Classified US spy satellite launched from California

WASHINGTON - 25 September 2017: A spy satellite for the US National Reconnaissance Office has been launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Fox News reported Sunday.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket carrying the classified NROL-42 satellite lifted off Saturday. All systems were going well when the launch webcast concluded about three minutes into the flight.

National Reconnaissance Office satellites gather intelligence information for US national security and an array of other purposes including assessing impacts of natural disasters.

US officials have not revealed what the spacecraft will be doing or what its orbit will be.

United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing.