Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013  (Read 50353 times)

Online jacqmans

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LIVE: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« on: 07/28/2013 10:56 am »
Lockheed Martin delivered the third Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this month. It is scheduled to launch in September, joining two other AEHF satellites in the constellation providing protected communications for the U.S. and allies.
« Last Edit: 09/17/2013 10:58 pm by Chris Bergin »
Jacques :-)

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #1 on: 08/23/2013 01:44 am »
According to Spaceflight Now's launch scheduled (http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html), the launch has been moved up by a whole week! It's now scheduled on September 18 at 3:04 - 5:04 am EDT (07:04 - 09:04 UTC), i.e. less than 16 hours after the launch of Cygnus!

With this launch, Cygnus demo, F9 v1.1 / CASSOIPE, DIV-H / NROL-65 and Minotaur V / LADEE all to happen within 3 weeks, it's the ultimate American Launch Fever TM;D
« Last Edit: 08/29/2013 08:34 am by jacqmans »
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Offline Targeteer

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #2 on: 09/06/2013 02:33 am »
Mission booklet
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Offline Prober

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #3 on: 09/09/2013 06:55 pm »
This launch hasn't been on too many radars.
 
« Last Edit: 09/10/2013 03:20 pm by Prober »
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Offline WHAP

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #4 on: 09/09/2013 07:37 pm »
This launch hasn't been on two many radars.
 

I'll bet it ends up being on more than two.   :D

Sorry, but I couldn't resist.
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Offline Ben the Space Brit

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #5 on: 09/11/2013 12:46 pm »
Well, I suppose one comsat is more or less the same as another.  Mostly, the launches of non-exploration missions rarely get much publicity unless something goes wrong.  If CASSIOPE gets any publicity outside of the industry press, it will be because SpaceX will be identifying Falcon-9 v.1.1 as a 'future human launch vehicle' and a 'future reusable spacecraft'.
« Last Edit: 09/11/2013 12:46 pm by Ben the Space Brit »
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Offline Lurker Steve

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #6 on: 09/11/2013 12:56 pm »
This is supposed to now launch 1 day after Antares. I assume some of the range assets that will be following Antares during ascent will also be used for tracking this bird. Does that mean Antares could get bumped if the Air Force wants their bird launched on time (even if 1 week early) ?

Offline Jim

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #7 on: 09/11/2013 02:08 pm »
This is supposed to now launch 1 day after Antares. I assume some of the range assets that will be following Antares during ascent will also be used for tracking this bird. Does that mean Antares could get bumped if the Air Force wants their bird launched on time (even if 1 week early) ?

different ranges and TDRSS can be reconfigured quickly.
« Last Edit: 09/11/2013 02:09 pm by Jim »

Offline LaunchedIn68

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #8 on: 09/11/2013 02:35 pm »
With this launch, Cygnus demo, F9 v1.1 / CASSOIPE, DIV-H / NROL-65 and Minotaur V / LADEE all to happen within 3 weeks, it's the ultimate American Launch Fever TM;D

"The rockets came like drums, beating in the night. The rockets came like locusts, swarming and settling in blooms of rosy smoke."  ;)
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Online jacqmans

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #9 on: 09/11/2013 10:05 pm »
Title: Lockheed Martin-Built Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Encapsulated For Upcoming Launch

Date: 11-Sep-2013 1:16 PM

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., Sept. 11, 2013 - The third Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been encapsulated into its payload fairing in preparation for a Sept. 18 liftoff aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station , Fla.

The AEHF system is the nation's only protected strategic and tactical satellite communications program. It works in concert with its predecessor, Milstar, for global coverage. Lockheed Martin is under contract to deliver six AEHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment. Both AEHF-1 and AEHF-2 are on orbit, and AEHF-4 is progressing on schedule.

"The AEHF team has done excellent work to increase capability and affordability," said Mark Calassa , vice president for Protected Communication Systems at Lockheed Martin . "Our efforts were rewarded in December with a new Air Force contract for space vehicles 5 and 6. As we transition to fixed price, we are reducing risk to the customer and lowering satellite cost by over 30 percent with this recent block buy."

AEHF provides vastly improved global, survivable, highly secure, protected communications for strategic command and tactical warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms. The system also serves international partners including Canada , the Netherlands and the United Kingdom . Canada was the first of these nations to connect to AEHF during tests with multiple terminals.

A single AEHF satellite provides greater total capacity than the entire legacy five-satellite Milstar constellation. Individual user data rates will increase five-fold, permitting transmission of tactical military communications, such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data. In addition to its tactical mission, AEHF provides the critical survivable, protected and endurable communications links to national leaders, including presidential conferencing in all levels of conflict.
Jacques :-)

Online jacqmans

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #10 on: 09/12/2013 04:10 pm »
AEHF Expands Global Communications For Allied Missions; Netherlands Makes Call On Protected Communications Satellite

Date: 12-Sep-2013 9:10 AM

SUNNYVALE, Calif. , Sept. 12, 2013 - The Netherlands has become the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) international partner to communicate using the Lockheed Martin -produced [NYSE: LMT] satellite system. During July testing, for the first time three nations used the system simultaneously as The Netherlands connected to U.S., Canadian and domestic terminals.

AEHF provides vastly improved global, survivable, jam-proof, protected communications for strategic and tactical users on ground, sea and air platforms.

"AEHF's ability to securely connect allies together is vital to current and future operations," said Mark Calassa , vice president of Protected Communications Systems at Lockheed Martin . "We are hard at work delivering this global capability: Our fixed-price production builds are on schedule, we will launch a third satellite next week, and those users testing the system are extremely satisfied with this leap forward in capability."

The U.S.- Canada - Netherlands team engaged AEHF-1 and AEHF-2 while completing test calls between international terminals. In separate tests, Dutch forces exchanged voice and data communications with the U.S. and Canada by connecting to the AEHF-2 satellite, crosslinking with AEHF-1 and downlinking to the U.S. Navy terminal in San Diego and a Canadian terminal at Shirley's Bay, Ontario . By connecting with AEHF-2, The Netherlands also completed their first local AEHF call from ship to shore. Radios used in the tests include domestic and international versions of the Navy Multi-Band and Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical (SMART-T) terminals. 

The U.S. Air Force has been allowing select groups to use AEHF for testing as it fields the system, and the system has performed well as its user base grows with different terminal types. The Netherlands achievement follows Canada's successful call in May. Both countries will continue testing for several months as they move toward initial operational capability. The United Kingdom is also scheduled to complete their first connection by the end of the year.

A single AEHF satellite provides greater total capacity than the entire legacy five-satellite Milstar constellation. Individual user data rates will increase five-fold, permitting transmission of tactical military communications, such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data. In addition to its tactical mission, AEHF provides the critical survivable, protected and endurable communications links to national leaders, including presidential conferencing in all levels of conflict.

Lockheed Martin is under contract to deliver six AEHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment. Both AEHF-1 and AEHF-2 are on orbit, AEHF-3 was shipped for a September 18 launch and AEHF-4 is progressing on schedule. All satellites are assembled at the company's Sunnyvale, Calif. , facility.

Jacques :-)

Offline Targeteer

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #11 on: 09/13/2013 06:18 pm »
From Facebook

United Launch Alliance
The United Launch Alliance Launch Readiness Review is complete! The #AEHF3 mission is one step closer to launch from Cape Canaveral on an #AtlasV next Wednesday, Sept. 18. The two-hour launch window opens at 3:04 a.m. EDT. Our live webcast will begin at 2:44 a.m. Early birds and night owls -- hands up if you plan to watch! http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #12 on: 09/14/2013 09:18 pm »
ULA PAO: "Everything is progressing for the Air Force’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency-3 (AEHF-3) launch. The mission is set to liftoff on a ULA Atlas V on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The two-hour launch window opens at 3:04 a.m. EDT. Today’s L-4 forecast shows a 60 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch."
Jacques :-)

Offline input~2

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #13 on: 09/15/2013 05:31 pm »
Closure areas

Offline input~2

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #14 on: 09/15/2013 05:54 pm »
Navigational warning

(130958Z SEP 2013)

NAVAREA IV    558/2013(11,25,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 180704Z TO 180935Z SEP,
   ALTERNATE 190700Z TO 190931Z SEP
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-37N 080-36W, 28-38N 080-18W,
      28-37N 079-54W, 28-35N 079-54W,
      28-32N 080-18W, 28-33N 080-34W.
   B. 28-37N 078-29W, 28-37N 077-52W,
      28-33N 077-52W, 28-33N 078-29W.
   C. 27-08N 069-20W, 26-42N 067-08W,
      26-35N 067-09W, 26-58N 069-21W.
   D. 21-58N 051-44W, 21-19N 049-56W,
      21-14N 049-59W, 21-52N 051-46W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 191031Z SEP 13.
« Last Edit: 09/17/2013 11:22 am by input~2 »

Online jacqmans

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Re: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #15 on: 09/17/2013 03:04 pm »
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rolls out to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida with the Air Force's third Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-3) payload.
Jacques :-)

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: LIVE: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #16 on: 09/17/2013 10:59 pm »
Moved for live coverage!
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Offline Chris Bergin

Re: LIVE: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #17 on: 09/17/2013 11:48 pm »
Here's William Graham's excellent launch preview. With a second part to come should there be a successful launch:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/09/atlas-v-loft-aehf-3-satellite/
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Offline Orbiter

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #18 on: 09/18/2013 01:06 am »
Count started at 8:04pm, fueling starts at 1:11am.
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Offline e of pi

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V - AEHF-3 - September 18, 2013
« Reply #19 on: 09/18/2013 04:11 am »
How's the weather look?

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