Today’s ULA Atlas V and USSF-51 mission.📸by me for @SpaceflightNow
National Security,United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 100th National Security MissionJuly 30, 2024Future of ULA national security support advances to Vulcan rocket Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., (July 30, 2024) – United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched the company’s 100th national security mission to orbit with the launch of an Atlas V rocket on July 30 at 6:45 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket, carrying the USSF-51 mission for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC), marks a key milestone in a longstanding legacy of dedication to national security. ULA has launched 100 of the 119 critical U.S. Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) missions flown since ULA was formed in December 2006. “It’s incredibly gratifying to reflect on the steadfast partnership we’ve been honored to share with the U.S. Space Force since the founding of ULA,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue building on this trusted partnership and take very seriously the responsibility of promptly launching essential National Security Space satellite assets to orbit amidst the heightened threat environment our nation is facing in space.” USSF-51 marks the final national security mission launched aboard the Atlas V rocket as ULA prepares to launch future National Security Space (NSS) missions on the next generation Vulcan rocket. Vulcan’s inaugural launch this past January marked the beginning of a new era of space capabilities by providing higher performance and greater affordability through the world’s only high energy architecture rocket designed to deliver any payload, at any time, to any orbit. “The Atlas family of rockets has played a pivotal role in the advancement of national security and space superiority since the 1950s,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “Although today marks the final liftoff of a National Security Space mission aboard an Atlas rocket, we look forward to extending a legacy of outstanding teamwork and collaboration with the U.S. Space Force as we launch future missions for our national security partners aboard the Vulcan rocket.” ULA’s next launch is the second certification flight (Cert-2) of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Vulcan will also launch USSF-106 and USSF-87, two critical NSS missions, to orbit later this year.
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the USSF-51 mission for the United State Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at 6:45 a.m. EDT on July 30, 2024, marking ULA’s 100th national security launch.
Silent Barker part 2?60322 USA 396 2024-134A PAYLOAD US 2024-07-30 AFETR TLE | OMM60323 USA 397 2024-134B PAYLOAD US 2024-07-30 AFETR60324 USA 398 2024-134C PAYLOAD US 2024-07-30 AFETR TLE | OMM60325 ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B 2024-134D ROCKET BODY US 2024-07-30 AFETR
Quote from: Targeteer on 07/31/2024 09:43 pmSilent Barker part 2?60322 USA 396 2024-134A PAYLOAD US 2024-07-3060323 USA 397 2024-134B PAYLOAD US 2024-07-30 60324 USA 398 2024-134C PAYLOAD US 2024-07-3060325 ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B 2024-134D ROCKET BODY US 2024-07-30 Silent Barker program is from NRO, not USSF
Silent Barker part 2?60322 USA 396 2024-134A PAYLOAD US 2024-07-3060323 USA 397 2024-134B PAYLOAD US 2024-07-30 60324 USA 398 2024-134C PAYLOAD US 2024-07-3060325 ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B 2024-134D ROCKET BODY US 2024-07-30
Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 07/21/2024 08:45 pmDo we have any information regarding the identity/name of the payload?Not yet. I suspect, it might be the third CBAS satellite + some secondary payloads (the first one went also up on an Atlas-V(551)) - but this is pure speculation. If it is a CBAS, it might be mentioned before launch as it was on the first two CBAS launches.
Do we have any information regarding the identity/name of the payload?
Thought you guys might enjoy a shot from my favorite secret viewing location. #AtlasV #USSF51
Here’s one from the Lightning Tower. #AtlasV #USSF51
And one more. From the flame trench. #AtlasV #USSF51
Another Bullseye and successful mission! Sorry we took a few days. New process: we do this in parallel with going through flight observations, in parallel with prep’ing for the next launch (CERT-2). Matching tempo through the rest of this year and up again next year
Sep 3, 2024The efforts of the entire Spaceflight Now videography team comes together for this 4K replay of the launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket on its final national security mission for the Pentagon. It lifted off on the classified USSF-51 mission on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 6:45 a.m. EDT (1045 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.The rocket was in its 551 configuration, equipped with five strap-on solid rocket motors, this is the most powerful version of the Atlas 5. It was the rocket's 100th national security mission for the U.S. military. the Atlas 5 is being replaced by ULA's new Vulcan launcher. Future Atlas 5 missions will carry commercial payloads.Videographers:• Adam Bernstein• Chuck & Jen Briggs• Michael Cain• Pete Carstens