ATLAS LAUNCH SCHEDULED Published Oct. 7, 2015 By 011015 VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-3 here Thursday, Oct. 8, with a launch window opening at 5:00 a.m. PDT. Col. J. Christopher Moss, 30th Space Wing commander, will be the launch decision authority. "We are excited and ready to take on our first Atlas launch of 2015," said Moss. "Our team and mission partners have put a lot of hard work into preparing for this important mission for our nation." The 4th Space Launch Squadron is in charge of mission assurance and safety for this launch operation. "A launch like this takes teamwork and dedication," said Lt. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, 4th SLS commander. "Our mission assurance technicians and engineers have worked hand-in-hand with United Launch Alliance going over critical procedures and tasks to ensure this launch is a safe and successful one."