LIVE: Atlas V 401 - GPS IIF-8 - October 29, 2014

[beidou]

4th GPS launch in 2014.

William Graham's excellent feature article for this mission:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/10/ula-atlas-v-gps-iif-8-launch/

Launch Coverage Sponsored by ATK:

[beidou]

GPS IIF-8, slated for launch during the fourth quarter, arrived at Cape Canaveral on July 16 to undergo final launch preparations.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

According to http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html the 50th Atlas V is scheduled to liftoff at 1:19 - 1:37 pm Eastern on October 29 (17:19 - 17:37 UTC). 

[vapour_nudge]

It should be the 50th Atlas V launch. Regardless of fan clubs or not, it's shown itself to be a very reliable launch vehicle that launches on time more often than not. All the best to them.

[Kim Keller]

It should be the 50th Atlas V launch. Regardless of fan clubs or not, it's shown itself to be a very reliable launch vehicle that launches on time more often than not. All the best to them.

By coincidence the tail number of this mission's Atlas is AV-050.

[WHAP]

It should be the 50th Atlas V launch. Regardless of fan clubs or not, it's shown itself to be a very reliable launch vehicle that launches on time more often than not. All the best to them.

By coincidence the tail number of this mission's Atlas is AV-050.

Without an emoticon, people will think you are serious. 

[Skyrocket]

It should be the 50th Atlas V launch. Regardless of fan clubs or not, it's shown itself to be a very reliable launch vehicle that launches on time more often than not. All the best to them.

By coincidence the tail number of this mission's Atlas is AV-050.

Without an emoticon, people will think you are serious. 

As Atlas-V tail numbers are not sequential to the launch order, it is indeed by coincidence. See Atlas-V launch list for serial numbers: http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/atlas-5.htm

[Kim Keller]

It should be the 50th Atlas V launch. Regardless of fan clubs or not, it's shown itself to be a very reliable launch vehicle that launches on time more often than not. All the best to them.

By coincidence the tail number of this mission's Atlas is AV-050.

Without an emoticon, people will think you are serious. 

As Atlas-V tail numbers are not sequential to the launch order, it is indeed by coincidence. See Atlas-V launch list for serial numbers: http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/atlas-5.htm

Correct. AV-050 was originally assigned to MMS, now launching next spring. Delays to that payload, originally scheduled for this fall, prompted ULA to shuffle boosters around. And, AV-048 launched before AV-047.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Launch time has been slightly refined to 1:21 - 1:39 pm Eastern.

Someone may double check this, but it seems that this one is heading to orbital plane E - the last of 6 planes that has yet to receive a block IIF satellite. 

[jacqmans]

Atlas V to Launch GPS IIF-8 on Oct. 29

Atlas V GPS IIF-8 Mission ArtworkRocket/Payload:An Atlas V 401 will launch the GPS IIF-8 mission for the U.S. Air Force.

Date/Site/Launch Time: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The 18-minute launch window opens at 1:21 p.m. EDT.

Viewing the Launch by Webcast: The live webcast will begin at 1:01 p.m. EDT.

Mission Description: GPS satellites serve and protect our warfighters by providing navigational assistance for U.S. military operations on land, at sea, and in the air. Civilian users around the world also use and depend on GPS for highly accurate time, location, and velocity information.

GPS IIF-8 is one of the next-generation GPS satellites, incorporating various improvements to provide greater accuracy, increased signals, and enhanced performance for users.

Launch Notes: GPS IIF-8 will be ULA’s fourth GPS launch of 2014 and the 12th of the year. The mission will mark ULA’s 89th mission launched since the company was founded in 2006.
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 and twitter.com/ulalaunch; look for the #GPSIIF8 hashtag.

[macpacheco]

Launch time has been slightly refined to 1:21 - 1:39 pm Eastern.

Someone may double check this, but it seems that this one is heading to orbital plane E - the last of 6 planes that has yet to receive a block IIF satellite. 

Plane E has 6 satellites with an ideal 3 pair layout (within the current layout).
And the IIA birds on plane E are still operating very well (PRN10=70cm URE and PRN32=50cm URE).
There's no requirement to having 6 birds on an orbital plane today, so plane E might as well end up getting IIF-12 or IIF-11/12.
I would prefer to add birds to the planes with just 4 birds (bare minimum). Those are planes B and C.
Of those, plane B has just 2 L2C/M-Code capable birds. plane C has 3.
So logic would suggest adding to plane B.

There's no problem adding two IIIA later instead, leaving some plane without any IIF.

Hopefully PRN8 / SVN38 will be decommissioned to open up room in the almanac. It's been running at 140cm URE, twice as much error as the 90% best of the constellation. And its flying a triplet, so it can be gone without any loss.

But I'm thinking freely without any GPS constellation sustainment master plan... Some overriding consideration might exist.
USAF is amazingly transparent about it's GPS plans, but we need to keep in mind that unless otherwise decided everything internal about GPS is classified.

Train of though... :
Highest priority is keeping up with 24+3 constellation requirements (that means some orbital planes should have 5 birds minimum, some 4 birds minimum).
Second priority is being ready for M-Code IOC/FOC.
Preparations for L5 IOC/FOC comes later (number of IIF+future IIIA).
The E plane has two IIA satellites which will have to be replaced.
What matters is number of IIR-M + IIF for M-Code/L2C IOC/FOC. 3=ready for IOC, 4=ready for FOC
Plane A has 4
Plane B has 2
Plane C has 3
Plane D has 2
Plane E has 1
Plane F has 2
Another view is number of IIR+IIRM+IIF (aka what would happen if all IIA birds were deactivated tomorrow, each new IIF launched forces an active IIA into residual due to almanac limitations):
Plane A has 4
Plane B has 4
Plane C has 4
Plane D has 5
Plane E has 4
Plane F has 5

[grythumn]

But I'm thinking freely without any GPS constellation sustainment master plan... Some overriding consideration might exist.
USAF is amazingly transparent about it's GPS plans, but we need to keep in mind that unless otherwise decided everything internal about GPS is classified.

Train of though... :
Highest priority is keeping up with 24+3 constellation requirements (that means some orbital planes should have 5 birds minimum, some 4 birds minimum).
Second priority is being ready for M-Code IOC/FOC.
Preparations for L5 IOC/FOC comes later (number of IIF+future IIIA).
The E plane has two IIA satellites which will have to be replaced.

We ought to have a general GPS thread somewhere instead of having this discussion piecemeal in the launch threads.

Did you read the interview with Colonel Cooley in GPS World? There's an interesting quote in there about getting to 18 M-Code capable SVs (e.g. IOC) by 2017 to support MGUE. As I think everyone has been saying, this year has been about launching for capability, not just sustainment.

EDIT: Also new to me... GPS III and OCX have been pushed back to the second half of 2016. I knew they weren't making this year, but...

WBC: The M-code-capable military receiver (MGUE) modules in development have successfully acquired and tracked M-code during live-sky tests, and we have many more tests scheduled. MGUE is expected to begin fielding by 2017, at which point at least 18 M-code-capable GPS satellites are expected to be on orbit, providing global four-in-view coverage of full M-code capabilities.

http://gpsworld.com/latest-words-from-the-acquisition-guru-of-the-worlds-gold-standard-for-pnt/

-Bob

[macpacheco]

We ought to have a general GPS thread somewhere instead of having this discussion piecemeal in the launch threads.

Did you read the interview with Colonel Cooley in GPS World? There's an interesting quote in there about getting to 18 M-Code capable SVs (e.g. IOC) by 2017 to support MGUE. As I think everyone has been saying, this year has been about launching for capability, not just sustainment.

EDIT: Also new to me... GPS III and OCX have been pushed back to the second half of 2016. I knew they weren't making this year, but...

WBC: The M-code-capable military receiver (MGUE) modules in development have successfully acquired and tracked M-code during live-sky tests, and we have many more tests scheduled. MGUE is expected to begin fielding by 2017, at which point at least 18 M-code-capable GPS satellites are expected to be on orbit, providing global four-in-view coverage of full M-code capabilities.

http://gpsworld.com/latest-words-from-the-acquisition-guru-of-the-worlds-gold-standard-for-pnt/

-Bob

I am exactly focused on finding a balance between preparations for M-Code/L2C IOC (3 capable/properly spaced birds in all 6 orbital planes) with constellation sustainment (before the first IIIA can be launched, all IIA birds will have to be retired, as OCX is needed to control IIIA birds and OCX can`t control IIA birds).
In all likelihood, by IIF-10 the constellation will have 18 operational M-Code capable birds (assuming SVN49 will be used for M-Code only instead of totally in reserve), but the layout will be wrong (will need a few more launches to fill the gaps). With all IIF's in service they are likely able to close all gaps.

At the same time, by 2017 there should be 8 IIR-M, 12IIF, plus some 2 IIIA in service, totaling 22, pretty close to FOC (full operating capability). IIF-8 in 2014, IIF-9/10 in 2015, IIF-11/12 in 2016, IIIA-1/2 in 2017.

[grythumn]

I am exactly focused on finding a balance between preparations for M-Code/L2C IOC (3 capable/properly spaced birds in all 6 orbital planes) with constellation sustainment (before the first IIIA can be launched, all IIA birds will have to be retired, as OCX is needed to control IIIA birds and OCX can`t control IIA birds).

Didn't the Air Force announce a contract to get the disposal software to control the IIA SVs after the OCX transition? I *think* I remember something about that... <few minutes of googling later>

Hmm. From 2012:

The solution announced during the week at the National Space Symposium (NSS, April 16–19) by General William Shelton, the four-star chief of Air Force Space Command, is to fund the current LADO operator, Braxton Technologies, to build in this support for the IIAs. This is significant for several reasons: One, of course, is that it solves the IIA C2 issues, it does it now, and at a relatively modest cost, and it utilizes more of the capabilities of the Braxton Technologies’ LADO software. Additionally it provides a true backup capability for assets on orbit that become increasingly valuable as the number of available launch slots for GPS decreases.

http://gpsworld.com/the-system-gps-iii-endures-bad-press-iias-an-ocx-concern/

Has anyone heard anything about this since?

-Bob

[macpacheco]

I am exactly focused on finding a balance between preparations for M-Code/L2C IOC (3 capable/properly spaced birds in all 6 orbital planes) with constellation sustainment (before the first IIIA can be launched, all IIA birds will have to be retired, as OCX is needed to control IIIA birds and OCX can`t control IIA birds).

Didn't the Air Force announce a contract to get the disposal software to control the IIA SVs after the OCX transition? I *think* I remember something about that... <few minutes of googling later>

Hmm. From 2012:

The solution announced during the week at the National Space Symposium (NSS, April 16–19) by General William Shelton, the four-star chief of Air Force Space Command, is to fund the current LADO operator, Braxton Technologies, to build in this support for the IIAs. This is significant for several reasons: One, of course, is that it solves the IIA C2 issues, it does it now, and at a relatively modest cost, and it utilizes more of the capabilities of the Braxton Technologies’ LADO software. Additionally it provides a true backup capability for assets on orbit that become increasingly valuable as the number of available launch slots for GPS decreases.

http://gpsworld.com/the-system-gps-iii-endures-bad-press-iias-an-ocx-concern/

Has anyone heard anything about this since?

-Bob

No word on that actually being done. Anyhow... Why on earth would anybody want to keep the capability to use 25 yr old GPS satellites ? Most are on the last atomic clock or last reaction control wheel or the last usable bus.
Its one of those "lets spend some money so we get a feature we probably will never need anyways".
With another 2 IIF launches (and those birds set healthy), all remaining IIA's could simply be retired.
PRN13 being repositioned to PRN26 slot, then PRN26 can be retired (will form a triplet)
PRN4 can be retired right now (forming a triplet)
PRN8 can be retired right now (forming a triplet)
That leaves just PRN10 and PRN32 to be replaced with a IIF (IIF-8 and IIF-9)
The reason USAF leaves triplets doing to job of a pair is just because they can.
It's possible IIF-8 and/or IIF-9 will be launched into a IIR slot and the IIR will be repositioned to PRN10/PRN32 then that IIA can be retired.
It never ceases to amaze me how little the US govt cares about spending a dozen million dollars. Pocket change, since it doesn't come from the pocket of those that make the decisions.

[Jim]

It never ceases to amaze me how little the US govt cares about spending a dozen million dollars. Pocket change, since it doesn't come from the pocket of those that make the decisions.

Because it saves money in the long run.

[macpacheco]

It never ceases to amaze me how little the US govt cares about spending a dozen million dollars. Pocket change, since it doesn't come from the pocket of those that make the decisions.

Because it saves money in the long run.

No it doesn't. It would save money if the launch tempo were slowed down, reducing GPS IIIA launch / manufacturing expenditures, but that's not the plan.
Even if there were a 5 year gap between launching the last IIF and the first IIIA, there's no need to use GPS IIA birds, since the constellation will have 4 satellites in excess of its performance requirements (31 instead of 27).
One of the major GPS constellation goals is reaching L5 FOC ASAP, so civilian users can stop using semi codeless methods, so the air force can do whatever they feel is better for military needs, while today they are stuck with some restrictions due to semi codeless (civilian usage of P(Y) code). That requires 12 IIF + 12 IIIA operational satellites minimum (L5 capable). Hence even with all IIA fully retired, the constellation would have 12 IIIA + 12 IIF + 7 IIR-M + 12 IIR = 43 satellites. Or enough satellites that all IIR could all be set a residual and have same or better constellation geometry as today.
Right now only 5 IIA birds are still in operation, but in a year all of them won't be performing any useful work in the constellation.
Plus the IIA residual plan is based on a contingency that newer satellites might fail, yet that has never happened (a GPS satellite fail while in service). Not only are GPS satellites living 150+% over their stated mission life, but also, USAF 2nd SOPS have a spotless record of always detecting when there is a significant risk of a GPS bird failing in the next future, and scheduling a launch to replace it.

[Jim]

It never ceases to amaze me how little the US govt cares about spending a dozen million dollars. Pocket change, since it doesn't come from the pocket of those that make the decisions.

Because it saves money in the long run.

No it doesn't.

You don't have the information nor do you know enough about the requirements to make such a claim and your past claims have been grossly wrong.

[macpacheco]

It never ceases to amaze me how little the US govt cares about spending a dozen million dollars. Pocket change, since it doesn't come from the pocket of those that make the decisions.

Because it saves money in the long run.

No it doesn't.

You don't have the information nor do you know enough about the requirements to make such a claim and your past claims have been grossly wrong.

You understand a LOT about launch systems. However you have yet to show understanding of the many GPS segments and their components. I have studied this stuff. It's not rocket science. I don't need to convince you. But you are know not to bother to explain things.
If you disagree with me and care to make a stand, correct my statements. Otherwise, AFAIK you don't know enough about the GPS system to actually impress anybody.
I have my politically charged opinions and hunches, that doesn't make me a crazy person. I don't earn a living from rocketry and space.
My core area of expertise is computing hardware/software and telecommunications. GPS is far closer to computer hardware than rocketry. Its much closer to my alley than you think.
The only good reason for this GPS IIA support for OCX is that the company that proposed it is a smaller shop that USAF wants to throw a bone towards, perhaps they could do for GPS what SpaceX is doing for space launches, reducing cost and having more heart in it. That would actually be a good reason to spend a few dozen million dollars (getting a competent and competitive supplier that can do stuff much more cost effectively than LM or Boeing, also GPS system suppliers).

[Jim]

1.  You understand a LOT about launch systems. However you have yet to show understanding of the many GPS segments and their components. I have studied this stuff. It's not rocket science. I don't need to convince you. But you are know not to bother to explain things.
If you disagree with me and care to make a stand, correct my statements. Otherwise, AFAIK you don't know enough about the GPS system to actually impress anybody.
2.  I have my politically charged opinions and hunches, that doesn't make me a crazy person. I don't earn a living from rocketry and space.
3.  My core area of expertise is computing hardware/software and telecommunications. GPS is far closer to computer hardware than rocketry. Its much closer to my alley than you think.
4.  The only good reason for this GPS IIA support for OCX is that the company that proposed it is a smaller shop that USAF wants to throw a bone towards, perhaps they could do for GPS what SpaceX is doing for space launches, reducing cost and having more heart in it. That would actually be a good reason to spend a few dozen million dollars (getting a competent and competitive supplier that can do stuff much more cost effectively than LM or Boeing, also GPS system suppliers).

1. I know about spacecraft and constellation maintenance

2.  Ah, yes it does. 

3.  Not when it comes to the spacecraft and requirements.

4. See #2.  Crazy talk like this discredits any real knowledge you may have.

You don't know the real requirements wrt GPS, such as NDS requirements or other unmentioned users to make the claims you do.

[macpacheco]

Humm, so you probably mean USAF wants to keep IIA birds operational to run NUDET only on them, shutting down NUDET on IIR birds (and GPS payload on IIA birds) to save battery life... That might make some sense.

[beidou]

.

[chewi]

Booklet:

http://www.ulalaunch.com/uploads/docs/Mission_Booklets/AV/av_gpsiif8_mob.pdf

[beidou]

Booklet:

http://www.ulalaunch.com/uploads/docs/Mission_Booklets/AV/av_gpsiif8_mob.pdf

Attached here.

[jacqmans]

Atlas V • October 29, 1:21 pm 

Experience the memorable sights and sounds of the powerful roaring engines of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The Atlas V rocket launches the GPS IIF-8 satellite which provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users. Learn more about the rocket and the mission.

Launch Viewing

View the launch of the Atlas V rocket from NASA's launch headquarters in three prime locations that feature live launch commentary. Viewing is available at the Visitor Complex in two locations adjacent to Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Launch viewing at the Apollo/Saturn V Center is available on a limited basis. The last bus leaves the Visitor Complex at 11:45 am for the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Go online to purchase your admission:
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/tickets.aspx?utm_source=email&utm_medium=full-list&utm_campaign=KSC20141017_Launch-Alert-Atlas5_Oct29

 

[averagespacejoe]

Which mission patch is being used for GPS IIF-8? Lately the patches have been interesting

[BabaORileyUSA]

From eBay!

[Jim]

That is the LCSS patch (the spacecraft squadron.   The gator is the give away.
  This is the launch patch drawing.

[Colodie]

Since there was previous discussion of it, SVN-38/PRN-8 will be decommissioned before SVN-69 is set health.

http://gpsworld.com/eighth-gps-iif-set-to-launch-wednesday/

[Prober]

Almost missed this one...time for a bump.

Viewing the Launch by Webcast: The live webcast will begin at 1:01 p.m. EDT.

[Chris Bergin]

ULA:

Everything is progressing toward the Air Force’s GPS IIF-8 launch. The mission is set to lift off on a ULA Atlas V rocket on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 1:21 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Today’s L-3 forecast shows a 70 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

Link to the mission book. http://www.ulalaunch.com/uploads/docs/Mission_Booklets/AV/av_gpsiif8_mob.pdf

[edkyle99]

From the mission book:  11,047 x 141,047 nmi x 55.0 deg (20,459 x 261,219 km x 55.0 deg)?  Really?  Is this correct?

 - Ed Kyle

[gwiz]

Not for the payload, but possibly the Centaur disposal orbit?

[anik]

From the mission book:  11,047 x 141,047 nmi x 55.0 deg (20,459 x 261,219 km x 55.0 deg)?  Really?  Is this correct?

11,047 instead of 141,047.

[Targeteer]

From Twitter

ULA ‏@ulalaunch 13m13 minutes ago

ULA Launch Readiness Review is complete; we are GO for #GPSIIF8 launch on #AtlasV! Oct 29 window opens @ 1:21 pm EDT http://bit.ly/gpsiif8

[Chris Bergin]

ULA: The Launch Readiness Review was completed today in preparation for the Air Force’s GPS IIF-8 launch. The mission is set to lift off on a ULA Atlas V rocket on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 1:21 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Today’s L-2 forecast continues to show a 70 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Payload mate:

[Kim Keller]

Vehicle is on the pad for RP-1 load.

[jacqmans]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Oxidizer-rich stage combustion kerosene rocket engine..... 

[Antares]

That was built in the last few years.

[Chris Bergin]

Moved for live coverage.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

That was built in the last few years.

Yeah, and the RD-180 has a good track record, but turn your head to the RD-170 series and.......(I know that there were other problems on the Zenit that caused some of those failures, but still......)

Anyway here's to a good, beautiful flight in celebration of Atlas V reaching 50 flights! 

[Chris Bergin]

William Graham's excellent feature article for this mission:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/10/ula-atlas-v-gps-iif-8-launch/

[Chris Bergin]

90 mins to launch.

[Hunt101]

William Graham's excellent feature article for this mission:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/10/ula-atlas-v-gps-iif-8-launch/

William is my favorite writer. Another wonderful article.

[Chris Bergin]

ULA:
Everything is progressing toward the launch of the ULA Atlas V rocket with the U.S. Air Force’s GPS IIF-8 satellite.

The countdown is underway and the team is not working any technical issues at this time.

[Prober]

ULA:
Everything is progressing toward the launch of the ULA Atlas V rocket with the U.S. Air Force’s GPS IIF-8 satellite.

The countdown is underway and the team is not working any technical issues at this time.

[Prober]

Bars waiting on tone

[Chris Bergin]

15 mins to the webcast. Higher than usual interest in this thread.....can't think why! Stick around newbies, the successes are a lot more fun.

[Chris Bergin]

Removing guests as we're getting hammered during this peak time again.

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

ULA coverage beginning.

[Chris Bergin]

Hey Atlas!

[Orbiter]

Here we go!

"Atlas V rocket is fueled and ready to launch the GPS IIF-8 for the USAF"

[Orbiter]

T-4 minutes and holding. Into the planned 30 minute hold and no issues being worked. Launch window is 18 minutes in length.

[Chris Bergin]

In the hold at T-4 mins. No issues being worked.

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

ULA Coverage until T+20 mins.

[Prober]

looking good

[Chris Bergin]

Weather is green.

[Orbiter]

Final weather briefing came in as within the criteria. Probability of violation is 30%, 6 knot winds from the north, 80F weather and beautiful.

[Chris Bergin]

[AbeJ]

CNN will be showing launch live.  Bet they wouldn't have if not for yesterday's events!

[Chris Bergin]

They called that "Death Watch Media" during the Shuttle days.

All quiet on the loop.

[Chris Bergin]

Solar Radiation acceptable!!! (running joke!).

[Prober]

Smile guys

[Chris Bergin]

Polling next.

[Orbiter]

Having some comm. issues, by the sound of it.

[Chris Bergin]

Polling to come out of the hold.

[Chris Bergin]

GO to proceed with terminal count.

[Orbiter]

S/C is configured for launch.

[Prober]

Final Poll
Go Atlas Go Centaur 

[Chris Bergin]

T-4 mins and COUNTING.

[Prober]

in the final count

[Orbiter]

T-3 minutes!

[Chris Bergin]

Tanks in press.

[Orbiter]

FTS on internal power.

[Chris Bergin]

T-2 mins.

[Chris Bergin]

FTS enabled.

[Orbiter]

Vehicle on internal power, launch sequencer started, Centaur LH2/LO2 secured, launch enabled.

[Chris Bergin]

T-60 seconds.

GO ATLAS. GO CENTAUR. GO GPS. Good luck!

[Orbiter]

GO Atlas, GO Centaur.

[Orbiter]

Ignition!

[Chris Bergin]

LAUNCH!!

[Orbiter]

Go Atlas V! Get up there!

[Chris Bergin]

[Orbiter]

Continuing right down the center of the range track, 0.7 miles in altitude.

[Chris Bergin]

[Orbiter]

Engines steady at 100%, everything good so far! Roll program completed!

[Chris Bergin]

Supersonic!

[Orbiter]

Mach 1! Speed of sound!

[Chris Bergin]

[Orbiter]

Passing through Max-Q, entering second throttle phase.

[Orbiter]

10 miles in altitude, 2000 mph. Vehicle stable.

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

[Orbiter]

95% thrust, RCS on Centaur activated.

[Orbiter]

34 miles in altitude, 55 miles downrage, 5,000 mph.

[Chris Bergin]

Coming up on staging. She's beasting it.

[Prober]

Launch   

[Orbiter]

Vehicle now weighs only 25% it did at launch. Entering boost phase chill-down on Centaur.

[Orbiter]

Throttling at 4.6G, MECO!

[Orbiter]

Staging! Centaur ignition!

[Chris Bergin]

Staging!

1-2 Sep. Centaur ingition.

[Orbiter]

Good fairing separation! RL-10 looks good!

[Chris Bergin]

Fairing jettison.

[Orbiter]

120 miles in altitude, 340 miles downrange.

[Prober]

Great RL-10 Pics 

[Chris Bergin]

Centaur's don't care about risks. They are too busy pushing stuff

[Targeteer]

Young AF Capt started as an Intel Officer (14N) who worked with B-52 for 3 years before changing career fields.  I know a little about supporting the B-52s with Intel

[Chris Bergin]

12 minutes in.

[Chris Bergin]

Now orbital!

[Prober]

Now where can we pick up one of these posters?

[Chris Bergin]

Two minutes to the end of the first burn.

[Orbiter]

MECO!

[Chris Bergin]

First burn complete!

Three hour coast phase.

[Targeteer]

cutoff orbit 95nm X 10950nm inclined 55 degrees

[Prober]

[Chris Bergin]

ULA webcast ending.

Great work so far!

[Satori]

I didn't catch the exact launch time in the format 1721:00.XXXUTC. Did the commentator mentioned it?

[Lars-J]

Good launch! 

I noticed something sticking out from the fairing - see picture below - Is this normal? If so I must have missed it before.

[Skyrocket]

Good launch! 

I noticed something sticking out from the fairing - see picture below - Is this normal? If so I must have missed it before.

It is standard: the Hydrogen vent fin to keep the evaporating Hydrogen away from the vehicle during ascent.

[John Santos]

I didn't catch the exact launch time in the format 1721:00.XXXUTC. Did the commentator mentioned it?

Shortly before the end of the T-4 hold, the commentator said the countdown would resume at 1717:00 and that the launch would occur at 1721:00, but I don't remember if they announced a fractional seconds part.  If they did, it was "000".  Hope this helps.

[Mapperuo]

[Chris Bergin]

United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 50th Atlas V Rocket

 

Fourth Global Positioning System Satellite Launched for the Air Force in 2014

 

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (Oct. 29, 2014) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the eighth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-8 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 1:21 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-41. This is ULA’s 12th launch in 2014, and the 89th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

“ULA is honored to work with this world-class U.S. government and contractor mission team, and we are very proud to have delivered  the GPS IIF-8 satellite to orbit today on the 50th Atlas V mission,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs. “Achieving 50 Atlas missions with 100 percent mission success is a tribute to this team’s sustained focus on one mission at a time and dedication to reliably meeting our customer’s launch needs.”

This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 401 configuration vehicle, which includes a 4-meter-diameter payload fairing. The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine, and the Centaur upper stage was powered by a single Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10A engine.

ULA's next launch is the Delta IV Heavy Exploration Flight Test (EFT-1) mission of NASA’s Orion spacecraft for Lockheed Martin scheduled for Dec. 4 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

GPS IIF-8 is the eighth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. The GPS IIF series provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users.

The EELV program was established by the United States Air Force to provide assured access to space for Department of Defense and other government payloads. The commercially developed EELV program supports the full range of government mission requirements, while delivering on schedule and providing significant cost savings over the heritage launch systems. 

With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 85 satellites to orbit that provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system.

[Chris Bergin]

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2014) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the eighth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-8 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 1:21 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-41. This is the 50th successful Atlas V mission and the fourth GPS mission for the U.S. Air Force this year.

Photo: United Launch Alliance

[BrightLight]

Well done ULA - 98% on payload 100% on 1st stage, the RD-180 has a impressive track record.

[catdlr]

Atlas V GPS IIF-8 Launch Highlights

by: UnitedLaunchAlliance

[jacqmans]

Newest Boeing GPS IIF Launched, Signals Indicate Satellite Working Properly

GPS constellation achieving greater accuracy as modernization continues


CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., Oct. 29, 2014 – The 8th Boeing [NYSE: BA] Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF has signaled controllers it is functioning properly after launching today, marking another step in the modernization of the satellite constellation that’s relied on by millions of people worldwide. 

This was the fourth, and final, GPS IIF launch scheduled for the U.S. Air Force this year. Liftoff from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, occurred at 1:21 p.m. Eastern time, with signal acquisition about three and a half hours later. The satellite is to enter full operational service during December.

“The schedule this year has put the GPS team through its paces, with launches occurring approximately every three months to continue GPS modernization,” said Dan Hart, vice president of Government Space Systems at Boeing Network & Space Systems. “We typically were processing two satellites concurrently at the Cape, requiring strong execution, an unrelenting focus on mission assurance and solid team work with the Air Force and United Launch Alliance.”

The next GPS IIF launch is expected during the first quarter of 2015. The Air Force ordered 12 in total, and four remaining satellites are stored and maintained at the Boeing Satellite Development Center in El Segundo, Calif. The GPS IIFs are continuing modernization with improved accuracy and anti-jamming as well as bringing into service the new civil L5 signal.

[Colodie]

I don't know if this is the right place to mention it, but there's a minor error on the launch story on the main page.

"IIR-4, which is also known as USA-150, will then be re-phased into a reserve slot in the A plane of the constellation." 

IIR-4 (SVN 51) is in the E plane.  It is not possible to move satellites between planes.  SVN-51 will be moved to a reserve slot in the E plane.

[JohnFornaro]

Just want to express my appreciation of the reliability argument from ULA.

[catdlr]

Atlas V GPS IIF-8 Launch Cam

Published on Nov 11, 2014
Here's another look at the Atlas V launch of the GPS IIF-8 satellite for the U.S. Air Force.

[Colodie]

SVN 69/PRN 3 was set healthy today

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?Do=gpsShowNanu&num=2014090

[jacqmans]

GPS Modernization Advances as 8th Boeing GPS IIF Becomes Active

GPS IIF team delivered four satellites in 2014, completing busy year
 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 18, 2014 – The eighth Boeing [NYSE: BA] Global Positioning System IIF satellite has completed on-orbit checkout and joined the active 31-satellite constellation, helping the U.S. Air Force continue modernizing the network that millions of people worldwide use.

The Air Force and Boeing have now put four GPS-IIF satellites into service this year, adding to the modernization effort with advanced atomic clocks, stronger anti-jamming, and a new third civil signal and longer design life.

“We made great progress this year in the quest to modernize GPS services,” said Dan Hart, vice president of Government Space Systems for Boeing Network & Space Systems. “With two-thirds of the 12 Boeing GPS IIFs now on orbit, the constellation is setting new records for accuracy and the Boeing GPS IIF’s are consistently among the best performing.”

Since becoming fully operational in 1995, GPS has evolved into a global digital resource. The Air Force modernization is a long-term initiative to further improve GPS signal accuracy, strength and quality while also adding new military and civil signals to benefit the ever-expanding user community.

Boeing has contributed to GPS since its inception, providing four generations of satellites over a four-decade period. The latest satellite, known as GPS Space Vehicle-69, was launched Oct. 29 and completed on-orbit checkout and validation Dec. 12.

“We believe that our track record on GPS speaks for itself, with more than 525 years of on-orbit operation,” Hart said. “We continue to support today’s GPS mission, and are looking forward to delivering the remaining four GPS IIF satellites into service. At the same time, Boeing continues to explore innovative new solutions that will further enhance and improve the next generation of GPS satellites.”

[anik]

SVN69 with PRN3 was launched into E1 slot. But in NAVCEN table, SVN69 is in B6 slot (if I remember correctly, this slot is for SVN49). I have asked NAVCEN about this recently, but their answer was not clear for me. In all, they said that it relates to feature of operation of satellites in constellation by USAF. Can someone explain to me why they show SVN69 with PRN3 in plane B, instead of plane E?

[Colodie]

The satellites are recorded by slot in a plane, and there are only six slots per plane.  This is from a identification/recording perspective though, as there is no physical reason why you can't put a seventh satellite in a plane.

That's the case with E plane.  There are seven satellites, but in the Ops Advisory, there are only options for E1 - E6.  So, since there's no room in the Ops Advisory for the E plane, it gets stuck where there is room.  Namely the B plane.

It's just a record keeping thing really. 

[anik]

Thank you for answer!