Top secret spy satellite costing $1billion launched into space aboard America's largest, most powerful rocket

The Delta IV is 235 feet tall and generates 17million horsepower per engine

The payload, known as NROL-65, is believed to be a ultra-advanced $1billion spy satellite

The mission launched from a California Air Force base

The largest rocket in America launched a spy satellite Wednesday from California.

Taking off from Vandenburg Air Force Base, the Delta IV-Heavy rocket lifted off just after 2pm Wednesday afternoon. The highly secretive payload, known as NROL-65, is believed to be the most advanced spy satellite ever launched.

It is not known what intelligence will be gathered by the latest addition to the US spy network.

‘Today's launch is dedicated to the men and women who serve for our nation's freedom,’ said a commentator early in the launch.

See video of the launch below



Liftoff: An unmanned Delta 4 Heavy rocket, the largest booster in in the U.S. fleet, carries the NROL-65 into orbit

The giant rocket is built by ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, according to the contractor’s site. It stands 235-feet-tall and generates two million pounds of thrust, according to ULA. The largest and by far most powerful rocke t in America, it was first built in 2004, said the contractor in a statement .

The massive hydrogen-fueled engines provided 17million horsepower each and took less than three minutes to consume half their weight in fuel, according to the LA Times and a ULA webcast of the launch.

The largest in America: The Delta IV stands 235 feet tall and generates 2million pounds of thrust

Top secret: The NROL-65 is believed to be a $1billion satellite able to determine a car;s make and model from hundreds of miles above

Delta rockets have made over 360 flights, with the Delta IV’s making 24. Eight of those flights have been for the National Reconnaissance Office, the contractor noted.

The NRO is responsible for building and operating the US’ spy satellites.

NROL-65 is believed to be a $1billion ‘high -powered spy satellite capable of snapping pictures detailed enough to distinguish the make and model of an automobile hundreds of miles below,’ reported the Los Angeles Times .

And it's gone: In only a few minutes, the rocket was almost out of sight to the naked eye

Big as it may be, the Delta IV is about to lose king of the hill status to the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NAS A)’s Space Launch System des igned to send the Orion spacecraft towards asteroids and to Mars.

SLS will come in at 321 feet tall, eventually evolving into a 3845-foot-tall beast capable of taking 130 metric tons into space. It is expected to come on line in 2017.