Author Topic: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018  (Read 48598 times)

Offline vapour_nudge

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Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« on: 03/06/2016 04:03 am »
This launch, one of 11 for ULA's Atlas V in 2016, has slipped to January 26, 2017. So now we're looking at 10 Atlas V launches this calendar year.  From memory, WHAP or Newton_V have suggested there may be another that slips to 2017.

We also lost the Mars Insight mission to 2018
« Last Edit: 10/14/2018 07:39 pm by input~2 »

Offline Newton_V

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Re: Atlas V 531 - AEHF-4 - January 26, 2017
« Reply #1 on: 03/06/2016 04:15 am »
This launch, one of 11 for ULA's Atlas V in 2016, has slipped to January 26, 2017. So now we're looking at 10 Atlas V launches this calendar year.  From memory, WHAP or Newton_V have suggested there may be another that slips to 2017.

We also lost the Mars Insight mission to 2018 or maybe never.

If I remember correctly, I think I was referring to this one as the "other one" slipping to 2017.  The Delta Ii was first, then Insight, the AEHF.  AV-070 is now the unassigned tail number, with the December ER slot now open.
My bet is Insight will fly in 2018, but you never know.

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Re: Atlas V 531 - AEHF-4 - October 11, 2017
« Reply #2 on: 08/02/2017 08:37 pm »
Now NET 2018:

Quote
Two satellite launches planned for this fall #AEHF4 and #SBIRSGEO4 are being delayed to 2018 due to separate issues spaceflightnow.com/2017/08/02/two…

https://twitter.com/spaceflightnow/status/892830508530503681

Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 18, 2018
« Reply #3 on: 12/29/2017 10:32 pm »
Thursday October 18, 2018
« Last Edit: 05/29/2018 02:18 am by vapour_nudge »

Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 5, 2018
« Reply #4 on: 05/22/2018 12:21 am »
Now Friday October 5th, 2018.
« Last Edit: 05/29/2018 02:18 am by vapour_nudge »

Offline Newton_V

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Re: Atlas V 531 - AEHF-4 - October 5, 2018
« Reply #5 on: 05/22/2018 12:57 pm »
Thread title should read:  Atlas V 551

Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #6 on: 05/29/2018 02:20 am »
This launch, one of 11 for ULA's Atlas V in 2016, has slipped to January 26, 2017. So now we're looking at 10 Atlas V launches this calendar year.  From memory, WHAP or Newton_V have suggested there may be another that slips to 2017.

We also lost the Mars Insight mission to 2018 or maybe never.

If I remember correctly, I think I was referring to this one as the "other one" slipping to 2017.  The Delta Ii was first, then Insight, the AEHF.  AV-070 is now the unassigned tail number, with the December ER slot now open.
My bet is Insight will fly in 2018, but you never know.

As it turns out, you showed great Insight there
« Last Edit: 09/10/2018 03:40 am by vapour_nudge »

Offline Targeteer

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 5, 2018
« Reply #7 on: 08/05/2018 02:26 am »
This has me a little confused...

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, California, has been awarded a $32,077,853 modification (P00720) to contract F04701-02-C-0002 for Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Satellite Vehicle 4.  The contract modification is to implement SV 4 operational resiliency phase one for the AEHF.  Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2021.  Fiscal 2018 space research; and development test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,086,205 are being obligated at the time of award.  Total cumulative face value of the contract is $9,236,908,810. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.
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Offline Targeteer

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 5, 2018
« Reply #8 on: 08/07/2018 05:26 am »
Several press stories indicate it arrived today

https://news.lockheedmartin.com/news-releases?item=128545

Powerful Communications Satellite for U.S. and Allies Shipped for Launch
Fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite will create global capability

Lockheed Martin built and tested the fourth AEHF satellite in Sunnyvale, California, before shipping it for launch. Two other satellites are in production.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) shipped the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite July 27 to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, where it will be prepared for an October liftoff aboard an Atlas V rocket.

“Four AEHF satellites in orbit means protected global connectivity for those who need it most, from the president to deployed soldiers,” said Michael Cacheiro, Lockheed Martin vice president of Protected Communications. “We offer powerful end-to-end systems so that more operational users can have assured connectivity in contested environments. Delivering this fourth satellite in orbit will be critical to the Air Force, as it will connect all four satellites on orbit, forming a geostationary ring to provide uninterrupted global communications.”

AEHF communications are jam-proof and offer low probability of detection or interception, and the four-satellite constellation will be able to deliver that capability worldwide.

The satellite enables military communications with real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data, boosted by a five-fold increase in individual user data rates. This delivery comes at a time when more troops are on the cusp of using AEHF’s benefits with a new generation of terminals that will soon be available based on both DOD and commercial models.

The AEHF system 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. A single AEHF satellite provides greater total capacity than the entire legacy five-satellite Milstar constellation.

Lockheed Martin is under contract to deliver six AEHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment. The first three AEHF satellites are on orbit, and AEHF-5 and -6 are progressing on schedule. All satellites are assembled at the company’s Sunnyvale, California, facility.
« Last Edit: 08/07/2018 05:33 am by Targeteer »
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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 5, 2018
« Reply #9 on: 08/08/2018 02:43 am »
Road to Launch - AEHF4: Episode 1, The Thermal-Space-Blanket signing ceremony

Space and Missile Systems Center Los Angeles AFB
Published on Aug 7, 2018

In this episode, we visit a thermal-space-blanket signing ceremony for the Advance Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) 4 satellite with US Air Force and Lockheed Martin Space personnel who worked on the project. The video talks about the significance of the ceremony and the importance of a "Thermal Blanket" in a satellite and/or space-craft.

"Road to Launch" is a video series covering some key moments for a satellite launch into orbit.

Featuring:
Ari Vogel - Senior Manager of Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations for AEHF, Lockheed Martin Space Systems

USA Col. David Ashley - AEHF Senior Material Leader, Military Satellite Communications, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

Producer: Walter Talens, SMC/PA



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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 5, 2018
« Reply #10 on: 08/14/2018 05:02 am »
Article on transporting AEHF-4 from CA to FL:

Quote
What it’s like to fly a billion-dollar satellite on the US Air Force’s largest plane
By Tim Fernholz in Moffett FieldAugust 12, 2018

https://qz.com/1346279/big-plane/

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #11 on: 08/22/2018 08:28 pm »
Cross-post, launch window apparently straddles EDT midnight, October 17 into October 18:
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html
Quote
ATLAS 5

The next United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, flying with the maximum five
SRBs, will launch AEHF-4 for the US Air Force on October 17 or 18 at the very earliest, around
midnight EDT. The launch window stretches two hours.
***

EDIT 9/10:
An adjustment to the launch window?
Air Force releases new target dates for upcoming military launches, dated September 7
Quote
The launch window opens shortly after midnight EDT (0400 GMT) on Oct. 17.
« Last Edit: 09/10/2018 10:21 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #12 on: 09/17/2018 03:30 pm »
Jacques :-)

Offline jjyach

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #13 on: 09/20/2018 02:25 pm »
Not sure it it has been reported yet, but the Atlas V booster (and centaur) are stacked in the VIF.

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #14 on: 09/23/2018 03:22 pm »
Cross-post re: clarification of launch window:
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html
Quote
The next United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, flying with the maximum five SRBs, will launch AEHF-4 for the US Air Force on October 17 at 12:15am EDT. The launch window stretches two hours to 2:15am EDT.
04:15 - 06:15 UTC

EDT = UTC - 4 hours
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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #15 on: 10/03/2018 06:30 pm »

Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #16 on: 10/04/2018 06:20 am »
Anyone understand why the third Centaur burn is not performed at apogee?
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Offline edkyle99

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #17 on: 10/04/2018 02:06 pm »
This one going to a different orbit than the prior AEHF's which were supersynchronous to something like 225 x 50,000 km x 20.9 deg and only used two Centaur burns.  AEHF-4 will go to a 8,914 km x 35,299 km x 12.8 deg using three burns, which is probably less delta-v to GEO.  I'm not sure about the slightly pre-apogee burn.  Perhaps it has to do with tracking coverage?  Maybe the graphic exaggerates the orbit?

 - Ed Kyle 
« Last Edit: 10/04/2018 02:08 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline Newton_V

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #18 on: 10/04/2018 06:05 pm »
Anyone understand why the third Centaur burn is not performed at apogee?

Likely a combination of any or all of:
Time to SV-Sep is greatly reduced with small impact to performance (didn't calculate time from TA of 145ish to 180)
SV or LV battery/power requirements
SV or LV thermal requirements
Post-SVSep mission ops
others

This mission design used to be on a 531 with more traditional GTO.  Possible this new mission design is within analyzed ranges of previous analyses, and coasting a few more hours would necessitate more analyses and re-qual of components.

BTW, I think that orbit inclination is closer to 12.6 and the perigee closer to 9200 km.
About a 900 m/s DV to GSO

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Re: Atlas V 551 - AEHF-4 - October 17, 2018
« Reply #19 on: 10/04/2018 06:20 pm »
Anyone understand why the third Centaur burn is not performed at apogee?

Likely a combination of any or all of:
Time to SV-Sep is greatly reduced with small impact to performance (didn't calculate time from TA of 145ish to 180)
SV or LV battery/power requirements
SV or LV thermal requirements
Post-SVSep mission ops
others


reduces boiloff, N2H4, maybe He.

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