park, soared off the launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base, about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and sped toward low-Earth orbit, officials at United Launch Alliance said.

Since the mission is classified, no other details were available.

Find out what's happening in Woodland Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Earlier story: Watch the northwestern sky beginning at 10:52 a.m. Wednesday to see the launch of a spy satellite aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket powered by engines made in Canoga Park.

"The three hydrogen-burning RS-68 engines on the rocket were manufactured by Aerojet-Rocketdyne at its Canoga Park plant, as were the upper-stage engine and multiple altitude control thrusters. Aerojet-Rocketdyne is owned by GenCorp Inc. in Sacramento," according to the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

Find out what's happening in Woodland Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Delta IV Heavy is America's largest rocket. It will be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, north of Santa Barbara.


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