Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013  (Read 77675 times)

Offline jacqmans

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LIVE: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« on: 08/16/2011 04:07 pm »
U.S. Air Force's Second Missile Warning Satellite Completes Major Environmental Test at Lockheed Martin

Date(s): 16-Aug-2011 10:02 AM

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has successfully completed acoustic testing of the second Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-2) spacecraft.

The U.S. Air Force's SBIRS satellites provide the nation with significantly improved missile warning capabilities and simultaneously support other critical missions including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.

During acoustic testing, the fully integrated GEO-2 spacecraft was paced through the maximum sound and vibration levels expected during launch into orbit. Acoustic and pyroshock testing are among several critical environmental test phases that validate the overall satellite design, quality of workmanship and survivability during space vehicle launching and on-orbit operations. GEO-2 will now undergo thermal vacuum testing, which will validate its performance at temperature extremes greater than those expected during on-orbit operations.

"SBIRS GEO-2 is progressing very smoothly on the path to delivery, and successful acoustic testing of the space vehicle is indicative of the team's increasing expertise in fielding SBIRS spacecraft," said Col Scott Larrimore, Chief of the U.S. Air Force's SBIRS Space Division. "Our dedicated government and industry SBIRS team is focused on executing an efficient and thorough environmental test phase and ultimately delivering the much needed capabilities SBIRS GEO-2 will bring to our warfighter."

The first geosynchronous (GEO-1) SBIRS satellite was launched May 7, and has since reached orbit, deployed its instruments and activated its sophisticated infrared sensors. GEO-1 is performing as expected, and is now undergoing early orbit testing. GEO-2 is on track to be delivered and available for launch in spring 2012.

"Leveraging expertise gained from GEO-1, our SBIRS team executed a very smooth acoustic testing phase on GEO-2," said Dave Sheridan, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS deputy program director. "We understand the importance of the SBIRS system and are committed to delivering GEO-2 efficiently and affordably for our customer."

The SBIRS team is led by the Infrared Space Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Lockheed Martin is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman as the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.

Lockheed Martin's original SBIRS contract includes HEO payloads, two geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The team is also under a follow-on production contract to deliver additional HEO payloads and the third and fourth GEO satellites, and associated ground modifications.

Note to Editors:

SBIRS video and high-resolution images are available for download at www.lockheedmartin.com/sbirs

« Last Edit: 03/19/2013 03:00 pm by Chris Bergin »
Jacques :-)

Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: SBIRS/GEO-2 updates - launch 2012
« Reply #1 on: 01/12/2013 12:32 am »
Does anyone know the Atlas V serial number (tail number) for this launch ? AV-0??

(Spaceflightnow launch schedule quotes this launch at March 14)
« Last Edit: 01/12/2013 12:39 am by vapour_nudge »

Offline jacqmans

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Re: SBIRS/GEO-2 updates - launch 2012
« Reply #2 on: 01/17/2013 09:07 pm »
« Last Edit: 01/17/2013 09:14 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 14, 2013
« Reply #4 on: 01/17/2013 09:12 pm »
« Last Edit: 01/17/2013 09:18 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline Skyrocket

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 14, 2013
« Reply #5 on: 01/22/2013 12:11 pm »
Any info on the Atlas serial number?

Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #6 on: 02/10/2013 06:27 am »
Launch date is now 19th of March according to ULA.

http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Launch.shtml#/36/

« Last Edit: 02/10/2013 07:34 am by jacqmans »

Offline rocketeer

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #7 on: 02/10/2013 08:44 pm »
A spreadsheet entitled "Atlas V History" from ULA (June 2012) offers the following Tentative Launch Schedule that provides the tail numbers:

AV-037  SBIRS G-2
AV-038  GeoEye 2 (just postponed indefinately)
AV-039  GPS-4
AV-040  MUOS-2
AV-041  AEHF-3
AV-042  MAVEN
AV-043  NROL-39
AV-044  TDRS-L
AV-045  NROL-33
AV-046  DMSP-19
AV-047  MUOS-3
AV-049  GPS-5
AV-048  WorldView 3

    The list must be regarded as unofficial, but the payload order is consistent with the tentative launch dates for Atlas provided at
spaceflightnow.com into early 2014. Hopefully the tail numbers for
the next few missions will be confirmed on ULA launch patches (as
was the case for AV-036 of TDRS-K last week). I hope this list is
helpful for everybody!

Offline FFD

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #8 on: 03/04/2013 08:37 pm »
Alternative target: 2010 GM23.

Offline edkyle99

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #9 on: 03/05/2013 01:30 am »
    The list must be regarded as unofficial,
If ULA has decided not to publish an official mission number, or vehicle number, than that list has to be "unofficial".  If ULA doesn't want their vehicles listed with a number, than why bother?  Just refer to the payload.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline Jim

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #10 on: 03/05/2013 02:20 am »
    The list must be regarded as unofficial,
If ULA has decided not to publish an official mission number, or vehicle number, than that list has to be "unofficial".  If ULA doesn't want their vehicles listed with a number, than why bother?  Just refer to the payload.

 - Ed Kyle

They do publish them, just not timely enough for you.

Offline edkyle99

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #11 on: 03/05/2013 02:35 am »
    The list must be regarded as unofficial,
If ULA has decided not to publish an official mission number, or vehicle number, than that list has to be "unofficial".  If ULA doesn't want their vehicles listed with a number, than why bother?  Just refer to the payload.

 - Ed Kyle

They do publish them, just not timely enough for you.
Mind if I ask where?  ULA doesn't include them in their press kit, or in their on-line mission coverage.  Goddard's Mission Set Database has even stopped listing the numbers.

 - Ed Kyle

Online Galactic Penguin SST

Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #12 on: 03/05/2013 03:30 am »
Just confirmed on the ULA website: launch time is 5:21 pm EDT (21:21Z) on March 19. Launch window is 40 minutes long.
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #13 on: 03/05/2013 12:11 pm »
    The list must be regarded as unofficial,
If ULA has decided not to publish an official mission number, or vehicle number, than that list has to be "unofficial".  If ULA doesn't want their vehicles listed with a number, than why bother?  Just refer to the payload.

 - Ed Kyle

They do publish them, just not timely enough for you.


Mind if I ask where?  ULA doesn't include them in their press kit, or in their on-line mission coverage.  Goddard's Mission Set Database has even stopped listing the numbers.

 - Ed Kyle

Pictures from the pad prior to the last launch posted on this site showed the AV number on a label at the base of the 1st stage. Also FYI on your web page there's a statement: "Eight of nine launches performed so far this year have been powered off the pad by Russian rocket engines. " however I think that should have been "Seven of nine"


« Last Edit: 03/05/2013 12:14 pm by vapour_nudge »

Offline edkyle99

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #14 on: 03/05/2013 06:38 pm »
... however I think that should have been "Seven of nine"
Thanks for that.  Fixed. 

A paper label taped to a panel that happens to be photographed and sometimes published isn't good enough.  Vehicle identification will have to stay generic in my reports unless ULA explicitly provides the information.

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 03/06/2013 02:25 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline Targeteer

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #15 on: 03/11/2013 11:58 am »
SBIRS GEO-2 Launch Team to Hold Media Teleconference

http://spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=40285

Can these be monitored or recorded by non press personnel?
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Targeteer

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #16 on: 03/12/2013 05:01 pm »
SBIRS GEO-2 Launch Team to Hold Media Teleconference

http://spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=40285

Can these be monitored or recorded by non press personnel?


Did any of the press types out there take part or record the teleconference?
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #17 on: 03/16/2013 01:08 am »
ULA:

The Launch Readiness Review was completed today in preparation for the Air Force’s Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO-2 launch. The mission is set to liftoff on a ULA Atlas V on Tuesday, March 19 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The 40-minute launch window opens at 5:21 p.m. EDT. Today’s L-4 forecast shows a 70 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. I have included the mission booklet for information regarding this mission, as well as the mission artwork.

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Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #18 on: 03/17/2013 09:54 am »
What's the go with the ULA website? On the home page there are 3 separate items that are displayed. One has a picture of an Atlas launch and the caption states "NASA selects Delta II for ICESat-2" , followed by another picture this time of a Delta II launch with the  caption "Set to launch Atlas V SBIRS GEO-2"

Online Galactic Penguin SST

Re: Atlas-V - SBIRS/GEO-2 - March 19, 2013
« Reply #19 on: 03/17/2013 10:28 am »
What's the go with the ULA website? On the home page there are 3 separate items that are displayed. One has a picture of an Atlas launch and the caption states "NASA selects Delta II for ICESat-2" , followed by another picture this time of a Delta II launch with the  caption "Set to launch Atlas V SBIRS GEO-2"

Hmm..... try again with another broswer. It does not happen on my computer with Chrome!  ???

And this launch's logo looks really cool!  8)
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

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