The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and ULA successfully launched the USSF-51 mission aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket today at 6:45 a.m. EDT (3:45 a.m. Pacific) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex-41 in Florida. “Mission success” was declared by the SSC and ULA teams after spacecraft separation with the payload placed in its proper orbit approximately seven hours after liftoff.
“Outstanding! What a fantastic launch and a fitting conclusion for our last National Security Space Atlas V,” said Dr. Walt Lauderdale, USSF-51 mission director. “When we look back at how well Atlas V met our needs since our first launch in 2007, it illustrates the hard work and dedication from our nation’s industrial base. Together we made it happen and because of teams like this we have the most successful and thriving launch industry in the world, bar none.”
Originally contracted by the Air Force in the 1950s, Atlas stood alert as the United States’ first intercontinental ballistic missile during the Cold War era. Since then, the Atlas family has peacefully launched the first crewed spacecraft for Project Mercury and various uncrewed scientific missions for more than 60 years for both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Atlas rockets have lifted national security satellites for decades as well, including the first generation of Global Positioning System satellites through the latest weather, missile warning, wideband and secure communications spacecraft.
The Atlas family of launch vehicles has been a mainstay of the space program since 1957, successfully launching 683 times. Since the first Atlas V launch on March 9, 2007, the Atlas V has launched 53 National Security Space missions.
“As we wrap our last Atlas V NSSL mission, over 20 years, you remember the stats and the incredible capability we put into orbit, but also your teammates who put in the hard work, the attention to detail, the great care and follow-up,” said USSF Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader for SSC’s Launch Execution Delta. “It has truly been the workhorse for NSSL. I’m sure I speak for many when I say, we’re grateful for the success that this partnership has brought us, and we look forward to an exciting future as we transition to Vulcan.”
Assured Access to Space (AATS) executes the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) core competency of Space Mobility and Logistics. As part of the USSF’s Space Systems Command, AATS secures reliable and responsive launch services to deploy the space-based capabilities needed by our Nation’s warfighters, intelligence professionals, decision makers, allies, and partners. Additionally, AATS operates and sustains resilient and ready launch and test infrastructure to project on-orbit warfighting capability through all phases of conflict and to expand US economic, technological, and scientific leadership. Further, AATS delivers servicing, mobility, and logistics capabilities that operate in, from, and to the space domain.
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the DoD and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, and academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.