LIVE: Atlas V - NROL-34 - April 14, 2011

[DaveJes1979]

Does anyone have word on launch windows if they scrub Thursday?

[Chris Bergin]

ULA:

Everything continues to go well as we progress towards the launch of Atlas V NROL-34 on Thursday night. The launch time is set for 9:24 p.m. PDT. We’ve had a bit of a change in weather, with the possibility of high wind gusts during MST roll and into the launch time. In terms of wind constraints, it is now looking like a 30% chance of acceptable weather for launch. The winds look the same for an attempt on April 15 as well.

[robertross]

ULA:

Everything continues to go well as we progress towards the launch of Atlas V NROL-34 on Thursday night. The launch time is set for 9:24 p.m. PDT. We’ve had a bit of a change in weather, with the possibility of high wind gusts during MST roll and into the launch time. In terms of wind constraints, it is now looking like a 30% chance of acceptable weather for launch. The winds look the same for an attempt on April 15 as well.

Ah, weather. Quite the change from 0% of probability of launch violation.

[rdale]

Sorry I wasn't paying close attention to this thread

[DaveJes1979]

Any weather updates?

[Satori]

Moved for live coverage!

[Satori]

Webcast will be available at http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml

[Chris Bergin]

L-0: Thursday, April 14

 

·         ~1700: MST Roll –

·         1700: Next ULA update

·         2000: 30 SW/PA meets media at the Main Gate Visitor Control for escort to media launch viewing site

·         2104: The NROL-34 launch will be carried live beginning 20 minutes prior to launch and will conclude approximately 4.5 minutes following launch. A simulcast of the broadcast can be viewed here: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml

·         2124: Opening of the launch window (9:24 p.m. PDT)

[HyperTay]

Edit: Never mind, I am mixing up my times! Carry on, Go Atlas! Go NRO!

[Chris Bergin]

ULA:

We are almost 4 hours from the launch of Atlas V NROL-34 from Space Launch Complex-3. We have just received the OK to roll the mobile service tower (MST) back and the operation will be complete within the hour. Winds are still a concern at T-0, but they are expected to begin to die down around 7 p.m. PDT. The weather officer is reporting a 30% chance of acceptable weather for launch.

[Chris Bergin]

ULA:

Entered the first of the planned holds about 15 minutes ago.

[Chris Bergin]

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (April 14, 2011) -  A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the National Reconnaissance Office’s L-34 payload stands ready to launch from Space Launch Complex-3 here after the mobile service tower rolled back into its parked position earlier this evening. The opening of the launch window is set for 9:24 p.m. PDT. Tonight’s launch marks the 25th launch of the Atlas V vehicle since its first launch in August 2002. This mission is in support of national security. Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.

[Ronsmytheiii]

Ula doesn't seem to have a link to Windows media stream this time...

[Chris Bergin]

Another excellent launch article by William Graham:


http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/04/ula-atlas-v-launch-with-nrol-34/

[Chris Bergin]

ULA:

We are 2 hours from launch and the team is preparing for cryogenic tanking. The board is green as we get closer to launch. Winds remain the only issue.