---
title: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches the Penultimate Delta IV Heavy Rocket
description: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches the Penultimate Delta IV Heavy Rocket
image: https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/52993110639_6b876ed024_c-2.jpg
---

[![ULA_Logo](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/ULA_Logo.png)](https://www.ulalaunch.com/)

[![](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/Back%20Arrow%20Blue.png) Back To Releases](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases)

[National Security](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/tag/national-security),

## [United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches the Penultimate Delta IV Heavy Rocket](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-the-penultimate-delta-iv-heavy-rocket)

 Delta IV Heavy NROL-68

 June 22, 2023

[![Share on facebook](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/facebook.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-the-penultimate-delta-iv-heavy-rocket&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook)

[![Share on twitter](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-the-penultimate-delta-iv-heavy-rocket&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-the-penultimate-delta-iv-heavy-rocket&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+the+Penultimate+Delta+IV+Heavy+Rocket)

[![Share on linkedin](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-the-penultimate-delta-iv-heavy-rocket&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin)

![](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/52993110639_6b876ed024_c-2.jpg)

 A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifts off from Space Launch Complex-37 on June. 22, 2023 at 5:18 a.m. ET. Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance

*Nation’s proven heavy lift vehicle delivers high priority mission in support of National Security*

**Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., (June 22, 2023)** – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off on June 22 at 5:18 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. To date, ULA has launched 156 times with 100 percent mission success. 

“We continue to build on our valued partnership with the NRO and are grateful for their trust and collaboration as we work to precisely deliver critical national security capabilities to orbit,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “This mission marks the 11th Delta IV Heavy for the NRO and the penultimate launch of the nation’s proven heavy lift vehicle.” 

The final Delta IV Heavy will launch in 2024 as ULA transitions its future missions from the East and West Coasts to the next generation Vulcan rocket.

Leveraging a legacy of 100 percent mission success launching more than 155 missions to explore, protect and enhance our world, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider with world-leading reliability, schedule confidence, and mission optimization. We deliver value unmatched by any launch services company in the industry, a tireless drive to improve, and commitment to the extraordinary. 

For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at [www.ulalaunch.com](https://www.ulalaunch.com/home), or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). 

[**NROL-68 Launch Blog**](https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/archived-launched/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-68)[**Mission Photo Album **](https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalaunch/albums/72177720306885230)

- [![Apple App Store Badge](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/App_Store_Badge.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ula-anywhere-ar/id1454852470)
- [![Google Play Store Badge](https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/google-play-badge.svg)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ula.anywherear&hl=en)

- <https://twitter.com/ulalaunch>
- <https://www.facebook.com/ulalaunch>
- <https://www.instagram.com/ulalaunch/>
- <https://www.linkedin.com/company/ulalaunch/>
- <https://www.youtube.com/user/UnitedLaunchAlliance>
- <https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalaunch>

 Copyright 2026 United Launch Alliance, LLC. All Rights Reserved [Privacy](https://www.ulalaunch.com//terms-and-conditions#anchor11) | [Terms of Use](https://www.ulalaunch.com//terms-and-conditions)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "ULA",
    "url" : "https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/author/ula"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-09-10T19:59:34.095Z",
  "datePublished" : "2023-06-22T20:16:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches the Penultimate Delta IV Heavy Rocket",
  "image" : [ "https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/hubfs/52993110639_6b876ed024_c-2.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-the-penultimate-delta-iv-heavy-rocket",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/vast.png"
    },
    "name" : "United Launch Alliance"
  }
}
```