US surveillance satellite in orbit after ‘picture-perfect’ launch from Calif. Air Force base

Surveillance satellite in orbit after Calif launch

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — A new Space Based Surveillance satellite is orbiting Earth after a successful launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the central California coast.

Diana Bell — a spokeswoman for the satellite’s builder Boeing — said Sunday it was a “picture-perfect” launch on a “beautiful” Saturday night for the Minotaur 4 rocket carrying the satellite.

Ball says the launch team was able to see the satellite for a long stretch on the warm, clear night.

A pair of Los Angeles television stations said they received several calls from viewers asking about the fireball they’d seen in the sky.

The satellite was designed to detect and monitor debris and space objects that could be a threat to national security and communications. It will be operated from Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.