United Launch Alliance bid farewell to an era in U.S. rocketry with the final launch of its Delta 4 Heavy rocket, marking the end of a long-standing lineage dating back to the dawn of the space age.

The rocket, carrying a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, lifted off smoothly from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The mission, delayed by technical issues, concluded without incident, affirming the satellite’s successful deployment.

The retirement of the Delta 4 Heavy symbolizes a transition towards more cost-effective and versatile rockets like the Vulcan, as ULA adapts to the evolving demands of space exploration, CBS News has reported.

Despite the excitement for the future, the farewell to the Delta family, with its rich history spanning six decades, evokes a sense of nostalgia and pride among those involved in its legacy.

Written by B.C. Begley