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Delta IV Heavy rocket takes to the skies one last time in breathtaking launch: photos

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Alex Mead
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Apr 9, 2024

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a classified spy satellite blasted off from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, at 12:53pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. ULA transported the cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

This is the final flight of a Delta IV heavy rocket. It was the world’s third highest-capacity launch vehicle, behind NASA’s Space Launch System and SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy.

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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 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 on April 9, 2024. United Launch Alliance

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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 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 on April 9, 2024. United Launch Alliance

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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 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 on April 9, 2024. United Launch Alliance

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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 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 on April 9, 2024. United Launch Alliance

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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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

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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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

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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Spectators gathered at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral to watch the launch. MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK

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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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

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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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

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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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

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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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

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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Spectators gathered at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral to watch the launch. MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK

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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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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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 the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
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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