Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22  (Read 311112 times)

Online Chris Bergin

LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« on: 04/05/2010 11:30 pm »
Specific launch thread for the Atlas V launch of the "baby orbiter".

Launch Preview - By William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/04/live-atlas-v-launch-x-37b-otv/


ULA Mission Booklet:
« Last Edit: 04/22/2010 05:17 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline rkoenn

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #1 on: 04/08/2010 11:31 am »
Apparently they are transferring the X-37B in the shroud from Titusville to the pad this morning.  One of our NASA guys coming in this morning noticed quite a bit of commotion at the visitors center and noted that the spacecraft and shroud were stopped in the road near the visitors center.  There were numerous fire trucks and firemen in the area.  He later learned that the transporter system had a hydraulic failure which was not hardware threatening but we usually carry things to extremes out here so it turned into a big circus.  Also because of the sensitivity of this payload security is very tight and breaking down in the road really upsets those guys too.  I am glad I don't come in from that direction.  When I came through HQ area I noticed they had two security vehicles blocking the exit from out of KSC towards Titusville.

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #2 on: 04/08/2010 12:07 pm »

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #3 on: 04/08/2010 12:10 pm »
« Last Edit: 04/08/2010 12:12 pm by Ronsmytheiii »

Offline rkoenn

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #4 on: 04/08/2010 12:13 pm »
It is passing by the OSB on the way to Pad 41 at the moment.  In fact I just looked out the window and it was turning the corner onto the road pass the VAB towards Pad 39A.  I guess it was a better route then crossing the KSC\Cape bridge.  I remember back in 1975 when they brought the Viking spacecraft out on the same route on the way to the Titan pads.  They were on the opposite side of SR3 near the VAB and they made us pull the car off the road and turn off the engine as the transporter passed by.

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #5 on: 04/08/2010 12:14 pm »
« Last Edit: 04/08/2010 12:18 pm by Ronsmytheiii »

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #6 on: 04/08/2010 12:21 pm »

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #7 on: 04/08/2010 12:31 pm »
« Last Edit: 04/08/2010 12:32 pm by Ronsmytheiii »

Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #8 on: 04/08/2010 02:05 pm »
I guess it was a better route then crossing the KSC\Cape bridge.

It can't handle the weight.  All payloads going from Astrotech to SLC-41 or SLC-37 go by LC-39.

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #9 on: 04/08/2010 02:56 pm »
Movement of the X-37 in this manner just has that surreal Fritz Lang SciFi feel...
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Offline edkyle99

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #10 on: 04/08/2010 03:06 pm »
Apparently they are transferring the X-37B in the shroud from Titusville to the pad this morning.  One of our NASA guys coming in this morning noticed quite a bit of commotion at the visitors center and noted that the spacecraft and shroud were stopped in the road near the visitors center.  There were numerous fire trucks and firemen in the area.  He later learned that the transporter system had a hydraulic failure which was not hardware threatening but we usually carry things to extremes out here so it turned into a big circus.  ...

The plan was likely to accomplish this transfer during the pre-dawn hours.  Some officials not happy with the extra attention this morning I suspect.   

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 04/08/2010 03:07 pm by edkyle99 »

Online Jeff Lerner

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #11 on: 04/08/2010 03:19 pm »
May not be appropriate for this thread..if not, Mods please delete....

I'm going to be in Florida on the 19th...short drive for me to the Cape area....just wondering if there is "best" place to watch this launch ???...Visitors Center ??...other location ???

Offline WHAP

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #12 on: 04/08/2010 03:27 pm »
May not be appropriate for this thread..if not, Mods please delete....

I'm going to be in Florida on the 19th...short drive for me to the Cape area....just wondering if there is "best" place to watch this launch ???...Visitors Center ??...other location ???

Although this thread is for the shuttle, a lot of the information applies, unless you have access to the Cape.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=2667.0
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Offline WHAP

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #13 on: 04/08/2010 03:34 pm »
Apparently they are transferring the X-37B in the shroud from Titusville to the pad this morning.  One of our NASA guys coming in this morning noticed quite a bit of commotion at the visitors center and noted that the spacecraft and shroud were stopped in the road near the visitors center.  There were numerous fire trucks and firemen in the area.  He later learned that the transporter system had a hydraulic failure which was not hardware threatening but we usually carry things to extremes out here so it turned into a big circus.  ...

The plan was likely to accomplish this transfer during the pre-dawn hours.  Some officials not happy with the extra attention this morning I suspect.   

 - Ed Kyle

Payload transfer wasn't a secret.  There are a lot of people that see this happen regularly.
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Offline edkyle99

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #14 on: 04/08/2010 04:44 pm »
Apparently they are transferring the X-37B in the shroud from Titusville to the pad this morning.  One of our NASA guys coming in this morning noticed quite a bit of commotion at the visitors center and noted that the spacecraft and shroud were stopped in the road near the visitors center.  There were numerous fire trucks and firemen in the area.  He later learned that the transporter system had a hydraulic failure which was not hardware threatening but we usually carry things to extremes out here so it turned into a big circus.  ...

The plan was likely to accomplish this transfer during the pre-dawn hours.  Some officials not happy with the extra attention this morning I suspect.   

 - Ed Kyle

Payload transfer wasn't a secret.  There are a lot of people that see this happen regularly.

Not a secret, but traditionally done at night to help with spacecraft thermal management and to avoid traffic tie-ups.  A third consideration, for this and other classified missions, would be to minimize the public profile, so to speak.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline WHAP

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #15 on: 04/09/2010 04:27 am »
Launch has moved to the 20th.
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Offline Ben the Space Brit

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #16 on: 04/09/2010 09:25 am »
Launch has moved to the 20th.

Any particular reason given (and declassified ;) )?
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Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #17 on: 04/09/2010 11:16 am »
Shuttle landing

Offline WHAP

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #18 on: 04/14/2010 05:11 pm »
Launch has moved to the 21st.  I'll let Jim describe the reasons.
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Offline brettreds2k

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - OTV X-37 - April 22
« Reply #19 on: 04/14/2010 05:34 pm »
Does anyone know the duration the X-37B will stay in orbit for this test flight? I do see its set to fly again next year, so pardon me on this, Not up to speed much on this new orbiter, but will this only fly military hardware to orbit? Thats pretty much all I was able to find on this. I know it will not be a NASA system, but I assume it is re usable like the shuttle?
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Orbiters I have visited in retirement:

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