Author Topic: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B OTV-4) - May 20, 2015 to May 7, 2017 - UPDATES  (Read 191904 times)

Offline northenarc

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #200 on: 05/20/2015 10:45 pm »
Success!

 
ULA:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 20, 2015) A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the AFSPC-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 11:05 a.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-41. This is ULA’s fifth launch in 2015 and the 96th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

We must plan a 100th launch party :)


   Looks to likely to be Cygnus CRS Orb-4, if that's a coincidence I'm sure ULA isn't unhappy about it. And congrats to ULA and the Air Force for another picture perfect launch, those last few seconds of feed from the Centaur when it pitched over you could really see the speed as it headed over the Atlantic. 
  edit: miscounted, it should be a GPS flight, but it would have sounded nice.
« Last Edit: 05/20/2015 10:55 pm by northenarc »

Offline ximig

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #201 on: 05/20/2015 10:47 pm »
‏@jasonrdavis
Updated: Our Mission Control Center has a #LightSail ground track, radio info, and TLE link! http://sail.planetary.org/missioncontrol 

1 91919U 15999A   15140.67013889  .00040047  00000-0  10233-2 0 00006
2 91919 054.9991 339.9648 0250932 182.3369 074.3135 15.12540571000013

Source of the keplerian elements: AFSPC   
FROM www.n2yo.com


RADIO TRACKING

Are you an amateur radio tracking enthusiast? You can help us track LightSail! Send any data you capture to [email protected].

Frequency: 437.435 MHz
Protocol: AX.25
Encoding: FSK
Baud: 9600 bps
Call sign: KK6HIT
« Last Edit: 05/20/2015 10:59 pm by ximig »

Online Galactic Penguin SST

Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #202 on: 05/20/2015 11:55 pm »
« Last Edit: 05/21/2015 11:53 am by Galactic Penguin SST »
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Online ZachS09

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #203 on: 05/20/2015 11:57 pm »
Success!

 
ULA:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 20, 2015) A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the AFSPC-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 11:05 a.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-41. This is ULA’s fifth launch in 2015 and the 96th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

We must plan a 100th launch party :)

Great idea! But, how would it work?
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline northenarc

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #204 on: 05/21/2015 12:32 am »
Success!

 
ULA:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 20, 2015) A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the AFSPC-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 11:05 a.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-41. This is ULA’s fifth launch in 2015 and the 96th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

We must plan a 100th launch party :)

Great idea! But, how would it work?
   ULA could fly us all to Florida first class for a 5 star party and put it on their public relations budget, maybe if we said mean things about certain other space companies ;) (I forgive the mods if they zap this post) 

Online edkyle99

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #205 on: 05/21/2015 03:12 am »
Following up on some of my questions:

The USAF would not confirm that the OTV processing was performed in the former OPFs.

Why is this information important enough to refuse to confirm or deny?
Makes ELINT harder?  Makes it more difficult to monitor classified payload arrival?  Makes it harder for media to discover schedule delays and cost overruns in OPF rebuild project?  Wild guesses all.
Quote
Also, the USAF will not identify if OTV-1 or 2 is the craft launched today.  Again, why?  The reason given by the spokesperson quoted in the article is "operational objectives."
Perhaps the X-37B flying today looks different than earlier X-37Bs, and the reason has to do with the classified payload it is carrying (or bringing back).  Maybe this X-37B is a new bird, or a heavily modified previously flown vehicle.  Or maybe the payload in that big fairing wasn't an X-37B at all.  It will get really interesting if they also don't provide images of it after it supposedly lands.

The program is oddly mysterious. 

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 05/21/2015 03:13 am by edkyle99 »

Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #206 on: 05/21/2015 03:15 am »
cost overruns in OPF rebuild project? 

Adding a rollup door to an empty building qualifies as "rebuild"

Offline averagespacejoe

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #207 on: 05/21/2015 04:40 am »
Is it safe post-launch to ask if anyone has a digital copy of the launch patch from ULA of the AFSPC-5 mission?

Online edkyle99

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #208 on: 05/21/2015 05:02 am »
cost overruns in OPF rebuild project? 

Adding a rollup door to an empty building qualifies as "rebuild"
Redecorating, then.  :)

  - Ed Kyle

Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #209 on: 05/21/2015 10:29 am »
Is it safe post-launch to ask if anyone has a digital copy of the launch patch from ULA of the AFSPC-5 mission?
ULA doesn't make launch patches. 
This is the spacecraft patch
« Last Edit: 05/21/2015 10:30 am by Jim »

Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #210 on: 05/21/2015 11:14 am »
This is the processing team patch
« Last Edit: 05/21/2015 11:14 am by Jim »

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #211 on: 05/21/2015 01:12 pm »
Success!

ULA:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 20, 2015) A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the AFSPC-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 11:05 a.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-41. This is ULA’s fifth launch in 2015 and the 96th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

We must plan a 100th launch party :)

Great idea! But, how would it work?

Sounds like Emily Lakdawalla has the party favors down!
https://twitter.com/elakdawalla/status/601157861868089344
Quote
Guys for four months I have not had a kitchen and the remodel is just about done and I am baking a #LightSail pie
Quote
@elakdawalla #LightSail pie deployment successful! (Since it's a FAQ: strawberry rhubarb.)
« Last Edit: 05/21/2015 01:12 pm by kevin-rf »
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Offline daveglo

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #212 on: 05/21/2015 02:34 pm »
I was at KSC for this launch yesterday, my first one.  Here are a couple of screen grabs from the video I shot with my phone.

My impressions of the launch are that I'm glad I went, but watching from the Visitor Center leaves a lot to be desired.  The view angle was poor, the parking lot they set stands on was smoking hot, and the sound quality of the countdown and commentary was bad.

But Atlas, even with no SRBs, puts on a great show.

And as a postscript, the Atlantis Center is a must-see if you're anywhere near the area.

Online edkyle99

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #213 on: 05/21/2015 03:04 pm »
My impressions of the launch are that I'm glad I went, but watching from the Visitor Center leaves a lot to be desired.  The view angle was poor, the parking lot they set stands on was smoking hot, and the sound quality of the countdown and commentary was bad.
I hope they improve this situation well before commercial crew launches begin.  Good viewpoints for visitors could be established for launches from LC 40 and 41.  If nothing else, the Visitors Center could erect elevated viewing stands or something.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, for example, the stands could be built on the roof of a building within which visitors could, in air conditioned comfort, monitor the countdown on giant screens with full mission audio?  People could come and go to the viewing level as desired, which should of course have a clear view of the launch pad.  On non-launch days, the site could serve as a good viewing platform of the entire Space Center for visitors who don't have time to take the bus tours.

Or porta-potties and mosquitoes by the river, which would also be an improvement over the current setup.

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 05/21/2015 03:14 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline Star One

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #214 on: 05/21/2015 07:21 pm »
Some interesting speculation from Space Daily, could the outside appearance of this X-37B have been altered in some way which is why they wouldn't produce any pictures of it or even confirm which vehicle it was.

http://www.spacewar.com/m/reports/X_37B_Mysteries_Continue_999.html

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #215 on: 05/21/2015 07:28 pm »
Maybe the Hall effect thruster was stuck in the other engine location, or the materials they are testing for 'NASA' are TPS mounted external to the vehicle.

That or they supper pimped it....
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Offline catdlr

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #216 on: 05/21/2015 08:01 pm »
SLOW MOTION Pad Camera 240 FPS - Atlas V Launches With X-37B AFSPC-5 And LightSail

Published on May 21, 2015
A super slow-motion GoPro Hero 4 recording at 240 frames per second captures the launch of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the X-37B spaceplane on the AFSPC-5 mission for the U.S. Air Force and the Planetary Society's LightSail experimental solar sail spacecraft.

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Offline catdlr

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #217 on: 05/21/2015 08:01 pm »
Atlas V AFSPC-05 X-37B LightSail ULA Launch Broadcast Replay

Published on May 21, 2015
Atlas V AFSPC-05 X-37B LightSail ULA Launch Broadcast Replay

Video Credit: United Launch Alliance, All Rights Reserved.



Tony De La Rosa, ...I'm no Feline Dealer!! I move mountains.  but I'm better known for "I think it's highly sexual." Japanese to English Translation.

Offline Jester

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #218 on: 05/21/2015 08:54 pm »
Here is something interesting, a sub-contractor for the flaperons and ruddervators mentions a 4th flight unit, now I assume its a 4th set of flaperons/ruddervators, or could it be a 4th X-37B ? .....nahhh :)

http://www.lx3.net/development-manufacturing-x-37-space-plane-flaperons-ruddervators.html


"Currently on DQ4 (4th Flight Unit)"

Offline a_langwich

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #219 on: 05/21/2015 09:15 pm »
Here is something interesting, a sub-contractor for the flaperons and ruddervators mentions a 4th flight unit, now I assume its a 4th set of flaperons/ruddervators, or could it be a 4th X-37B ? .....nahhh :)

http://www.lx3.net/development-manufacturing-x-37-space-plane-flaperons-ruddervators.html


"Currently on DQ4 (4th Flight Unit)"


Could it be they've inspected past units, revised the design, and are building a newer version of that part?  Those are probably some of the most stressed parts on the vehicle...movable, hot, control surfaces on a small reentry vehicle are one of the toughest problems (one I'm not sure SNC had completely addressed yet on DC).

Why would "Manufacturing Turn Around Time" be a focus for an experimental vehicle?

Interesting, indeed.  OTOH, if there are two "flight units" per vehicle, might the fourth flight unit have finished the second vehicle, and the page is just poorly written/updated to reflect that?  The last date on the page is 2011?

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