Author Topic: Atlas V 551 : USSF-51 : CCSFS SLC-41 : 30 July 2024 (10:45 UTC)  (Read 86889 times)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/carstenspete/status/1818337229015580938

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Today’s ULA Atlas V and USSF-51 mission.
📸by me for @SpaceflightNow

Offline jacqmans

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Northrop Grumman GEM 63 Solid Rocket Boosters Help Successfully Launch National Security Mission Aboard Atlas V Rocket

July 30, 2024

MAGNA, Utah – July 30, 2024 – Five Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) 63-inch-diameter Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM 63) solid rocket boosters helped successfully launch the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-51 mission for the USSF Space Systems Command aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket today.

Five GEM 63 boosters supporting the Atlas V represents the most powerful configuration of the rocket.
The boosters provided approximately 2 million pounds of thrust at launch, with each motor contributing about 375,000 pounds of additional thrust to help the national security payload reach the desired orbit.
In addition to the GEM boosters, Northrop Grumman provided the propellant tanks for the Centaur Upper Stage reaction control system as well as large composite structures for the ULA Atlas V launch vehicle including the heat shield, the Centaur interstage adapter and the boattail.

Expert:

Jim Kalberer, vice president, propulsion systems, Northrop Grumman: “Our GEM 63 rocket motors deliver reliable, proven propulsion for customers’ most meaningful missions. From missiles that protect the homeland to rocket motors that provide access to space, power exploration and promote discovery, we are providing advanced propulsion systems our customers need now.”

Details:

Northrop Grumman is investing in technology and scaling its facilities to deliver critical propulsion capabilities. The company is nearing completion on several new solid rocket motor manufacturing facilities that will support production of multiple propulsion products, including the GEM boosters. The newly constructed buildings will support nearly every phase of SRM manufacturing including propellant mixing and casting, composite case manufacturing, final assembly and integration of subcomponents, material storage and motor shipping. The expansion of the company's manufacturing facilities will augment existing capabilities and support increased production rates for several programs and customers including GEM boosters for ULA.

Northrop Grumman has supplied rocket propulsion to ULA and its heritage companies for various launch vehicles since 1964. The GEM family of strap-on motors started in the early 1980s with the GEM 40, which supported 132 Delta II launches with over a thousand motors. To date, 32 GEM 63 boosters have supported nine Atlas V launches and two GEM 63XL boosters supported the inaugural flight of ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.

https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-gem-63-solid-rocket-boosters-help-successfully-launch-national-security-mission-aboard-atlas-v-rocket
Jacques :-)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-100th-national-security-mission

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National Security,
United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 100th National Security Mission
July 30, 2024

Future 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. 

Photo caption:

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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.

Online catdlr

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It's Tony De La Rosa, ...I don't create this stuff, I just report it.

Online catdlr

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It's Tony De La Rosa, ...I don't create this stuff, I just report it.

Offline Targeteer

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Silent Barker part 2?

60322    USA 396   2024-134A   PAYLOAD   US   2024-07-30   
60323    USA 397   2024-134B   PAYLOAD   US   2024-07-30   
60324    USA 398   2024-134C   PAYLOAD   US   2024-07-30
60325    ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B   2024-134D   ROCKET BODY   US   2024-07-30
« Last Edit: 08/01/2024 11:45 am by Targeteer »
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Bean Kenobi

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Silent Barker part 2?

60322    USA 396   2024-134A   PAYLOAD   US   2024-07-30   AFETR                     TLE | OMM
60323    USA 397   2024-134B   PAYLOAD   US   2024-07-30   AFETR
60324    USA 398   2024-134C   PAYLOAD   US   2024-07-30   AFETR                     TLE | OMM
60325    ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B   2024-134D   ROCKET BODY   US   2024-07-30   AFETR   

Silent Barker program is from NRO, not USSF ;)

Offline Targeteer

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Silent Barker part 2?

60322    USA 396   2024-134A   PAYLOAD   US   2024-07-30
60323    USA 397   2024-134B   PAYLOAD   US   2024-07-30   
60324    USA 398   2024-134C   PAYLOAD   US   2024-07-30
60325    ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B   2024-134D   ROCKET BODY   US   2024-07-30   

Silent Barker program is from NRO, not USSF ;)

Valid point but the lines of separation between NRO and USSF are being blurred.  The fact that both launched from the identical launch vehicle makes my question reasonable.  If not SB, then maybe replacement GSSAP birds?
« Last Edit: 08/01/2024 11:44 am by Targeteer »
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline zubenelgenubi

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CBAS-3 + 2 rideshares?  But, there has been no public identification of the satellite or satellites.

See: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=56753.msg2523364#msg2523364
And:
Do 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.
« Last Edit: 08/01/2024 02:47 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1819048782215979503

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Thought you guys might enjoy a shot from my favorite secret viewing location. #AtlasV #USSF51

Online catdlr

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It's Tony De La Rosa, ...I don't create this stuff, I just report it.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1819336847996129390

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Here’s one from the Lightning Tower. #AtlasV #USSF51

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1819486727729492031

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And one more. From the flame trench. #AtlasV #USSF51

Offline Targeteer

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Centaur venting?
« Last Edit: 08/03/2024 03:56 pm by Targeteer »
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1820970984062538083

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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

Offline Targeteer

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Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Targeteer

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Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Online catdlr

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EDITED Launch Replay Summary: (Runtime 2:55)

4K Launch Replay: Atlas 5 launches its final national security payload

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Sep 3, 2024
The 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

« Last Edit: 09/03/2024 09:31 pm by catdlr »
It's Tony De La Rosa, ...I don't create this stuff, I just report it.

 

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