On January 12, 2016 at 22:11 UTC the " Delta 4” rocket-carrier was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, USA. The launch was performed by United Launch Alliance supported by the 30th Space Wing of US Air Force. The rocket orbited the payload named as NROL-47 for the National Reconnaissance Office. The NROL (National Reconnaissance Office Launch) abbreviation is used to identify classified satellites operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office.