Classified US satellite launched from California after delay

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) — A rocket carrying a classified U.S. satellite has blasted off from California.

Len Wood

A Delta IV rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-6 just after 2:11 p.m. PDT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. The rocket is carrying a classified U.S. satellite. (Len Wood/The Santa Maria Times via AP)

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A Delta IV rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-6 just after 2:11 p.m. PDT, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. The rocket is carrying a classified U.S. satellite. (Len Wood/The Santa Maria Times via AP)

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The Delta 4 rocket lifted off from coastal Vandenberg Air Force Base at 2:11 p.m. Friday and headed toward orbit.

Its payload is a satellite dubbed NROL-47 for the National Reconnaissance Office.

The office is in charge of designing, building, launching and maintaining U.S. intelligence satellites.

The rocket was supposed to launch on Wednesday but high winds and then equipment problems caused several delays.

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