Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 30, 2013  (Read 62934 times)

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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LIVE: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 30, 2013
« on: 10/24/2012 09:11 pm »
Quote
United Launch Alliance barge Delta Mariner arrives at Port Canaveral, Fla. delivering the Centaur stage of the launch vehicle that will boost the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-K, or TDRS-K, into Earth orbit atop an Atlas V rocket. After off-loading, the Centaur will be transported to the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center, or ASOC, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to begin processing. The TDRS-K spacecraft is part of the next-generation series in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, a constellation of space-based communication satellites providing tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=63041
« Last Edit: 01/29/2013 09:59 pm by Chris Bergin »

Online jacqmans

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #1 on: 10/31/2012 03:15 pm »
Boeing on Schedule to Deliver Next-Gen Tracking and Data Relay Satellite

Satellites extend NASA's ability to transmit information among spacecraft and ground terminals

Key performance tests and work with General Dynamics on ground segment complete

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 29, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] is on schedule to deliver the next-generation series of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), which will increase NASA’s signal processing and transmission capabilities among the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station and dozens of unmanned scientific satellites in low Earth orbit.
 
TDRS K, the first to offer that increase in operational effectiveness, will be delivered for launch by the end of this year.
 
The satellite successfully completed all environmental, functional and performance tests, including vibration and acoustic tests and final flight functional testing. It soon will be packaged for transport to Cape Canaveral, Fla., where it will complete its final integration and test and be prepared for launch.
 
"The TDRS satellites provide NASA with crucial crosslink communications between orbiting spacecraft and control and data processing facilities on Earth," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "TDRS K is a major step toward improving how high-resolution images, video, voice and data are transmitted."
 
TDRS K is one of three TDRS satellites in production. TDRS L, which is scheduled to launch in 2014, is in final space vehicle testing at the Boeing Satellite Development Center in El Segundo. Production of TDRS-M is expected to begin this month.
 
Boeing and General Dynamics also upgraded existing ground terminals to be compatible with the TDRS K series. The team recently completed the final course of ground segment testing and delivered the ground segment to NASA.
 
Boeing built the TDRS H, I and J satellites that are currently in operation.
 
« Last Edit: 10/31/2012 03:24 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Online jacqmans

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #2 on: 11/05/2012 08:22 pm »
FROM KSC Facebook page:

The first stage booster of the Atlas V that is to launch the TDRS-K satellite into orbit is to arrive later today at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Arriving from the United Launch Alliance manufacturing plant in Decatur, Ala., the Atlas V stage is flying aboard a Ukrainian Antonov-124 transport aircraft, one of the largest airplanes in the world. It will be taken on Tuesday to the hangar at the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center at Cape Canaveral. Launch of the TDRS-K Tracking and Data Relay Satellite on the Atlas V rocket is planned for January 2013 from Space Launch Complex 41.
Jacques :-)

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #3 on: 11/06/2012 01:45 am »
That is odd, why did the RBSP Atlas V LV and only the TDRS-K Centaur arrive by the Delta Mariner, yet the TDRS-K CCB is going back to the AN-124? I would imagine that shipping by barge is cheaper.

Offline russianhalo117

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #4 on: 11/06/2012 01:54 am »
That is odd, why did the RBSP Atlas V LV and only the TDRS-K Centaur arrive by the Delta Mariner, yet the TDRS-K CCB is going back to the AN-124? I would imagine that shipping by barge is cheaper.
Both has been done in past. Also Delta Mariner is on west coast at moment.
« Last Edit: 11/06/2012 01:55 am by russianhalo117 »

Offline Jim

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #5 on: 11/06/2012 02:54 am »
That is odd, why did the RBSP Atlas V LV and only the TDRS-K Centaur arrive by the Delta Mariner, yet the TDRS-K CCB is going back to the AN-124? I would imagine that shipping by barge is cheaper.

Mariner only makes sense if there is more than one launch vehicle being transported.

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #6 on: 11/06/2012 08:18 am »
So are you working this launch?
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline Jim

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #7 on: 11/06/2012 10:29 am »
So are you working this launch?

In a minor role. 

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #8 on: 11/07/2012 11:24 pm »

Offline russianhalo117

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #9 on: 11/08/2012 03:09 am »
Wait, they still deliver Atlas V CCB's on An-124s? Do they fly them out of Huntsville?
See above posts for answer.

Offline Ben the Space Brit

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #10 on: 11/08/2012 10:06 am »
Are there any civilian US transport 'planes that could do the job instead of the An-124? I'm not sure if the 747F has a tall enough cabin.
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Offline russianhalo117

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #11 on: 11/08/2012 11:41 am »
Are there any civilian US transport 'planes that could do the job instead of the An-124? I'm not sure if the 747F has a tall enough cabin.
Possibly C-5M

Offline dasmoth

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #12 on: 11/08/2012 11:53 am »
Are there any civilian US transport 'planes that could do the job instead of the An-124? I'm not sure if the 747F has a tall enough cabin.
Possibly C-5M

Civilian version (L-500) was planned but never sold.  I don't think there are any C-5s outside the military.

Offline Jim

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #13 on: 11/08/2012 11:57 am »
Are there any civilian US transport 'planes that could do the job instead of the An-124? I'm not sure if the 747F has a tall enough cabin.
Possibly C-5M

Any C-5, any version, A, B, M or C could.  But they are not civilian.
« Last Edit: 11/08/2012 11:58 am by Jim »

Offline Jim

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #14 on: 11/08/2012 11:58 am »
Are there any civilian US transport 'planes that could do the job instead of the An-124? I'm not sure if the 747F has a tall enough cabin.

Even if it fit, offloading would be an issue.

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #15 on: 11/08/2012 03:38 pm »
Are there any civilian US transport 'planes that could do the job instead of the An-124? I'm not sure if the 747F has a tall enough cabin.

Even if it fit, offloading would be an issue.


how about strapping the AV to the 747 like the shuttle 747 transport?


Can I ask why, seems like there is already two methods of delivery, why a third that exposes the booster to the risk of bird strikes...

If we want to consider other options:
1. Several C-5's are currently being retired. Maybe a commercial operator could buy and operate a few of them.
2. Convince Atlas to offer it's Dream Lifter's for Atlas booster transport.

But seriously, why do we need alternative transportation methods again? This Booster is already at the cape, it's not like NASA will decide to suddenly launch it from Texas or something.
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Offline Jim

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #16 on: 11/08/2012 04:14 pm »
Are there any civilian US transport 'planes that could do the job instead of the An-124? I'm not sure if the 747F has a tall enough cabin.

Even if it fit, offloading would be an issue.

how about strapping the AV to the 747 like the shuttle 747 transport?


same still applies

Offline russianhalo117

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #17 on: 11/08/2012 08:23 pm »
Are there any civilian US transport 'planes that could do the job instead of the An-124? I'm not sure if the 747F has a tall enough cabin.
Possibly C-5M

Civilian version (L-500) was planned but never sold.  I don't think there are any C-5s outside the military.
Nope not the plan anymore since DoD received funding to convert all remaining C-5A,B,C aircraft to C-5M version.

Offline Targeteer

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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #18 on: 11/09/2012 11:47 pm »
Are there any civilian US transport 'planes that could do the job instead of the An-124? I'm not sure if the 747F has a tall enough cabin.
Possibly C-5M

Civilian version (L-500) was planned but never sold.  I don't think there are any C-5s outside the military.
Nope not the plan anymore since DoD received funding to convert all remaining C-5A,B,C aircraft to C-5M version.

I believe all the C-5As are being retired due to age and flight hours. Only the -B and the 2 -C models (which might be -As but are critical because they were modified to carry select satellites--primarily intelligence plus Hubble) will be upgraded to -M status.
« Last Edit: 11/09/2012 11:49 pm by Targeteer »
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Re: Atlas-V 401 - TDRS-K - January 2013
« Reply #19 on: 12/07/2012 10:50 pm »
Launch Team Notes Atlas V Ready for TDRS-K
Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:53:19 PM UTC

The Launch Vehicle Readiness Review was held today at Kennedy Space Center for the Atlas V rocket launching NASA’s TDRS-K Tracking and Data Relay Satellite. Prelaunch preparations have been cleared to proceed toward the first launch of 2013 which will occur from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 41. The TDRS-K spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at KSC for the start of processing on Dec. 18. The activities for stacking the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on Launch Complex 41 are currently scheduled to begin on Jan. 3. The Eastern Range has now approved the Jan. 29 launch date. The liftoff is targeted for 8:52 p.m. at the opening of a 40-minute launch window.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html

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