Picked up these badges for this launch from another website.Non morieris bello: “You are not going to war”. So not something related to direct surveillance? (SDS?)
It is likely a SDS-3 data relay satellite. Both GEO or Molniya orbits are possible.http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sds-3.htm
Well, it's launching from CCAFS so that suggests that L38 is going to GEO. Maybe either a communications relay or a COMINT platform?
Non morieris bello: “You are not going to war”.
Nunquam Ante Numquam Iterum, "Never Before, Never Again"--not a clue.
Quote from: Targeteer on 04/06/2012 04:25 amNunquam Ante Numquam Iterum, "Never Before, Never Again"--not a clue.It could be a one time satellite, not one in a series.
They have launched plenty of Molniya and other high-incl orbits from the Cape, including SDS and Lacrosse.
Quote from: Rocket Guy on 04/06/2012 03:36 pmThey have launched plenty of Molniya and other high-incl orbits from the Cape, including SDS and Lacrosse.Lacrosse in a Molniya orbit??
Wyvern, snakes and Gryphons?
From e-bay: Anubis
A quick question: For the first time in my life I might be able to see a launch live at the Cape. this one! I've wanted to do this since ah, 1962. Any updates on the launch? Is it still a go? Are the usual Shuttle viewing sites the best ones for a Pad 41 launch (assuming I have the right number)?
I know that launch times are not made public until more or less the morning of the launch, but does anyone have an idea when that is information is made public?
That's the window for RBSP in August. Don't go by Spaceport News.
From Saturday’s family day and my iPhone.
Or perhaps they may all be white from now on. I don't quite think the paint has anything to do with the satellite...
Quote from: fringe_dweller on 05/24/2012 11:28 pmFrom e-bay: AnubisSo, who wants to speculate that the bird is actually an ancient weapon to keep the Goa'uld away?
See to the launch reservation zone:http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120406-075.pdfhttp://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120406-076.pdfLow inclination.
That does leave the question of whether the change to a high-perigee GTO is simply taking advantage of the increased payload capacity that the EELVs offer, or whether L-27 and L-38 are fourth-generation satellites. It will be interesting to see if there is any change in the deployment orbits for HEO launches.
IMPORTANT NOTE!!For those looking to attend this launch, I just received this from KSC VC (which may or may not have been published before, I certainly didn't know about this):Introducing the KSC Up-Close: Launch Control Center TourAre you go for Launch Control? Visitors can now enter inside the Launch Control Center. For the first time in more than 30 years, step inside Firing Room 4, one of the LCC's four firing rooms and the one in which all 21 shuttle launches since 2006 were controlled. Available for a limited time. Make your reservation today.
Looks like the somewhat confusingly-named "long payload fairing" (which is actually the shortest of the three Atlas V 400-series fairings.
That fits with previous SDS launches. Would appreciate if someone could check my analysis though.
Looks like the somewhat confusingly-named "long payload fairing" (which is actually the shortest of the three Atlas V 400-series fairings. That fits with previous SDS launches. Would appreciate if someone could check my analysis though.
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.ROCKETS.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 181220Z TO 181413Z JUN,ALTERNATE 191220Z TO 191430Z AND201220Z TO 201413Z JUN IN AREAS BOUND BY:A. 28-36N 080-36W, 28-37N 080-33W,28-35N 080-26W, 28-31N 080-08W,28-29N 080-08W, 28-34N 080-35W.B. 24-33N 060-15W, 22-32N 054-34W,20-59N 055-03W, 23-22N 060-55W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 201513Z JUN.
Still can't get over that mission symbol.
Quote from: FinalFrontier on 06/16/2012 05:24 pmStill can't get over that mission symbol. Another rollout of another rocket with a payload that we can't see, or know anything about. This is what a substantial percentage of U.S. launches look like now. It could be something monumental inside that fairing, something spectacular and impressive and really, really expensive, or it could be mundane, or it could be another Glomar Explorer waste of money, but we'll never know. We should know, at least something, in my opinion. It's our money after all (speaking for U.S. citizens). And this is pretty much our space program now. - Ed Kyle
There's an interesting set of messages concerning this launch and the disposal of the upper stage on SeeSat-L starting at http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Jun-2012/0115.html
no different than the last 60 years.
Quote from: Jim on 06/17/2012 07:35 pmno different than the last 60 years.What is different now is that the U.S. civilian space program has largely disappeared, leaving mostly only the once-ignored black side. We used to have the civilian program to observe, and it used to be laid out in fine detail for observation. Now it is largely gone, and the bits that remain are themselves partially masked due to ITAR and proprietary considerations. That leaves us with NRO launches that disappear after first stage shutdown. I understand why, but unless one is on the program itself, it is painfully frustrating and even boring!I know more about Russian launches than U.S. launches, thanks to their coverage. As for excitement, China seems to be where the real money is being spent on new things of interest. Big new rocket engines are rumbling on test stands there. Shiny new rockets will soon follow. - Ed Kyle
back in the VIF
06/074 (A2548/12) - AIRSPACE DCC ER OPA6563 ATLAS REENTRY STATIONARY RESERVATION WITHIN AN AREA BNDD BY 1900N/17930E 1530N/16900W 0930N/17100W 1300N/17730E SFC-UNL. 20 JUN 21:16 2012 UNTIL 20 JUN 22:21 2012.CREATED: 17 JUN 19:46 2012
Another rollout of another rocket with a payload that we can't see, or know anything about. This is what a substantial percentage of U.S. launches look like now. It could be something monumental inside that fairing, something spectacular and impressive and really, really expensive, or it could be mundane, or it could be another Glomar Explorer waste of money, but we'll never know. We should know, at least something, in my opinion. It's our money after all (speaking for U.S. citizens). And this is pretty much our space program now.
What is different now is that the U.S. civilian space program has largely disappeared, leaving mostly only the once-ignored black side. We used to have the civilian program to observe, and it used to be laid out in fine detail for observation. Now it is largely gone, and the bits that remain are themselves partially masked due to ITAR and proprietary considerations. That leaves us with NRO launches that disappear after first stage shutdown. I understand why, but unless one is on the program itself, it is painfully frustrating and even boring!
Quote from: edkyle99 on 06/17/2012 11:49 pmWhat is different now is that the U.S. civilian space program has largely disappeared, leaving mostly only the once-ignored black side. We used to have the civilian program to observe, and it used to be laid out in fine detail for observation. Now it is largely gone, and the bits that remain are themselves partially masked due to ITAR and proprietary considerations. That leaves us with NRO launches that disappear after first stage shutdown. I understand why, but unless one is on the program itself, it is painfully frustrating and even boring!First off let me point out that outside of Saturn the so called military side has always exceeded the number and size than the civilian side. And they have a different job, and one that in many ways is incompatible with the the public outreach objectives of the civilian side. You wouldn't be asking to be fully aware of when, what, and where a Seal Team is doing would you? Just because the civilian side flopped on its face doesn't change the military's job.
Quote from: TrueGrit on 06/18/2012 10:34 pmQuote from: edkyle99 on 06/17/2012 11:49 pmWhat is different now is that the U.S. civilian space program has largely disappeared, leaving mostly only the once-ignored black side. We used to have the civilian program to observe, and it used to be laid out in fine detail for observation. Now it is largely gone, and the bits that remain are themselves partially masked due to ITAR and proprietary considerations. That leaves us with NRO launches that disappear after first stage shutdown. I understand why, but unless one is on the program itself, it is painfully frustrating and even boring!First off let me point out that outside of Saturn the so called military side has always exceeded the number and size than the civilian side. And they have a different job, and one that in many ways is incompatible with the the public outreach objectives of the civilian side. You wouldn't be asking to be fully aware of when, what, and where a Seal Team is doing would you? Just because the civilian side flopped on its face doesn't change the military's job.Sir,Respectfully, the civilian program has been starved to death since the days of Saturn, and if it got the same funding as the military side things would be much better than they are. BTW, last time I checked the Atlas V and Delta IV had a lot of civilian uses and development that assisted them to become the excellent platforms they are now. They did not magically become these great machines purely from MX-774 and Thor. NASA did have more than a little to do with their evolution. That's not to claim NASA is perfect, but you take your point way too far IMO.
Launch is set for 8:28 am EDT
Live broadcast - http://www.livestream.com/spaceflightnow .
William Graham's superb overview:http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/06/live-ula-atlas-v-50th-eelv-launch-nrol-38/
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 06/20/2012 10:04 amWilliam Graham's superb overview:http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/06/live-ula-atlas-v-50th-eelv-launch-nrol-38/"Seven first-generation SDS satellites were launched into Molniya orbits between June 1976 and February 1987. These spacecraft were constructed by Hughes, based around the HS-312 bus, and carried twelve UHF transponders. Why would they carry 12 UHF transponders?
Beginning flight control final preps
The first stage liquid oxygen tank is now 70% full. Chilled to Minus-298 degrees F, the liquid oxygen will be used with RP-1 kerosene by the RD-180 main engine on the first stage during the initial four-and-a-quarter minutes of flight today. The 25,050 gallons of RP-1 were loaded into the rocket after rollout.
L-48 Minutes: The Flight Termination System of the Atlas V Launcher is now undergoing a pre-flight test
T-15 minutes and counting: Pre-launch checks of the rocket's safety system have been completed.
L-36 Minutes: The first stage RD-180 Main Engine has now initiated its Fuel Fill Sequence
Entered a planned 25-minute hold at T-4 minutes
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasts off from Space Launch Complex-41 on June 20, 2012, at 8:28 a.m. EDT with a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. This is the 61st launch for ULA and marks the 50th successful launch of an Atlas V and Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle.Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance
That payload had to be one of the lightest for an Atlas V. Maybe could have even flown on a Delta II if they wanted to.
Question: do ULA have a 'generic payload' graphic that they use for NRO launches' simulated ascent graphics or is it possible that what we saw duirng simulated PLF sep was what the real NRO-38 spacecraft loooks like?
The view and sound was great from the NASA Causeway.
Quote from: Jim on 06/20/2012 03:57 pmThe view and sound was great from the NASA Causeway. Can ylou get me past the gate at the KSCVC?
Well Jim,I'd sure like to come down the next launch and compare notes to see how good your view was. Can ylou get me past the gate at the KSCVC? Let me know where we can meet to look at it, dinner on me at some local dive of your choice
I'm amazed that they are making launching satellites so routine that people pay little attention (just four pages!).
Judging from the sound delay, I'd say the observers were within 2.5 km of the pad.
Hmm. I counted ~7 seconds from what I'd expect is thrust ramp-up to the roar arriving. There is a fainter sound arriving about 3 secs earlier, perhaps that can account for the difference.Looks real close to the pad either way.
Would people only be allowed that close for no-SRB configurations?
When the photo zooms back, you can see an antenna to the left
Quote from: Jim on 06/29/2012 06:54 pmWhen the photo zooms back, you can see an antenna to the leftAaarg..., in both Jim's location and my location there is a bloody antenna! Following the unwritten NSF rules, Jim's must be the correct Antenna
I had not seen this video until today, but the above video is taken from this parking lot 1.8 miles back:
An update on NROL-38 http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Jul-2012/0228.html