---
title: "Watch a US Spy Satellite Launch Fail Seconds Before Liftoff"
description: "Mission control was forced to abort a spy satellite launch aboard a Delta IV Heavy just seconds before the rocket achieved liftoff."
date: "2018-12-09"
modified: "2018-12-09"
authors:
  - name: "Jon Christian"
    job_title: "Executive Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jonc"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/watch-us-spy-satellite-launch-fail-seconds-before-liftoff"
categories:
  - "Off-World"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "delta iv heavy"
  - "national reconnaissance office"
  - "the digest"
  - "United Launch Alliance"
---

# Watch a US Spy Satellite Launch Fail Seconds Before Liftoff

![Mission control was forced to abort a spy satellite launch aboard a Delta IV Heavy just seconds before the rocket achieved liftoff.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/watch-spy-satellite-launch-fail-seconds-before-liftoff.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: United Launch Alliance\</em\>*

## Spy Satellite

Late last night, a U.S. spy satellite was [scheduled to launch](<https://www.space.com/42678-glitch-delays-nrol71-spy-satellite-launch.html>) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket built by the United Launch Alliance.

But at the last moment — just 7.5 seconds before liftoff, [according to *Space.com*](<https://www.space.com/42678-glitch-delays-nrol71-spy-satellite-launch.html>) — mission control was forced to abort the mission. A dramatic video shows a lick of flame appearing under the rocket just before [countdown was called off](<https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/12/09/delta-4-heavy-countdown-aborted-moments-before-launch/>).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb2_80NjgQU

## Mysterious Cargo

The rocket was carrying a spy satellite called NROL-71, built by the National Reconnaissance Office, a part of the Department of Defense that collects intelligence from orbit. The purpose of NROL-71 wasn't clear, but the *Verge* [reported prior to the launch](<https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/7/18130477/united-launch-alliance-delta-iv-heavy-nrol-71>) that the use of a Delta IV Heavy suggested that the satellite was heavy and probably destined for a high orbit.

The launch was "scrubbed today due to an unexpected condition during terminal count at approximately 7.5 seconds before liftoff," the ULA said in a statement. "The team is currently reviewing all data and will determine the path forward. A new launch date will be provided when available."

**READ MORE:** [Delta 4-Heavy countdown aborted moments before launch](<https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/12/09/delta-4-heavy-countdown-aborted-moments-before-launch/>) \[*Space Flight Now*\]

**More on Delta IV Heavy:** [Elon Musk Is Arguing With Spaceflight CEOs on Twitter. Again.](<https://futurism.com/elon-musk-arguing-space-ceo>)

## Author
I'm responsible for editing, assigning, and scouting at Futurism, as well as occasionally writing for the site. That work involves keeping an eye on a wide range of narratives and issues, but over the past few years I've become increasingly interested in how AI is shaping the future of media, the web, and information itself. My day-to-day often involves collaborating on reporting and commentary projects bylined by my colleagues, but I try to find time to do my own reporting as well; stories I've broken for Futurism have been cited by publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Wired, Ars Technica, New York Magazine, the Columbia Journalism Review, Bloomberg, and more. I grew up in Southern Vermont and attended Vanderbilt University. Prior to Futurism, I contributed to outlets including the Boston Globe, Vice, Wired, Slate, the Atlantic, the Outline, Ars Technica and more, and did stints in farming and food service. I currently live in Brooklyn, New York, and in my free time I enjoy pinball, word games, cycling, running, and music production.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/jonchristian.net>)