Delta IV Heavy retires after decades of service with secret mission

The rocket, managed by United Launch Alliance (ULA), lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at approximately 1pm EDT (1700 GMT). This launch comes after a 12-day delay due to a technical issue encountered during a previous attempt. Standing at approximately 23 stories tall, the Delta IV Heavy ascended into the sky amidst partly cloudy conditions, as seen in a live webcast by ULA.