Meanwhile, the two-stage Delta 4 rocket was moved from its Horizontal Integration Facility to the launch pad yesterday and then raised vertically this morning, achieving the Launch Vehicle On Stand milestone.<snip>In the coming days, four strap-on solid rocket boosters will be installed to the Delta 4’s first stage. The payload will be attached in late February.<snip>WGS 9 was built by Boeing for the U.S. military’s worldwide communications network. But it was funding from Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and New Zealand that paid for the satellite’s construction as part of an international agreement.The partner nations bought the satellite in exchange for access to the entire constellation, similar to the groundbreaking deal with Australia that paid for the construction and launch of WGS 6.
Date/Site/Launch Time: Wednesday, March 8, 2017, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The 65-minute launch window opens at 6:48 p.m. EST.Live Broadcast: Tune in to ULA’s live launch day broadcast beginning at 6:28 p.m. EST.
ULA, Air Force today hoisted #WGS9 satellite atop Delta IV rocket for March 8 launch from LC37. 65-minute window opens 6:48pm ET.
Question 1: When is the Wet Dress Rehearsal? Or did it already happen?Question 2: When will the payload be attached?
Since rolling from its hangar a month ago, the Delta has undergone attachment of the four solid boosters and a pre-launch testing campaign. A fueling exercise was performed just last week.
The satellite was flown to Florida in early January from Boeing’s manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California. After arriving, it was taken to the commercial Astrotech processing facility to undergo pre-flight preps.Final testing, loading of maneuvering propellant and encapsulation in the Delta 4’s nose cone was accomplished with the satellite.
Delta IV WGS-9 launch delayed to no earlier than March 14 http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=49912 #WGS9 @ULAlaunch
The team is actively working to resolve a Delta IV first stage booster issue discovered during standard prelaunch inspections
QuoteDelta IV WGS-9 launch delayed to no earlier than March 14 http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=49912 #WGS9 @ULAlaunchhttps://twitter.com/spaceref/status/838104130862333952QuoteThe team is actively working to resolve a Delta IV first stage booster issue discovered during standard prelaunch inspections
(Update: March 4, 2017, 2 p.m. EST:) The launch date for a United Launch Alliance Delta IV carrying the WGS-9 satellite for the U.S. Air Force is no earlier than March 14. The team is actively working to resolve a Delta IV first stage booster issue discovered during standard prelaunch inspections. This additional time will allow the ULA team to ensure all systems are operating nominally prior to launch. A new launch date will be released once it is established. The Delta IV will lift off from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Launch of ULA #DeltaIV carrying #WGS9 is delayed to no earlier than Mar 14 to resolve an engine issue found during prelaunch inspections.
Interesting change of procedure: The DCSS will be de-orbited into the western Pacific Ocean at the end of the mission.
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 03/07/2017 07:39 PMInteresting change of procedure: The DCSS will be de-orbited into the western Pacific Ocean at the end of the mission.It was for WGS-8 as well. I never looked at the booklet to see if that was mentioned or not.
Quote from: Newton_V on 03/07/2017 08:15 PMQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 03/07/2017 07:39 PMInteresting change of procedure: The DCSS will be de-orbited into the western Pacific Ocean at the end of the mission.It was for WGS-8 as well. I never looked at the booklet to see if that was mentioned or not.WGS-8 booklet ends at spacecraft separation. It also doesn't have the orbit diagram. http://www.ulalaunch.com/uploads/docs/Mission_Booklets/DIV/div_wgs8_mob.pdf
So, SpaceX Echostar 23 is on March 14th, this flight is on March 14th, and Cygnus on a 401 is on March 19th? Something has to give. Have I missed it?
Launch update: #DeltaIV #WGS9 launch for @usairforce is scheduled for NET March 17 due to Eastern Range availability bit.ly/div_wgs9
52 Likes
