"Atlas V Rocket Prepares for 'Silent Barker' Spysat Launch"

United Launch Alliance (ULA) has rolled its Atlas V rocket to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in preparation for the launch of the "Silent Barker" mission, a joint effort between the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The mission aims to enhance the NRO's intelligence capabilities by providing timely information for national decision makers and supporting humanitarian efforts. The Atlas V has a successful track record with 97 launches to date, and ULA plans to replace it with the Vulcan Centaur rocket in the future.