Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas V 401 - NROL-79 - VAFB SLC-3E - March 1, 2017 (17:50 UTC) (Read 56732 times)

Targeteer · « **Reply #40 on:** 02/23/2017 05:31 am »

From the NRO Facebook page

We're one week from #NROL79, set to launch from 30th Space Wing (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.) on March 1, 2017 aboard an #AtlasV.

Launch mission partners include: United Launch Alliance Los Angeles Air Force Base, Home of Space and Missile Systems Center Air Force Space Command United States Air Force. Photo credit: ULA.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #41 on:** 02/23/2017 06:23 pm »

Atlas V to Launch NROL-79

Atlas V NROL-79 Mission ArtworkRocket/Payload: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 configuration rocket will launch the NROL-79 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

Date/Site/Launch Time: Wednesday, March 1, 2017, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The launch period is 9:30-10:30 a.m. ~~EST~~ PST.

Webcast: Tune in to ULA’s live launch day broadcast beginning at 9:30 a.m. ~~EST~~ PST.

Launch Notes: NROL-79 will mark the 70th Atlas V launch and the 35th in the 401 configuration since the rocket’s inaugural mission in 2002.

Launch Updates: To keep up to speed with updates to the launch countdown, dial the ULA launch hotline at 1-877-852-4321 or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch; hashtags #NROL79 and #AtlasV.

Go Atlas! Go Centaur! Go NROL-79!

EDIT: Update on ULALaunch web site changed EST to PST.

Newton_V · « **Reply #42 on:** 02/23/2017 06:43 pm »

Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 02/23/2017 06:23 pm

Atlas V to Launch NROL-79

Atlas V NROL-79 Mission ArtworkRocket/Payload: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 configuration rocket will launch the NROL-79 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

Date/Site/Launch Time: Wednesday, March 1, 2017, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The launch period is 9:30-10:30 a.m. EST.

Webcast: Tune in to ULA’s live launch day broadcast beginning at 9:30 a.m. EST.

Launch Notes: NROL-79 will mark the 70th Atlas V launch and the 35th in the 401 configuration since the rocket’s inaugural mission in 2002.

Launch Updates: To keep up to speed with updates to the launch countdown, dial the ULA launch hotline at 1-877-852-4321 or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch; hashtags #NROL79 and #AtlasV.

Go Atlas! Go Centaur! Go NROL-79!

I think that time is wrong. stay tuned...

Edit: EST is now PST

Newton_V · « **Reply #43 on:** 02/23/2017 09:50 pm »

Quote from: Targeteer on 02/23/2017 05:31 am

Launch mission partners include: United Launch Alliance Los Angeles Air Force Base, Home of Space and Missile Systems Center Air Force Space Command United States Air Force. Photo credit: ULA.

Well, it will be easy to remember which RD-180 flew on L-79...

Salo · « **Reply #44 on:** 02/25/2017 09:37 am »

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1095082/atlas-launch-scheduled

ATLAS LAUNCH SCHEDULED

30th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published February 24, 2017

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 on Wednesday, March 1, with a launch window opening at 9:49 a.m. PST.

Col. J. Christopher Moss, 30th Space Wing commander, will be the launch decision authority.

“We are postured for another successful Atlas launch," said Moss. “These missions are critical, and our team is excited to be a part of something that will have a global impact.”

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

"These launches require constant communication with a widespread team, especially with the unique challenges we faced during this mission," said Lt. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, 4th Space Launch Squadron commander and Air Force Launch Director for this mission. "With the wildfires and recent rains, the Air Force team worked closely with the United Launch Alliance to ensure a successful and safe launch."

Targeteer · « **Reply #45 on:** 02/25/2017 10:14 pm »

Vandenberg Facebook page...

BRUSH FIRE ON VANDENBERG

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Vandenberg Fire Department and Santa Barbara County responded to a brush fire on South Base today at approximately 12:40 p.m.
The fire was approximately 15 acres.
The fire is contained and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. There was no damage to property.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #46 on:** 02/26/2017 10:52 pm »

Atlas 5 rocket to provide spacelift for U.S. National Reconnaissance Office

http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/26/atlas-5-rocket-to-provide-spacelift-for-u-s-national-reconnaissance-office/

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #47 on:** 02/27/2017 11:43 am »

Quote

Marcia Smith‏ @SpcPlcyOnline 29m29 minutes ago

Wx is 90% go for Mar 1 Atlas V launch from VAFB at 9:50 am Pacific. ULA webcast begins 9:30 Pacific (12:30 pm ET). http://ulalaunch.com

https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/836187629246943233

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #48 on:** 02/27/2017 01:27 pm »

ULA:

everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V launch carrying the NROL-79 satellite. The mission is set to lift off on a ULA Atlas V rocket on Wednesday, March 1 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch time is 9:50 a.m. Pacific. Today’s L-3 forecast shows a 90 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Lyn

Weather Forecast

Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 10%

Primary concerns: Launch Visibility

ALL TIMES PACIFIC TIME

SATELLITE TEST

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

LAUNCH

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

BARS + TONE – 8:59 A.M.

PROGRAM START – 9:30 A.M.

DIGITAL SATELLITE C-BAND DOWNLINK
HD FORMAT
SATELLITE — SES 3
TRANSPONDER — 23
BAND — C-BAND DIGITAL
ORBITAL POSITION — 103°W
HD BANDWIDTH — 18 MHz (HALF TRANSPONDER`CD’)
UPLINK — 6394.000 V
DOWNLINK — 4169.000 H
SYMBOL RATE — 13
FEC — ¾
DATA RATE — 17.9705
DVBS – QPSK
MPEG 2
AUDIO EMBEDDED

Webcast available at www.ulalaunch.com and www.youtube.com/unitedlaunchalliance

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #49 on:** 02/27/2017 07:18 pm »

Quote

Launch Readiness Review passed for Wednesday's Atlas 5 to execute #NROL79 mission from California. Weather 90% GO

https://twitter.com/spaceflightnow/status/836300140143083520

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #50 on:** 02/27/2017 07:27 pm »

Quote from: ZachS09 on 02/26/2017 10:52 pm

Atlas 5 rocket to provide spacelift for U.S. National Reconnaissance Office

http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/26/atlas-5-rocket-to-provide-spacelift-for-u-s-national-reconnaissance-office/

Some interesting points re: Atlas delivery and 2 WDRs;
from a telephone interview last Friday afternoon with Lt. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, 4th Space Launch Squadron commander and the Air Force launch director:

Quote

“We were actually able to deliver the booster during the fires. We were able to offload the booster, and there really was no issues for this mission, specifically, but the WorldView 4 mission was delayed due to the fires and the subsequent build back up of the Range and the electrical infrastructure,” Zarybnisky said.

Then, a problem with the upper stage had to be rectified, causing a one-month slip.

“This mission has obviously been a little protracted than we would normally have. We moved the launch date twice — once due to the fires, that obviously drove some changes to our schedule, and then we had a technical issue during one of our wet dress rehearsals that we had to work through. We successfully fixed that issue, proved it out in a second wet dress rehearsal and we are moving forward,” Zarybnisky said.

Still, the mission is occurring within three months of the launch date selected more than two years ago.

Also, a Tony Bruno Tweet featuring a NROL-79 challenge coin!

***
Regarding this launch, are there any Notices to Airmen or Mariners posted?

russianhalo117 · « **Reply #51 on:** 02/27/2017 08:56 pm »

Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/27/2017 07:18 pm

Quote
Launch Readiness Review passed for Wednesday's Atlas 5 to execute #NROL79 mission from California. Weather 90% GO

https://twitter.com/spaceflightnow/status/836300140143083520

havent seen that view since the pad was converted to Atlas V.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #52 on:** 02/28/2017 12:16 am »

ULA:

The ULA Launch Readiness Review was completed today and everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V launch carrying the NROL-79 satellite. The mission is set to lift off on a ULA Atlas V rocket on Wednesday, March 1 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch time is 9:50 a.m. Pacific. Today’s L-2 forecast shows a 90 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

Targeteer · « **Reply #53 on:** 02/28/2017 03:33 pm »

https://www.facebook.com/NationalReconnaissanceOffice/photos/
a.1544403572457698.1073741828.1442712095960180/1941617662736285/?type=3&theater

#NROL79 is scheduled to launch on March 1, 2017, from Space Launch Complex-3, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Ca., aboard a @ulalaunch #AtlasV rocket. A four-meter diameter fairing will protect the payload during ascent. On Feb. 15, 2017, the payload was mated to the #AtlasV rocket at VAFB.

NROL79 is the 46th NRO launch since 1996 and the 24th from Vandenberg. It is the 14th NRO mission to launch on an AtlasV.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #54 on:** 02/28/2017 06:54 pm »

Ted Molczan posts NROL-79 search elements on Seesat-l:
http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Feb-2017/0109.html

He's predicting an initial orbit: 1013 X 1200 km X 63.4 deg

An interesting mention re: launch time, if the launch is delayed from March 1.

Quote

The planar window opens about 14 min. earlier each day.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #55 on:** 02/28/2017 07:43 pm »

Quote

The #AtlasV stands 188 feet tall or about 19 stories and weighs 750,000 pounds fully fueled. #NROL79

https://twitter.com/natreconofc/status/836672870663102465

catdlr · « **Reply #56 on:** 02/28/2017 08:15 pm »

LAUNCH ALERT

Brian Webb
Ventura County, California
[email protected]
www.spacearchive.info

2017 February 28 (Tuesday) 12:34 PST
----------------------------------------------------------------------

WEDNESDAY LAUNCH

Tomorrow morning's planned launch of an Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg
AFB appears to be on schedule. The vehicle is slated to lift off from
Space Launch Complex 3-East on south base at 9:50 a.m., the start of
an unannounced launch window.

The latest weather forecast calls for a 90% probability of acceptable
weather at launch time.

Following liftoff, the rocket will rise vertically for several seconds
before gradually pitching over to nearly horizontal flight. The
direction of flight has not been announced, but based on past Atlas V
launches, it will probably be towards the southeast to southwest.

The rocket will exhibit an orange flame during the first few minutes
of flight and briefly produce a thick white contrail as it passes
through altitudes of approximately 33,000 to 38,000 feet.

If the launch goes as planned, the Atlas will place a classified
payload into orbit for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

If the sky is clear, the first stage flame could be visible as far
away as Carpinteria and San Luis Obispo. The contrail may be visible
as far away as Thousand Oaks and King City.

People in very quiet locations in coastal Santa Barbara and Ventura
Counties and the western Santa Monica mountains may hear a distant,
muffled rumble or perhaps a sonic boom from the launch some time
between four and 12 minutes after liftoff.

For launch and countdown status, go to:

spaceflightnow.com

www.ulalaunch.com

For information on viewing Vandenberg rocket and missile launches, go
to:

www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTIONS?

Because of my schedule and other factors, I will not be able to answer
questions about tomorrow's launch or launch viewing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2017, Brian Webb. All rights reserved. No portion of this
newsletter may be used without identifying Launch Alert as the
source and providing a functioning hyperlink or text that point to
http://www.spacearchive.info/newsletter.htm.

catdlr · « **Reply #57 on:** 02/28/2017 08:25 pm »

Atlas V NROL-79 Mission Profile

United Launch Alliance

Published on Feb 28, 2017
An Atlas V 401 rocket with launch this national security mission.

Targeteer · « **Reply #58 on:** 03/01/2017 12:41 am »

Medusa on the shield carried by Athena?

https://www.facebook.com/NationalReconnaissanceOffice/
photos/a.1544403572457698.1073741828.1442712095960180/1941647782733273/?type=3&theater

The #NROL79 mission patch depicts Athena, mythical goddess of military victory and wisdom. Athena is the embodiment of wisdom and reason who fought for just reasons and was fierce and brave in battle. She protected the heroes as they went out to war and saved them as they returned home. Athena also gave precious advice and stood by in the face of danger. “Victoriam Per Intelligentiam” or “Victory Through Intelligence” is inscribed along the #NROL79 mission patch.

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #59 on:** 03/01/2017 01:23 am »

Moved for live coverage.