A top secret U.S. spy satellite is set to launch Thursday in Florida atop one of the most powerful rockets.
The satellite was built for the National Reconnaissance Office, a secretive branch of the federal government that oversees spy satellites for several agencies, according to
BayNews9.com.
The Florida Today newspaper reports the satellite is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base powered by Delta IV Heavy rocket.
"The most powerful rocket available today is needed for a National Reconnaissance Office payload speculated to be a large eavesdropping satellite — in the range of 15,000 pounds — that will fly more than 22,000 miles above the equator," the newspaper said.
According to the newspaper, the NRO brands itself as "America's eyes and ears in space," and does not discuss its missions.
"To maintain the intelligence mission's secrecy, Thursday's full launch window has not been released," Florida Today reports.
Today's launch has already been delayed by five days due to an unspecified payload issue, according to the newspaper. If the launch is delayed Thursday, officials will try again on Saturday.
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