Spy Satellite Launched From Calif. By Associated Press VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A secret satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office was launched into orbit Friday by a giant Titan 4B rocket. The Titan lifted off at 2:21 p.m. and the payload separated nine minutes later, the Air Force said. The mission was not disclosed. Technical problems had delayed the launch since Monday. Outside experts have said the satellite was likely equipped with a digital camera able to show objects as small as 4 inches diameter on the ground. The NRO builds and operates the nation's spy satellites. Prior to 1996, it did not publicly disclose the launches of its satellites. The launch was the 33rd of a Titan 4, the nation's largest unmanned launch vehicle. Four Titan 4 launches have failed, including three in 1998 and 1999. Built by Lockheed Martin, Titan 4s can put a 47,800-pound payload into low-Earth orbit or more than 12,700 pounds into geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles above the Earth. http://latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-classified-launch1005... I saw two shooting stars last night I wished on them but they were only satellites It's wrong to wish on space hardware I wish, I wish, I wish you'd care A new England Billy Bragg