Spy satellite could be used to track Nork launches

CBS Los Angeles:
It was actually a rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base Saturday evening carrying a top secret payload. The spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office launched just before 11 p.m. Seconds after the scheduled launch — the ship’s main engine and four rocket boosters — were off with a roar.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket is carrying a classified NROL-42 satellite.

Rocket scientist Olympia LePoint said the ship reached the speed of sound in 35 seconds.
...

Though classified, LePoint said we can still tell a lot about the mission because they are using the Atlas Five. The Atlas 5 rocket is one of the strongest, capable of carrying 18,000 pounds.

“It is a spy satellite that’s being delivered up into our upper atmosphere” LePoint said. “It’s our eyes and ears towards space.”

It’s rumored the ship’s cargo is a highly-specialized orbital camera that can give us larger-than-ever views of the Northern hemisphere. That could come in more than handy given our current political climate.

“Allow us to be able to see if anything is being launched that is supposed to be launched or isn’t supposed to be launched,” LePoint said.
...
It is not unusual to see new satellites being launch when there is a potential conflict.  My recollection is that satellites were launched before operations in Iraq began.  North Korea has been very active with launch vehicles of late and it would make sense to track each of that country's launch sites.

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