USA-80 was launched at 03:20:00 UTC on 10 April 1992, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D208, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration. The launch took place from Launch Complex 17B (LC-17B) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), and placed USA-80 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.
