Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 12, 2014  (Read 97104 times)

Offline satwatcher

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 138
  • Liked: 101
  • Likes Given: 100
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #20 on: 12/08/2014 10:24 am »
Reading the source I saw one off Australia (Tasmania) about 12 hours after launch....

You are right, I missed that one.

Quote
HYDROPAC 3663/14 [1 of 1][[WWNWSFOLDER]]

SOUTHEASTERN INDIAN OCEAN.
ROCKETS.
DNC 05.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 1302Z TO 1408Z DAILY
12 THRU 17 DEC IN AREA BOUND BY
45-05S 137-58E, 50-01S 143-12E,
51-38S 139-46E, 46-34S 134-41E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 171508Z DEC 14.//

Authority: WESTERN RANGE OP W7260 210204Z NOV 14.

Date:
Cancel: 17150800 Dec 14

Offline input~2

  • Moderator
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6810
  • Liked: 1540
  • Likes Given: 567
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #21 on: 12/08/2014 07:38 pm »
Corresponding Centaur deorbit NOTAM

Quote
F8844/14 -  ROCKET LAUNCH AND RE-ENTRY WILL TAKE PLACE STATIONARY ALTITUDE RESERVATION REQUEST DAILY FM 1302Z TO 1408Z ON THE 13TH-17TH DEC 2014 FOR WESTERN RANGE OPERATION. LAUNCH IS SFC TO UNLIMITED ALTITUDES WITHIN AN AREA BOUNDED BY THE FOLLOWING COORDINATES: S45 05 E137 58 S50 01 E143 12 S51 38 E139 46 S46 34 E134 41 THE ABOVE AREA IS A HAZARDOUS(RE-ENTRY)AREA. SFC - UNL, 12 DEC 13:02 2014 UNTIL 17 DEC 14:08 2014. CREATED: 04 DEC 04:06 2014

Offline Targeteer

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6153
  • near hangar 18
  • Liked: 3364
  • Likes Given: 1138
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #22 on: 12/08/2014 07:40 pm »
The source is not identified in the previous posts so for those, like me, curious of where to find such info, a google search yielded this http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/MISC/warn/dm_p.html.   Interesting that NGA provides the first unclassified details on an NRO launch when similar launches, and perhaps this one, directly support NGA.  The front page for the link earlier is http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline edkyle99

  • Expert
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15391
    • Space Launch Report
  • Liked: 8566
  • Likes Given: 1356
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #23 on: 12/09/2014 03:35 am »
That other website notes that RL10C-1 will produce 22,890 lbs of thrust, more than RL10A-4-2 (22,300 lbs) but less than RL10B-2 (24,750 lbs).  No mention of specific impulse.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline pericynthion

  • GNC / Comms Engineer
  • Full Member
  • **
  • Posts: 289
  • Liked: 426
  • Likes Given: 167
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #24 on: 12/09/2014 03:58 am »
There's severe weather forecast to hit the California coast Thursday.  The worst of it will be further north, but Vandenberg is still showing rain showers all day with sustained 30+ mph winds. Anyone know the limits on an Atlas V launch?

Offline Steven Pietrobon

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39215
  • Adelaide, Australia
    • Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive
  • Liked: 32735
  • Likes Given: 8178
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #25 on: 12/09/2014 05:08 am »
The press release below says 7:17 pm PDT, but California is on PST. So that makes it 2:17 UTC assuming PDT or 3:17 UTC assuming PST.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil

ATLAS LAUNCH SCHEDULED

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch a
United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance
Office payload from Space Launch Complex-3 here Thursday, Dec. 11, with a
launch window opening at 7:17 p.m. PDT. 

Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander will be the launch decision
authority.

"Our team and mission partners have put a lot of hard work into preparing
for this important mission for our Nation," said Balts. "We are looking
forward to a safe and successful launch to close out an amazing year."

The 4th Space Launch Squadron is in charge of mission assurance and safety
for this launch operation. 

"A launch like this takes teamwork and dedication," said Lt. Col. James
Bodnar, 4th SLS commander.  "Our mission assurance technicians and engineers
have worked hand-in-hand with United Launch Alliance going over critical
procedures and tasks to ensure this launch is a safe and successful one."
« Last Edit: 12/09/2014 05:08 am by Steven Pietrobon »
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline cape51

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 171
  • Riverside, CA
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 3
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #26 on: 12/09/2014 12:39 pm »
Anyone ever go to a launch at Vandenburg?  I was thinking about driving up there but not sure if it is worth the 3.5 hour drive + weather on Thursday.  If anyone has been to one, I'd like to hear your thoughts.
CAPE51
"SEE YOU ON THE FLIP SIDE."

Offline OrbitalToast

  • Member
  • Posts: 1
  • California
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 1
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #27 on: 12/09/2014 04:28 pm »
Anyone know how likely Surf Beach is to be open? Given that it's about 3 miles from the launch site...

Offline hartspace

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 320
  • Liked: 297
  • Likes Given: 149
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #28 on: 12/09/2014 05:31 pm »
Anyone know how likely Surf Beach is to be open? Given that it's about 3 miles from the launch site...

Surf is typically closed for Atlas launches.  The best place to go is Renwick Ave, opposite the NASA hanger off of Hwy 246.  You can see the top of the SLC-3 tower and that is the closest you can get.

Offline xcel102

  • Member
  • Posts: 14
  • USA
  • Liked: 2
  • Likes Given: 19
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #29 on: 12/09/2014 06:13 pm »
Anyone ever go to a launch at Vandenburg?  I was thinking about driving up there but not sure if it is worth the 3.5 hour drive + weather on Thursday.  If anyone has been to one, I'd like to hear your thoughts.
I had planned to go see this one but now decided to cancel. For me from San Diego it's 4-5 hours drive, not worth it since the rocket will likely fly into the clouds very quickly.

I did see the WorldView 3 in August, it was a mostly clear day and my first-ever launch viewing. Like hartspace said, Atlas V / SLC-3E can be viewed pretty close from Renwick Ave, about 3 miles but can't see the bottom 1/3 of the rocket.

Online ZachS09

  • Space Savant
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8406
  • Roanoke, TX
  • Liked: 2344
  • Likes Given: 2060
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #30 on: 12/09/2014 08:16 pm »
Just because this Atlas V launch will debut a new Centaur engine, does that mean there will be a visual difference in the engine?
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline hartspace

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 320
  • Liked: 297
  • Likes Given: 149
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #31 on: 12/09/2014 11:31 pm »
I had planned to go see this one but now decided to cancel. For me from San Diego it's 4-5 hours drive, not worth it since the rocket will likely fly into the clouds very quickly.
If it isn't overcast in San Diego, you might get a good view if you have a good view to the west.  Since this seems to be a "coast-hugger" flight path, it will be closer to SoCal than normal VAFB launches.  I've seen a couple of night launches from my backyard in Orange County.

Offline kevin-rf

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • Overlooking the path Mary's little Lamb took..
  • Liked: 1318
  • Likes Given: 306
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #32 on: 12/09/2014 11:54 pm »
Just because this Atlas V launch will debut a new Centaur engine, does that mean there will be a visual difference in the engine?

Only in second stage flight. Until then it will be fully encapsulated under the fairing.
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline jimvela

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1662
  • Liked: 900
  • Likes Given: 71
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #33 on: 12/09/2014 11:57 pm »
Anyone ever go to a launch at Vandenburg?  I was thinking about driving up there but not sure if it is worth the 3.5 hour drive + weather on Thursday.  If anyone has been to one, I'd like to hear your thoughts.
I had planned to go see this one but now decided to cancel. For me from San Diego it's 4-5 hours drive, not worth it since the rocket will likely fly into the clouds very quickly.

I did see the WorldView 3 in August, it was a mostly clear day and my first-ever launch viewing. Like hartspace said, Atlas V / SLC-3E can be viewed pretty close from Renwick Ave, about 3 miles but can't see the bottom 1/3 of the rocket.

I may well have met you that day- I was streaming the ULA countdown from a mobile broadband connection in a white rental car to a 40" LED TV in the trunk of a red rental car.  (Give some of the spacecraft team a day off and a chance...)

At any rate, Ocean/Renwick is a darned good place to see an Atlas launch (except for the obstructed bottom 1/3 of the rocket during liftoff).

I don't know what the local weather was doing.

BTW, there are threads here on NSF for best viewing locations for the various launch sites...

Offline edkyle99

  • Expert
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15391
    • Space Launch Report
  • Liked: 8566
  • Likes Given: 1356
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #34 on: 12/10/2014 12:22 am »
Here's a story titled "Vandenberg AFB prepping for West Coast's most powerful launch ever".
http://lompocrecord.com/news/local/military/vandenberg/vandenberg-afb-prepping-for-west-coast-s-most-powerful-launch/article_e8cd298c-4cb9-52a2-82bf-e17ef3915ec3.html

How soon they forget! 

Titan 4B - (remember?) - was more powerful, heavier, more capable, etc, than Atlas 541. 

Not to mention Delta 4 Heavy!

 - Ed Kyle

Offline kevin-rf

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • Overlooking the path Mary's little Lamb took..
  • Liked: 1318
  • Likes Given: 306
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #35 on: 12/10/2014 12:31 am »
But Atlas begins with an A, and A comes first in the alphabet, so Titan and Delta are out of luck. Besides only Atlas is powerful enough to lift the whole world on his shoulders ;)
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Online ZachS09

  • Space Savant
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8406
  • Roanoke, TX
  • Liked: 2344
  • Likes Given: 2060
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #36 on: 12/10/2014 12:43 am »
Just because this Atlas V launch will debut a new Centaur engine, does that mean there will be a visual difference in the engine?

Only in second stage flight. Until then it will be fully encapsulated under the fairing.

But then if there was a rocket-cam, we would know for sure during second stage performance. And, it would probably not be shown at all, if there was one, after payload fairing separation.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline WHAP

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 795
  • Liked: 105
  • Likes Given: 8
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #37 on: 12/10/2014 02:03 am »

Just because this Atlas V launch will debut a new Centaur engine, does that mean there will be a visual difference in the engine?

Only in second stage flight. Until then it will be fully encapsulated under the fairing.

But then if there was a rocket-cam, we would know for sure during second stage performance. And, it would probably not be shown at all, if there was one, after payload fairing separation.

There isn't enough of a difference to notice in the flight configuration unless you know what you're looking for, especially with the wide angle of the camera.
ULA employee.  My opinions do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Offline edkyle99

  • Expert
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15391
    • Space Launch Report
  • Liked: 8566
  • Likes Given: 1356
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #38 on: 12/10/2014 02:18 am »
Just because this Atlas V launch will debut a new Centaur engine, does that mean there will be a visual difference in the engine?
There are some visible differences, but both share the basic RL10 core. 

The previous RL10A-4-2 had a single composite nozzle extension.  The extension was originally extendable, like that shown in the attached photo for Atlas III, but it is now fixed on Atlas V.

RL10B-2 has an enormous three-piece nozzle extension, the lower two parts of which are extendable.  The attached photo shows one being test fired with nozzle fully extended.  It is used by Delta 4.

RL10C-1 is essentially an RL10B-2 minus the lower two nozzle extensions, plus a few other smaller changes.  It will look similar to RL10A-4-2, but slightly different!

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 12/10/2014 02:19 am by edkyle99 »

Offline Prober

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10348
  • Save the spin....I'm keeping you honest!
  • Nevada
  • Liked: 721
  • Likes Given: 729
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 541 - NROL-35 - December 11, 2014
« Reply #39 on: 12/10/2014 02:49 am »
Just looked up the weather, was about to set the gps to travel...
doesn't look good

THURSDAY - Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Highs in the lower to mid 60s. Southeast winds around 15 mph - increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph late in the afternoon.

THURSDAY NIGHT - Rain. A slight chance of thunderstorms. Rain may be heavy at times in the evening. Lows in the upper 40s to mid 50s. Southeast winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph becoming southwest 15 to 25 mph after midnight.

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forecast/w-Vandenberg-AFB-California.html#ixzz3LSmp5hAz

anyone know the wind restraints?

2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
1