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Sateliot prepares for commercial ops following the successful launch of 4 new satellites

August 16, 2024

Sateliot has successfully launched four additional satellites as part of the company’s 5G NB-IoT NTN constellation— these satellites, designed to extend the coverage of Mobile Telecom Operators to 100% of the planet, were deployed via the SpaceX Transporter-11 mission.

The launch occurred on Friday, August 16, at 20:18 CET, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. A special event in Barcelona brought together the Sateliot family and key stakeholders to witness the launch live, featuring support from ESA, GSMA, the Spanish Government, and more.

Presented by Josep Calatayud, director of the “Control de Misión” YouTube channel , the event featured interviews with shareholders, authorities, and employees. Co-founders Jaume Sanpera (CEO) and Marco Guadalupi (CTO) provided in-depth explanations and forecasts for Sateliot’s future.

Re-watch the entire event at this direct link…

Inspired by Antoni Gaudí‘s iconic dragon, the mission badge for ‘Revolution‘ symbolizes the resilience of Sateliot’s technology and the company’s global ambitions. The four flames represent each newly launched satellite, with the multicolored fragments foreshadowing a constellation of more than 100 satellites by 2028. It also represents the revolution of the 5G NB-IoT NTN standard as Sateliot is presented with the opportunity to transform industries worldwide; regardless of location or infrastructure, connectivity black spots will become a thing of the past.

The technology incorporates enhancements from previous satellites and is the first constellation to implement standard GSMA and 3GPP developments fully on satellites. In addition to providing commercial services, Sateliot aims to use these advancements to continue leading the NTN community in future innovations.. Sateliot’s approach, featuring its patented “Store and Forward” technology, offers unparalleled global connectivity with its new orbital plane.

Additionally, the company is advancing a certification program for commercial terminals to expedite the integration of their service into the market. Looking ahead, Sateliot plans to deploy additional satellites by 2025 and is actively engaged in discussions to secure a Series B funding round of 30 million euros.

Since its founding in 2018, Sateliot has raised 25 million euros and aims to achieve revenues of 1 billion euros by 2030. Sateliot’s technology, which initially will connect more than eight million devices from companies that have already contracted the service, is characterized by its democratic and accessible nature. It is designed to support a wide range of use cases for SMEs, public administrations, and large enterprises in sectors such as agriculture, livestock, logistics, and critical infrastructures.

“This launch propels us into a new phase of development,” said Jaume Sanpera, CEO and co-founder of Sateliot. “Not only will we begin generating revenue, but we will also position Spain as a global leader in IoT connectivity.”

SpaceX launches Maxar’s WorldView 3 & 4 Earth imaging satellites

August 15, 2024

***On Thursday, August 15, SpaceX launched Maxar’s WorldView 3 & 4 Earth imaging satellites. Photo captured by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.***

On Thursday, August 15, a warm summer Florida morning at 9:00 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the Maxar 2 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

***On Thursday, August 15, just as SpaceX launched Maxar’s WorldView 3 & 4 Earth imaging satellites Satnews captured this image from SpaceX’s video stream.***

These are the second pair of six planned WorldView Legion satellites, which will enhance Maxar Intelligence’s constellation by delivering industry-leading resolution and accuracy. When all six WorldView Legion satellites are launched, it will triple Maxar Intelligence’s capacity to collect 30 cm-class and multispectral imagery. The full Maxar constellation of 10 electro-optical satellites will image the most rapidly changing areas on Earth as frequently as every 20 to 30 minutes, from sunup to sundown.

***On Thursday, August 15, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster successfully returned after the WorldView 3 & 4 Earth Imaging satellites’ launch. Photo captured by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.***

This was the 16th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster B1076 supporting this mission that landed 7:48 minutes later at Landing Zone 1, about six miles from where it had launched only minutes before. Moments later, a pair of sonic booms sounded the booster’s return. This booster previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, O3b mPOWER, Ovzon 3, Eutelsat 36D, Turksat 6A, and eight Starlink missions.

SpaceX ready to go tomorrow with Maxar 2’s WorldView Legion 3-4 satellites mission

On Thursday, May 2 at 11:36 a.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched the Maxar 1 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photo captured by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, August 15 for launch of the Maxar 2 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 60-minute window opens at 9:00 a.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Friday, August 16 with a three-hour window opening at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Maxar 2 is the second of three missions with Maxar to deliver their six WorldView Legion satellites to orbit. Earlier this year, Falcon 9 launched the first two WorldView Legion satellites to orbit from California.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.

This will be the 16th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, O3b mPOWER, Ovzon 3, Eutelsat 36D, Turksat 6A, and eight Starlink missions. After stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX ready to send second pair of WorldView Legion 3-4 satellites

**The first two WorldView Legion spacecraft are shown here at Maxar Space Systems’ manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, California, ahead of shipment to launch base.**

SpaceX will be launching Maxar’s WorldView Legion satellites on Thursday, August 15 between 6 – 9 am PDT, date and time may change. Two WorldView Legion satellites built by Maxar Space Systems for Maxar Intelligence arrived and are preparing for launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

**An aperture cover protects WorldView Legion’s instrument during launch, which is seen here in Maxar Space Systems’ manufacturing facility in California.**

“WorldView Legion will extend the quality and capability of our industry-leading constellation, redefining Earth observation constellation performance and providing customers with unprecedented access to timely, actionable insights that help drive mission success,” said Dan Smoot, Maxar Intelligence CEO.

These Maxar Space Systems-built satellites are the first Maxar 500™ series buses to complete production at the company’s satellite manufacturing locations in Palo Alto and San Jose, California. The Maxar 500 series bus is a mid-size platform that can be tailored for multiple missions and orbits. As part of the WorldView Legion program, Maxar invested to create a bus with better stability, agility and pointing accuracy; future Maxar 500 customers can benefit from this technology for their missions.

“WorldView Legion and the Maxar 500 series platform is the culmination of decades of experience in building satellites for customer missions,” said Chris Johnson, Maxar Space Systems CEO. “We are excited to reach this important program milestone and look forward to continued partnership on the program.”

The launch of the first two WorldView Legion satellites will be broadcast on spacex.com and on x.com/spacex.

SpaceX set for second pair of WorldView Legion satellites now in Florida for launch

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The next two WorldView Legion satellites, which will be the company’s first spacecraft in MIO, are seen here at Maxar Space Systems’ manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, California, shortly before shipment to the launch site.

Drumroll, please: Our next two WorldView Legion satellites have arrived in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and are being prepped for the Maxar 2 mission on a @SpaceX Falcon 9! These will be our first satellites in mid-inclination orbit.

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Maxar team members greet the second set of WorldView Legion satellites upon the spacecrafts’ arrival at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

The satellites are the second set of next-generation WorldView Legion spacecraft built by Maxar Space Systems for Maxar Intelligence. The first two WorldView Legion satellites launched in May 2024 aboard a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and their first high-resolution, 30 cm-class images were released earlier this month.

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One of the first WorldView Legion images, collected July 16, 2024, of San Francisco City Hall in California. The high-resolution image reveals many small details, including solar panels, lane markings and streetlamps. Such information is essential to build foundational maps for government use cases, consumer applications and mobility and logistics planning.

When all six WorldView Legion satellites are operational, they will help enhance the capabilities of Maxar’s Earth observation constellation:

Maxar’s capacity to collect 30 cm-class imagery with triple;
The constellation will be able to collect more than 6 million sq km of imagery daily;
And Maxar will be able to collect imagery of rapidly changing and high-interest areas on Earth as frequently as every 20 to 30 minutes.

The MIO advantage

The WorldView Legion spacecraft currently being prepared for launch will be the first Maxar satellites in MIO, meaning they will orbit around Earth’s mid-latitudes rather than over its poles in a sun-synchronous orbit, where the rest of Maxar’s constellation operates. The final two WorldView Legions will also be launched into MIO.

Satellites in sun-synchronous orbit usually collect imagery from mid-morning to early afternoon. By expanding to MIO, Maxar’s constellation offers several advantages:

Better temporal diversity: Images can be collected at various times throughout the day, enabling dawn-to-dusk collection worldwide.
Faster monitoring: Maxar customers can monitor more areas of interest quickly and frequently.
Improved observation: Better visibility in regions often obscured by morning fog.

With satellites in both sun-synchronous and mid-inclination orbits, Maxar provides a broader range of data to meet diverse mission needs.

Maxar plans to launch all six WorldView Legion satellites by the end of the year, which will more than double the size of its constellation from four to 10 satellites. By growing the constellation and expanding into MIO, Maxar will achieve near real-time monitoring and dramatically reduce the sensor-to-decision timeline for end users. This will be a game-changer when time is critical during 24/7 national security missions, humanitarian crises and natural disasters.

The launch of the next two WorldView Legion satellites will be broadcast on spacex.com and on x.com/spacex.

SpaceX launches Space Norway Arctic Satellite Broadband mission on a foggy California evening

August 11, 2024

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With one million pounds of fuel a foggy California Pacific Ocean site was the scene of SpaceX’s launch of Space Norway Arctic Satellite Broadband mission. Liftoff was exactly at 7:02 PDT from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which is stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. Air Force provides the Extremely High Frequency eXtended Data Rate payloads on ASBM satellites as part of the Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization (EPS-R) program.

The Enhanced Polar System (EPS) provides protected tactical extremely high frequency (EHF) satellite communications in the North Polar Region. EPS is the next-generation tactical SATCOM system that replaces the Interim Polar System (IPS) and serves as a polar adjunct to the Advanced EHF (AEHF) satellite constellation. The EPS Recapitalization (EPS-R) program will extend the polar capability provided by EPS until the fielding of the next-generation Protected Tactical SATCOM (PTS) system expected to launch in the early 2030s.

SpaceX is finally ready for Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, August 11 for a Falcon 9 launch of the Space Norway Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) to Molniya transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 7:02 p.m. PT. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Monday, August 12 at 6:58 p.m. PT.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.

This is the 22nd flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, Korea 425, Maxar 1, and 10 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX to launch Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission August 11-12

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After a delay from the original launch date of July 15th, 2024, SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission August 11-12, consisting of two satellites owned by Space Norway. The Falcon 9 will launch the two Northrop Grumman-built satellites into a highly elliptical orbit that lingers over the Arctic region. The satellites carry communications payloads for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, the U.S. Space Force, and Inmarsat.

The launch will take place at SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, at 7 p.m. PDT (10 p.m. EDT, 0200 UTC).

ASBM (Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission) 1 & 2 are two twin satellites built by Northrop Grumman for Space Norway, in cooperation with Inmarsat and the Norwegian Ministry of Defence.

They are designed to bring mobile broadband coverage in the Arctic for both civilians and military.

EPS-R serves as a prime example of how SSC, U.S. Space Force, and its allied partners are stronger together to deliver valued space capabilities on both fronts. The ASBM mission is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California aboard a SpaceX launch vehicle in 2024.

“The accomplishment of this key milestone was truly a joint effort and speaks to the outstanding teamwork between Northrop Grumman and our EPS-R program office. The team received and coordinated an enormous amount of technical data which was critical to verify that all segment and element requirements were met. We look forward to the new ground system entering operations,” said 1st Lt. Brooke Kunzelman, SSC EPS-R Ground Segment lead.

The US Air Force provides the Extremely High Frequency eXtended Data Rate payloads on ASBM satellites as part of the Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization (EPS-R) program.

SpaceX to launch Northrop Gumman’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission for Space Norway

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SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will launch ASBM (Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission) 1 & 2, two twin satellites built by Northrop Grumman for Space Norway, in cooperation with Inmarsat and the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, on Monday, July 15th, 2024 from 8:40 PM – 9:30 PM PDT from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, California. They are designed to bring mobile broadband coverage in the Arctic for both civilians and military and the launch costs $52 million.

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SSC’s EPS-R payloads will be hosted aboard the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) being
procured by Space Norway. SSC’s continued success with EPS-R stems, in part, from its international partnered relationship with the Norway Ministry of Defence and Space Norway.

The U.S. Air Force provides the Extremely High Frequency eXtended Data Rate payloads on ASBM satellites as part of the Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization (EPS-R) program.

UPDATE Boeing has a problem — too many astronauts and not enough ISS parking spaces

July 31, 2024

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft that launched NASA’s Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station is pictured docked to the Harmony module’s forward port. Credit: NASA

NASA will be sending more astronauts to the ISS in the next few weeks shuttled by SpaceX however the two stranded NASA astronauts taken aboard Boeing’s Starliner, and delivered to the ISS on June 6, have yet to return home due to technical difficulties with the space vehicle. As the astronauts approached the ISS several of the Starliner’s thrusters malfunctioned due to what NASA identified as “five small helium leaks in the spacecraft’s service module.”

That, in and of itself, is one issue. The new logistical issue is that there aren’t enough parking ports at the ISS to accommodate the USA. NASA and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom mission to the ISS with a four-person voyage will take place “no earlier than August 18.”

Houston we have a problem…

Here’s the problem for the ISS Meter Maid/Person, so to speak: the ISS has six docking ports, four on the Russian side and two on the U.S. side, and both U.S. ports are currently occupied and the Russian ports are not compatible.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavour is occupying one spot that taxied the Crew-8 mission in March with four astronauts aboard that is not scheduled to return until sometime in the fall. The other parking slot is occupied by Boeing’s Starliner which is waylaid due to faulty thrusters. Therein lies the scrub.

***Yesterdays photo is poignant when reviewing the courage necessary to endure the tension of such an incredible mission. Satnews reports***
***At the last few minutes the astronauts’ nerves are beginning to show. Photo captured on Saturday, June 1, by Satnews from ULA video stream.***

On Saturday, the Starliner crew and ground teams completed a test to evaluate the spacecraft’s propulsion system that NASA’s Commercial Crew program said would inform an upcoming “agency readiness review” for Williams and Wilmore’s return to Earth.

Boeing’s update

The Starliner team completed a docked hot fire test of the spacecraft’s Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters Saturday afternoon, and monitored its helium system, providing additional data points for the Crew Flight Test’s return to Earth.

With Starliner flight director Chloe Mehring at the helm and Boeing engineers on console monitoring the spacecraft’s systems, flight controllers commanded the sequential firing of 27 RCS thrusters.

“The integrated teams between Starliner and ISS worked extremely well together this week to finalize and safely execute the docked hotfire sequence,” said Mehring, who will lead the Starliner flight control team in the upcoming undocking from the International Space Station.

“Both teams were very happy with the results.”

The one-pulse firings were designed to confirm the performance of each thruster. Aft-facing thrusters were fired for 1.2 seconds and all others for .40 seconds. Between each firing, the team reviewed real-time data and all thrusters performed at peak thrust rating values, ranging from 97-102%. The helium system also remained stable. Additionally, an RCS oxidizer isolation valve that was not fully seated previously, was cycled several times during today’s testing and is now operating normally.

This is the second time the spacecraft has been hot fired successfully while docked, an integrated operation the station and Starliner teams will also conduct during future long-duration missions.

Flight test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were inside Starliner Calypso giving the team on the ground real-time feedback during the test. In preparation for the return home, Wilmore and Williams will participate in two undock to landing simulations next week.

A Flight Test Readiness Review is tentatively planned for late next week, and the data gathered today will be reviewed and included in return flight rationale. While a landing date has not yet been set, opportunities are available throughout August.

“I’m very confident we have a good vehicle to bring the crew back with,” Mark Nappi, Starliner program manager and vice president, said during a July 25 news conference.

BTW…Boeing’s new CEO

After a core operating loss of $1.4 billion in Boeing’s second quarter that exceeded more than triple the loss from the previous year, Boeing announced a new CEO. Boeing will pay Kelly Ortberg an annual base salary of $1.5 million, as well as incentives for next year valued at $20.5 million, according to a company securities filing, and will receive $1.25 million in cash and other compensation valued at $16 million.

By the dawn’s early light ULA launches USSF-51 secret mission and grand finale for Atlas rocket

July 30, 2024

Photo captured ***from Florida*** ***on Tuesday, July 30, by Satnews from ULA’s video stream.***

United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched the company’s 100^th national security mission to orbit with the launch of an Atlas V rocket on July 30 at 6:45 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket, carrying the USSF-51 mission for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC), marks a key milestone in a longstanding legacy of dedication to national security. ULA has launched 100 of the 118 critical U.S. Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) missions flown since ULA was formed in December 2006.

“It’s incredibly gratifying to reflect on the steadfast partnership we’ve been honored to share with the U.S. Space Force since the founding of ULA,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue building on this trusted partnership and take very seriously the responsibility of promptly launching essential National Security Space satellite assets to orbit amidst the heightened threat environment our nation is facing in space.”

USSF-51 marks the final national security mission launched aboard the Atlas V rocket as ULA prepares to launch future National Security Space (NSS) missions on the next generation Vulcan rocket. Vulcan’s inaugural launch this past January marked the beginning of a new era of space capabilities by providing higher performance and greater affordability through the world’s only high energy architecture rocket designed to deliver any payload, at any time, to any orbit.

“The Atlas family of rockets has played a pivotal role in the advancement of national security and space superiority since the 1950s,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “Although today marks the final liftoff of a National Security Space mission aboard an Atlas rocket, we look forward to extending a legacy of outstanding teamwork and collaboration with the U.S. Space Force as we launch future missions for our national security partners aboard the Vulcan rocket.”

ULA’s next launch is the second certification flight (Cert-2) of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Vulcan will also launch USSF-106 and USSF-87, two critical NSS missions, to orbit later this year.

GO! ULA for Tuesday’s U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command secret mission launch and the last national security mission for Atlas V, Vulcan is next rocket in future

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Everything continues to progress towards the ULA Atlas V launch carrying the USSF-51 mission for the United States Spaces Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC). The mission is planned to lift off on Tuesday, July 30 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is planned for 6:45 a.m. EDT. Today’s forecast shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

Launch Forecast Summary:

Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
Primary concerns: Cumulus Cloud Rule, Anvil Cloud Rules
Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24-hour delay: 15%
Primary concern: Cumulus Cloud Rule

ULA is proud to play its part in launching critical satellites to protect and serve U.S. warfighters and allies around the world. The Atlas V USSF-51 mission on Tuesday is the 100th ULA launch dedicated to national security. The payload for this mission is classified and is for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC). No other information is publicly available.

“The Atlas V USSF-51 mission on Tuesday is the 100th ULA launch dedicated to national security.” They also note that this is the last national security mission for Atlas V, and that future missions will be aboard the company’s new rocket, Vulcan.

ULA Update: Go! Atlas V USSF-51 mission on Tuesday

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The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) has given approval to continue preparations for Tuesday’s liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on the USSF-51 mission for U.S. Space Force.

Liftoff is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. EDT (1045 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

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The LRR, led by ULA Launch Director Steve Huff, was completed this morning at the Advanced Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC). Leadership from ULA and the Space Force assessed the readiness of the rocket, payload and mission assets, discussed the status of pre-flight processing work, heard technical overviews of the countdown and flight, and previewed the weather forecast that projects an 80 percent chance of meeting the launch rules.

At the conclusion of the meeting, senior leaders were polled and gave a ready status for launch, then signed the Launch Readiness Certificate.

The Atlas V 551 rocket, designated AV-101, stands 196 feet (59.7 meters) tall and will weigh 1.29 million pounds (587,000 kg) when fully fueled at liftoff.

The Atlas V 551 is the highest performance configuration of the rocket family with a full complement of five solid rocket boosters. It first flew in 2006 and has launched the New Horizons spacecraft to Pluto, the Juno orbiter to Jupiter and multiple national security payloads.

ULA will offer live reports from launch control in our automatically-refreshing blog beginning Tuesday at 3:30 a.m. EDT (0730 UTC). The launch webcast starts at 6:25 a.m. EDT (1025 UTC).

The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) has given approval to continue preparations for Tuesday’s liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on the USSF-51 mission for U.S. Space Force.

Liftoff is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. EDT (1045 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Launch Forecast Summary

Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%

Primary concerns: Cumulus Cloud Rule, Anvil Cloud Rules

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24-hour delay: 20%

Primary concern: Cumulus Cloud Rule, Anvil Cloud Rules

UPDATE: USSF-51 is ULA’s 100th national security milestone launch

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The USSF-51 payload is raised into position atop the Atlas V. Photo by United Launch Alliance

The milestone 100th launch in service to U.S. national security by United Launch Alliance (ULA) is in the final stages of preparations for ascent into space on July 30 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) in Florida.

 ULA will use an Atlas V 551 rocket to launch the classified USSF-51 mission for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC).  

Stacking of the 196-foot-tall (60-meter) rocket began June 25 when the first stage was trucked from ULA’s Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) to the Vertical Integration Facility-G (VIF-G) adjacent to Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 for hoisting aboard the Mobile Launch Platform. 

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The Atlas V first stage is lifted into the VIF. Photo by United Launch Alliance

Powered by refined kerosene propellant, the stage’s main engine will generate 860,200 pounds (3.83 mega-Newtons) of thrust to propel the Atlas V out of the atmosphere during the initial minutes of flight. 

The following days were spent installing five GEM 63 solid rocket boosters (SRBs) on the sides of Atlas V. The 66-foot-long (20-m) boosters will be ignited at liftoff to augment the first stage and provide two-thirds of the power at launch, each delivering 371,550 pounds (1.6 mega-Newtons) of thrust for approximately 90 seconds. 

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Centaur is hoisted into position atop Atlas V. Photo by United Launch Alliance

The Centaur upper stage was lifted into the VIF and connected to the first stage on July 2. The cryogenic stage’s single RL10C-1-1 engine—a new and higher performing variant of the venerable engine family—burns liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to produce 23,825 pounds (106 kilo-Newtons) of thrust. 

The USSF-51 payload arrived at the VIF on July 17 and was lifted atop the rocket to complete assembly of the launch vehicle.  It is encapsulated in a 17.7-foot-diameter (5.4 m) composite payload fairing measuring 68 feet (20.7 m) in height. 

This Atlas V rocket, designated AV-101, will weigh 1.29 million pounds (587,000 kg) once fully fueled for liftoff. It leaves the pad on 2.7 million pounds (12 megaNewtons) of thrust. 

The USSF-51 mission marks the conclusion of national security launches using the Atlas V fleet as ULA transitions to the next generation, highly flexible Vulcan rocket for continued access to space.  

Atlas V served the Air Force, Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office for 17 years with 100 percent launch success, accomplishing missions to low-, medium-, transfer and geosynchronous orbits across the entire performance range of the Atlas V configurations.

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Atlas V stands ready to launch USSF-51. Photo by United Launch Alliance

ULA continues as a steadfast partner to the Space Force, fulfilling the rigorous, unique requirements needed to launch tremendous capabilities safely and successfully into space for our national defense and the protection of the country’s allies around the world. We have delivered 99 national security missions to orbit successfully since the company was created in 2006, representing 62 percent of our flight history, using Atlas V, Delta II and Delta IV rockets. 

Our launch record played a key part in the successful recapitalization effort to modernize and upgrade the full breadth of U.S. capabilities in space, advancing communications, overhead surveillance and navigation systems that serve the warfighter in harm’s way. 

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ULA’s national security launch history. Illustration by United Launch Alliance

Space is the new battlefield high ground; a strategic warfighting domain and space launch is a strategic national capability. ULA is unleashing the energy of American ingenuity by developing Vulcan to meet our nation’s need for expanding space missions.  

Vulcan incorporates the best of the legacy Atlas and Delta rockets to create one launch solution that is adaptable, affordable and meets the full spectrum of needs demanded by complex national security satellite deployment missions.

ULA’s Atlas V rocket to launch USSF-51 for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command

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The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the USSF-51 mission for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) is scheduled for July 30, 2024 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The cost is $153.0 million.

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket will launch the USSF-51 mission for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC). Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This is the 100th ULA launch dedicated to national security.

The USSF-51 mission marks the 58th and final national security launch on Atlas V as ULA transitions to the next generation Vulcan rocket for continued access to space. Vulcan incorporates the best of the legacy Atlas and Delta rockets to create one launch solution that is flexible, affordable and meets the full spectrum of needs demanded by complex national security satellite deployment missions.

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Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with Boeing. Each Atlas V rocket uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen to power its first stage and an American-built RL10 engine burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its Centaur upper stage.

The RD-180 engines are provided by RD Amross, while Aerojet Rocketdyne provides both the RL10 engines and the strap-on boosters used in some configurations. The standard payload fairing sizes are 4 or 5 meters in diameter and of various lengths. Fairings sizes as large as 7.2 m in diameter and up to 32.3 m in length have been considered. The rocket is assembled in Decatur, Alabama and Harlingen, Texas.

ULA Update: Go! Atlas V USSF-51 mission on Tuesday

July 28, 2024

The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) has given approval to continue preparations for Tuesday’s liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on the USSF-51 mission for U.S. Space Force.

Liftoff is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. EDT (1045 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.