Atlas V 551 : USSF-51 : CCSFS SLC-41 : 30 July 2024 (10:45 UTC)

[FutureSpaceTourist]

These seem to be too early for Dreamchaser flight in April?

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1745121380578844943

Another delivery is inbound to Cape. ULA is transporting two fairing halves from the Astrotech facility in Titusville. It's been quite a day to be up close and personal with space hardware!

📷 @NASASpaceflight

[GewoonLukas_]

These seem to be too early for Dreamchaser flight in April?

Another delivery is inbound to Cape. ULA is transporting two fairing halves from the Astrotech facility in Titusville. It's been quite a day to be up close and personal with space hardware!

📷 @NASASpaceflight

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1745196075202265446

@torybruno Atlas or Vulcan?

No spoilers

[AndrewM]

Belated update; from November 2?
NextSpaceflight:
Launch NET March 2024
= NET Q1 2024?

After January 8 Peregrine launch on VC001.
Before Dream Chaser's first launch NET April?

SpaceNews did have it as NET March 2024 as well

ULA’s first Phase 2 launch will be USSF-51 on an Atlas 5 rocket, a mission projected for no earlier than March 2024.

https://spacenews.com/space-force-assigns-21-national-security-missions-to-ula-and-spacex/
[Oct 31]

[GewoonLukas_]

5 SLS mission patch:

[Zed_Noir]

With the final Delta IV Heavy launch (NROL-70) delay to at least March 14th. Expected the USSF-51 launch for NET early April.

NextSpaceflight (Updated February 9th)
Launch NET March 14th, 2024
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/142

[spacebleachers]

With the final Delta IV Heavy launch (NROL-70) delay to at least March 14th. Expected the USSF-51 launch for NET early April.

NextSpaceflight (Updated February 9th)
Launch NET March 14th, 2024
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/142

Why? They are two different rockets on two different pads. Even if the same launch team is used, they won’t have far to travel.

[Zed_Noir]

With the final Delta IV Heavy launch (NROL-70) delay to at least March 14th. Expected the USSF-51 launch for NET early April.

NextSpaceflight (Updated February 9th)
Launch NET March 14th, 2024
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/142

Why? They are two different rockets on two different pads. Even if the same launch team is used, they won’t have far to travel.

ULA supposedly could only conduct one launch campaign at a time with extra people augmenting the launch team cadre from elsewhere in ULA for every launch. People could not be at 2 places at the same time and there is only one launch control team, AIUI.

Plus the spooks will likely insist on ULA's undivided attention for the final Delta IV Heavy launch with a very pricey "radio astronomy" observatory satellite.

After the Delta IV Heavy retirement.There have to be a drastic headcount increase at ULA, for it to be able to conduct 2 launch campaigns more or less simultaneously. Along with new vertical integration facilities for the East coast and West coast pads.

[GewoonLukas_]

ULA has started stacking the Atlas V for the Crewed Flight Test, meaning that that will be their next Atlas V launch. This makes USSF-51 NET May at the earliest:

Today we begin stacking the 100th #AtlasV, but this flight will be unlike any of the previous. This rocket will launch @NASA @Commercial_Crew astronauts Butch Wilmore & Suni Williams on the Crew Flight Test (#CFT) for @BoeingSpace’s #Starliner to the @Space_Station!

[DanClemmensen]

After the Delta IV Heavy retirement.There have to be a drastic headcount increase at ULA, for it to be able to conduct 2 launch campaigns more or less simultaneously. Along with new vertical integration facilities for the East coast and West coast pads.

I thought Vulcan Centaur would use the same pads as Atlas V, Not Delta IV/Delta IV Heavy.  CCSFS SLC-41 is shared now. While there is a lot of shared infrastructure, some stuff is unique to Atlas V or Vulcan Centaur. I thought the Vertical integration stuff was mostly shared there?

VSFB SLC-3E is being converted now. last Atlas V was in 2022, and first Vulcan will be in 2025. I think the Atlas V vertical integration stuff will be converted.

[Jim]

I thought Vulcan Centaur would use the same pads as Atlas V, Not Delta IV/Delta IV Heavy.  CCSFS SLC-41 is shared now. While there is a lot of shared infrastructure, some stuff is unique to Atlas V or Vulcan Centaur. I thought the Vertical integration stuff was mostly shared there?

None shared.  Each pad has its own vertical tower.

[Jim]

ULA supposedly could only conduct one launch campaign at a time with extra people augmenting the launch team cadre from elsewhere in ULA for every launch. People could not be at 2 places at the same time and there is only one launch control team, AIUI.

SLC-37 is mostly electrical propellant ops now.  SLC-41 mostly mechanical.

[Zed_Noir]

<snip>
.....CCSFS SLC-41 is shared now. While there is a lot of shared infrastructure, some stuff is unique to Atlas V or Vulcan Centaur. I thought the Vertical integration stuff was mostly shared there?
<snip>

Supposedly ULA is considering an addition vertical integration facility and another mobile launch platform for Vulcan Centaur to conduct more or less simultaneous campaigns on the East coast, due to Amazon largesse.

With 2 VIF and 2 MLP, ULA could launch from pad SLC-41 about every 2 weeks. Provided they have enough people to work the campaigns.

Think the ULA West coast SLC-3E pad will only have a cadre launch crew if there are only LSP and NSSL launches from that pad.

[Jim]

Supposedly ULA is considering an addition vertical integration facility

Already in place.  it is the SMARF.  It was partially outfitted during and after MLP 2 build.

[zubenelgenubi]

ULA has started stacking the Atlas V for the Crewed Flight Test, meaning that that will be their next Atlas V launch. This makes USSF-51 NET May at the earliest:

Today we begin stacking the 100th #AtlasV, but this flight will be unlike any of the previous. This rocket will launch @NASA @Commercial_Crew astronauts Butch Wilmore & Suni Williams on the Crew Flight Test (#CFT) for @BoeingSpace’s #Starliner to the @Space_Station!

USSF-51 launch now NET June?  Or, can it be stacked on the second MLP now and launched before CFT?

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-to-host-boeing-crew-flight-test-preview-news-conferences/

NASA to Host Boeing Crew Flight Test Preview, News Conferences

MAR 08, 2024
MEDIA ADVISORY
M24-034
NASA Headquarters
Johnson Space Center
<snip>
The flight test, currently scheduled to launch early May due to space station scheduling, will transport Wilmore and Williams to the orbiting laboratory for a planned stay of up to two weeks. A United Launch Alliance rocket and the Boeing Starliner spacecraft will launch from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
<snip>

Edit/add:

NextSpaceflight; updated March 5:

USSF-51
Launch Time
NET June 2024

Launch vehicle was switched from Vulcan Centaur to Atlas V at ULA’s request.

= (generally) NET Q2 in NextSF jargon.

[Zed_Noir]

<snip>
USSF-51 launch now NET June?  Or, can it be stacked on the second MLP now and launched before CFT?
<snip>

AFAIK each of the mobile launch platforms at complex SLC-41 is currently specified to a launcher type, one for the Atlas V and one for the Vulcan. Welcome correction if the MLPs could hosted both launchers.

[zubenelgenubi]

SLC-41:
One Atlas V MLP
One Vulcan VLP

Boeing CFT      Atlas V N22    early May
USSF-51            Atlas V 551    NET June?
Dream Chaser  Vulcan VC4L  NET June?

Seeking correction or clarification

[zubenelgenubi]

SLC-41:
One Atlas V MLP
One Vulcan VLP

Boeing CFT      Atlas V N22     NET May 7 UTC 1
USSF-51            Atlas V 551     NET June
Dream Chaser  Vulcan VC4L  summer or NET September

Seeking correction or clarification

Edited early April

[zubenelgenubi]

SLC-41:
One Atlas V MLP
One Vulcan VLP

Boeing CFT      Atlas V N22     May 7 UTC
Kuiper Flight 1  Atlas V 551     NLT June
USSF-51            Atlas V 551     NET June
Dream Chaser  Vulcan VC4L  NET September

Seeking correction or clarification

[Newton_V]

I'd bump 51 up a spot.

[zubenelgenubi]

I'd bump 51 up a spot.

SLC-41:
One Atlas V MLP
One Vulcan VLP

Boeing CFT      Atlas V N22     May 7 UTC
USSF-51            Atlas V 551     NET June
Kuiper Flight 1  Atlas V 551     NLT June
Dream Chaser  Vulcan VC4L  NET September

Seeking correction or clarification