I have seen conflicting information about the Atlas version. Do we now know for sure, wether it is a 401 or a 411 version?
Looks like an Atlas, and a Centaur are being airlifted to Vandenberg ( http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2012/04/volga-dnepr-airlines-asks-for.html ). Is NROL-36's ride already on site, or is it likely these flights?Does the transport trailer explain the 40,000 pound Atlas Centaur III tank?
Looks like an Atlas, and a Centaur are being airlifted to Vandenberg ( http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2012/04/volga-dnepr-airlines-asks-for.html ). Is NROL-36's ride already on site, or is it likely these flights?
I wonder if it is fallout from the Delta Mariner bridge indecent earlier in the year.
With all the threats flying around the world, wouldn’t be surprised if as many NRO assets as possible get moved up a notch in the timelines.
Is it unusual for cubesats to be launched along with an NRO payload?
Is it unusual for cubesats to be launched along with an NRO payload?
As it is the first time, one could say it is unusual. But it might change.
Is it unusual for cubesats to be launched along with an NRO payload?
As it is the first time, one could say it is unusual. But it might change.
Well I thought I hadn't heard of it happening before but I didn't trust my memory on the issue.
There are some photos on the ULA website of the spacecraft arriving at the launch pad. It is encapsulated in what appears to be the extended payload fairing, which would be consistent with NOSS or Improved Trumpet, and pretty much rules out SDS.
Trumpet is too heavy for a 401, which leaves NOSS the most likely candidate. Presumably the mission will use the two-burn profile used on NROL-30, rather than the single-burn profile used on NROL-34.
This raises two questions.
1) How many burns is the Centaur going to have to make? I count at least four: the first to reach a parking orbit, the second to reach the NOSS deployment (~1000x1200 km) orbit, then probably two more to reach the deployment orbit for the CubeSats (~500x800 km). A fifth burn might then be made to deorbit the Centaur.
2) This reopens the question of why NROL-34 used a 411; at the time it was assumed that the change was to eliminate the requirement for the second burn, but since the second burn is apparently being reintroduced here, it is reasonable to speculate that there may have been another reason.
Lift-off planned at around 07UTC on August 2
source: http://decaturdaily.com/stories/ULA-launch-planned-Thursday,99597
The target launch time for Thursday's Atlas 5 rocket has been announced to the public. Liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base is scheduled for 12:40 a.m. local (3:40 a.m. EDT; 0740 GMT).
The exact duration of the daily launch window hasn't been disclosed. But officials previously said the liftoff would not occur after 1:30 a.m. local.
Launch is planned for 12:40 a.m. PDTi.e. 0740UTC
NAVAREA XII 191/2012(18,21).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MISSILES.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 0500Z TO 0930Z DAILY
02 THRU 07 AUG IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 34-27N 120-29W, 34-26N 120-31W,
34-38N 120-36W, 34-39N 120-34W.
B. 15-46N 108-34W, 13-32N 113-09W,
16-06N 114-30W, 18-22N 109-53W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 071030Z AUG 12.
Navigational warning
Not found so far...Navigational warning
No area for Centaur de-orbit.
Not found so far...Navigational warning
No area for Centaur de-orbit.
Launch time confirmed on ULA websiteQuoteLaunch is planned for 12:40 a.m. PDTi.e. 0740UTC
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Launch.shtml#/30/
Launch time confirmed on ULA websiteQuoteLaunch is planned for 12:40 a.m. PDTi.e. 0740UTC
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Launch.shtml#/30/
Which would be 3:40 a.m. EST?
The latest weather forecast is predicting even foggier conditions at launch time, with only a quarter-mile visibility, a solid marine layer at ground-level extending to 600 feet, some high cirrus clouds at 25,000 feet, northwesterly winds of 5 to 10 knots and temperatures in the low 50s F.
The NRO and ULA partnered to develop an Aft Bulkhead Carrier (ABC) which will be used in NROL-36. Affixed to the ABC will be an Operationally Unique Technologies Satellite, or OUTSat. The OUTSat consists of 11 Cubesats in various configurations.
Lift-off planned at around 07UTC on August 2
source: http://decaturdaily.com/stories/ULA-launch-planned-Thursday,99597
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2012) - A United Launch Alliance Atlas V stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-3 with a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Photos by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance
11:30 p.m. local (2:30 a.m. EDT; 0530 GMT)
Chilldown of the liquid hydrogen system is now complete, allowing the super-cold rocket fuel to begin filling the Centaur upper stage.
The fog will not stop us!http://www.facebook.com/30thSpaceWing (http://www.facebook.com/30thSpaceWing)
T-0 is currently 00:44, as mentioned. No word on how long the window is yet.
What is the link for the live feed?
Just a point on William's article. South Vandenberg was never named Point Arguello Naval Air Station. It was call Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello (NMFPA)Thanks for spotting that. I think I'd assumed Naval Air Station was a standard name like "Air Force Base" seems to be for USAF facilities.
Aug. 14 now!
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2012) – The launch of an Atlas V carrying the National Reconnaissance Office NROL-36 payload has been further delayed to no earlier than Tuesday, Aug. 14 to provide additional time for resolution of a range instrumentation issue that developed during the initial launch attempt Aug. 2. There are no issues with the Atlas V vehicle or the NROL-36 space vehicle.
Disappointing because ULA is awesome at launching on time and that seems like a big slip.
What broke on the Western range that it takes 2 weeks to replace / repair ?Interesting that USAF won't say what the problem is.
Does that mean nothing else can launch from the west coast until it's fixed ?
Disappointing because ULA is awesome at launching on time and that seems like a big slip.
Vandenberg officials postponed the launch of an Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload Thursday to provide additional time for resolution of a range instrumentation issue that developed during the initial launch attempt Aug 2.
The launch will take place no earlier than Aug. 30.
"The malfunction occurred in our Mission Flight Control Center, which gives our mission flight control officer the ability to terminate flight should we need to for safety reasons," said Lt. Col. Burton Catledge, 2nd Range Operations Squadron commander. "Our team is working hard to resolve the issue, test and recertify the equipment to support safe launch operations."
There are no issues with the Atlas V vehicle or the NROL-36 space vehicle.
The rocket is slated to launch from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex-3.
Launch further delayed NET August 30
Any indication of the exact asset that malfunctioned?
Any indication of the exact asset that malfunctioned?
Atlas V rocket scheduled for afternoon launch
Posted 9/10/2012 Updated 9/10/2012
Release Number: 010912
9/10/2012 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload is scheduled to be launched by team Vandenberg from Space Launch Complex-3 here Thursday at 2:39 p.m.
The launch, originally scheduled for Aug. 2, was postponed when a range instrumentation issue developed during countdown. The issue has been resolved and the range is ready to support a safe and successful launch.
-30-
Note to Editors: Media planning to cover the event should RSVP by calling 2nd Lt. Kaylee Ausbun at 805-606-4884 or by e-mail at [email protected] by noon Wednesday. A media escort will depart the Vandenberg Main Gate Visitor's Center for the media viewing site Thursday at 1 p.m.
Remote Camera Set-up: A media escort will depart Vandenberg's South Base gate for remote camera setup Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
For questions about the booster please contact Jessica Rye with United Launch Alliance at 321-693-6250 or at [email protected].
Webcast: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml
Live Broadcast:
BEGIN TRANSMISSION (BARS AND TONE) - 1:45 P.M. (SEPTEMBER 12)
BROADCAST START - 2:19 P.M. (SEPTEMBER 13)
SATELLITE: AMC 1
CARRIER: SES Americom
TRANSPONDER: C15
BAND: C-Band Analog
ORBITAL POSITION: 103 degrees west
BANDWIDTH: 36 MHz (Full Transponder)
UPLINK FREQ: 6225 MHz Vertical
DOWNLINK FREQ: 4000 MHz Horizontal
NAVAREA XII 247/2012(18,21). (080950Z SEP 2012)
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
MISSILES.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 2008Z TO 2309Z DAILY
13 THRU 17 SEP IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 34-27N 120-29W, 34-26N 120-31W,
34-38N 120-36W, 34-39N 120-34W.
B. 15-46N 108-34W, 13-32N 113-09W,
16-06N 114-30W, 18-22N 109-53W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 180009Z SEP 12.
Sheesh.. I was hoping for clear sky..
TODAY'S LAUNCH of the Atlas V NROL-36 mission is dedicated to the memory of Pedro L. 'Pete' Rustan, who escaped Cuba at age 20, was an Air Force colonel, and did research for the CIA, NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office, among other government agencies.
Rustan died June 28 at his home in Woodbridge, Va. He was 65 and had prostate cancer, said his wife, Alexandra Cary Rustan.
Pete Rustan once devised a way to keep Air Force planes from being damaged by lightning. He led a project to build a spacecraft that performed important scientific experiments on the moon. He earned a Ph.D. while serving as an Air Force intelligence officer. He became a designer of spy satellites.All of those achievements came after he made a daring escape from Cuba to come to the United States.
Go ATLAS! Go NRO! ... and Godspeed Pete!!
Liquid hydrogen in the Centaur is at 90%. Atlas liquid oxygen at more than 99%
It's a big foggy!
It's a big foggy!
Indeed! :D
"Vigilance from above" - I like that...
Looked foggy enough to have been launched from Chris’s front lawn... ;D Seriously, congrats and well done to all the teams! :)
We should hear pretty soon on this mission as regards deployment as it's not a GEO payload?
Click to animate
Looked foggy enough to have been launched from Chris’s front lawn... ;D
We should hear pretty soon on this mission as regards deployment as it's not a GEO payload?
Assuming it is NOSS on a two-burn mission, the primary payload separation will probably occur about 60-70 minutes from now. The Centaur will then have to make another burn before CubeSat deployment.
We should hear pretty soon on this mission as regards deployment as it's not a GEO payload?
Assuming it is NOSS on a two-burn mission, the primary payload separation will probably occur about 60-70 minutes from now. The Centaur will then have to make another burn before CubeSat deployment.
Is it likely the Centaur will be de-orbited after the deployment of the CubeSats?
Yes, it sometimes rolls in off the Pacific and burns off. No real impact on launch as we saw or didn’t see… ;DLooked foggy enough to have been launched from Chris’s front lawn... ;D Seriously, congrats and well done to all the teams! :)
Do they get a lot sort of weather there, or just unlucky this time?
Yes, it sometimes rolls in off the Pacific and burns off. No real impact on launch as we saw or didn’t see… ;DLooked foggy enough to have been launched from Chris’s front lawn... ;D Seriously, congrats and well done to all the teams! :)
Do they get a lot sort of weather there, or just unlucky this time?
Was this AV-033?Yes
Thank you.
William Graham's article - updated:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/09/uatlas-v-launch-nrol-36-vandenberg/
Some photos
Has the payload shown in the simulation any connection with reality? ::)
Has the payload shown in the simulation any connection with reality? ::)
Certainly not. For illustrations of classified missions, they always use some kind of generic payload.
Objects catalogued by USSTRATCOM
38758 USA 238 2012-048A
38759 SMDC ONE 1.2 2012-048B
38760 AENEAS 2012-048C
38761 CSSWE 2012-048D
38762 CXBN 2012-048E
38763 CP5 2012-048F
38764 CINEMA 2012-048G
38765 RE 2012-048H
38766 SMDC ONE 1.1 2012-048J
38767 AEROCUBE 4.5A 2012-048K
38768 AEROCUBE 4.5B 2012-048L
38769 AEROCUBE 4 2012-048M
38770 ATLAS CENTAUR R/B 2012-048N
Even though they are dual satellites they only get one USA number then? I suppose that is done to cover the fact that it is a pair of satellites.Eventually the second satellite could appear under cover of a debris from the first as was the case for the last pair of NOSS-3 catalogued as shown below:
and here we are for NOSS-3 6B:Even though they are dual satellites they only get one USA number then? I suppose that is done to cover the fact that it is a pair of satellites.Eventually the second satellite could appear under cover of a debris from the first as was the case for the last pair of NOSS-3 catalogued as shown below:
37386 USA 229 2011-014A
37391 USA 229 DEB 2011-014B