Delta IV Heavy rocket finally lifts off after hours of delays

A Delta IV Heavy rocket has finally managed to blast off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station after a series of technical difficulties Friday morning.

The rocket soared into the nearly-perfect skies over the Space Coast at 9:15 a.m. following three delays in the countdown.

Liftoff was initially scheduled for 6:13 a.m., but just a few officials said a high voltage reading tripped an alarm as the rocket transitioned to internal battery power.

Engineers resolved that issue, but then ran into another problem when the rocket's oxygen valve did not close as expected on two separate occasions.

After the second valve malfunction, the launch team decided to perform five test cycles to evaluate the problem.

The valves performed as expected during those tests, allowing crews to finally get the Delta IV Heavy rocket off the ground a little over three hours later than initially scheduled.

On board is a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, the second such satellite sent into space in as many weeks.

The United Launch Alliance also launched an Atlas V rocket carrying another spy satellite into orbit June 20.

The satellites could be used for anything from surveillance to eavesdropping.

Elsewhere on the Space Coast, NASA has other activities happening at the Kennedy Space Center.

Crews are moving space shuttle Atlantis from its hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The retired shuttle has already been decommissioned, but crews are moving it so it can work on the hangar to prepare it for future spacecraft that may call it home.

Atlantis is the only shuttle staying in Florida. It will eventually move to the KSC Visitor Complex, where it will be on permanent display.

Shuttle Endeavour is also still at the Kennedy Space Center, but it's getting ready to fly to its new home in Los Angeles this fall.

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