This was the first launch for ULA in 2009

Designated NROL-26, the mission is in support of national defense.This wasthe third Delta IV Heavy launch in Delta program history.A Delta IV Heavydemonstration flight occurred in December 2004, and the first Air Forceoperational mission was launched in November 2007."This first Delta IV Heavy launch for the NRO is the culmination of years ofhard work and dedication by the combined NRO, Air Force, supplier and ULAteam," said Jim Sponnick, ULA Vice President, Delta Product Line."Weappreciate the support from our mission partners in achieving this milestone. ULA is pleased to contribute to our nation's security, and to continue ourstrong partnership with the NRO.We look forward to launching many more NROmissions on ULA's Delta IV Medium, Delta IV Heavy and Atlas V vehicles."The ULA Delta IV Heavy vehicle featured a center common booster core with twostrap-on common booster cores.Each common booster core was powered by theRS-68 cryogenic engine.An RL10B-2 cryogenic engine powered the second stage. Both engines are built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.The payload wasencased by a 5-meter diameter (16.7-foot diameter) aluminum, tri-sectorpayload fairing.ULA constructed the Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle inDecatur, Ala.This was the first launch for ULA in 2009.ULA's next launch is NASA's NOAA-NPrime mission currently scheduled for Feb. Straps attached to giant cranes were used around the fuselage and wings of the Airbus 320 (EAD.PA) which sat in the Hudson River at Battery Park since its crash landing on Thursday afternoon several miles upriver.

The plane was to be towed away for examination by investigators probing the accident in which all 155 passengers and crew survived, most escaping serious injury. The National Transportation Safety Board said one engine was still attached to the plane, contrary to earlier reports that both engines had come apart, while the one still missing might have been located by sonar. NTSB officials also conducted interviews with the plane's pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, co-pilot and other crew members on Saturday. "We could not be more happy that we got everyone off the airplane safely," NTSB spokeswoman Kitty Higgins quoted Sullenberger as saying He praised the crew's professionalism in handling the crash. Higgins said Sullenberger was asked during the emergency about landing the crippled plane at New York's LaGuardia Airport, where it had taken off from minutes earlier, or another airport, and he replied: "We can't do it. We're going to be in the Hudson." That was the last communication from the plane.

The pilot and co-pilot both spotted a flock of birds just before the emergency, and Sullenberger told investigators that he suddenly saw the plane's windscreen filled with birds and then smelled "burning birds," Higgins said. Records showed a time lapse of about five minutes from takeoff to impact, she said. Crowds of onlookers turned out by the Hudson on a frigid afternoon to witness the complex operation, which was delayed several hours due to ice buildup in the river and around the plane. People posed for pictures in the foreground of the semi-submerged plane, saying it was history and an experience they wanted to document. The salvage operation, in which the plane was raised slowly and deliberately in order to allow for water to drain out, extended into the night. Officials said it would continue until the plane was removed from the water and moved onto the barge. Authorities said the flooded craft weighed around 1 million pounds (500 tonnes).(Editing by Mohammad Zargham).

It is is very important for Coyotes to have a good start to the season is considering this past offseason was one of the worst the franchise and its fans. I myself have been a fan of the team from the day they left Winnipeg The first five seasons or so went great. For the past seven years, the Coyotes have served mostly as one of the laughing stocks of the National Hockey League. Being from Winnipeg, I think it is even harder to be a Phoenix Coyotes fan. I constantly get heckled by family and friends on how bad of a team the Coyotes are. Well at least my brother is a big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs so I get to heckle him a lot especially this season with the Leaf's horrible start. I actually have a few Phoenix Coyotes decals on my car to show that I'm a proud Coyotes fan. The people of Winnipeg dislike the Coyotes so much that someone put "Phoenix Sucks" stickers on the back of my car.