Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 10/04/2019 09:53 pmHas SFN confused NROL-101 with STP-3 as the first Atlas V launch using the GEM-63 SRMs? (launch update of Oct. 4)No.
Has SFN confused NROL-101 with STP-3 as the first Atlas V launch using the GEM-63 SRMs? (launch update of Oct. 4)
A spokesperson with the U.S. Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center, which procures launch services for U.S. military and intelligence-gathering satellites, said the the first use of the GEM 63 solid rocket booster on an Atlas 5 mission is scheduled for September 2020.The mission, codenamed NROL-101, will launch a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, which owns the government’s top secret spy satellites, the Air Force spokesperson confirmed to Spaceflight Now. Five GEM 63 boosters will help the Atlas 5’s main engine propel the NROL-101 payload into space, an Atlas 5 configuration with a 5-meter (17-foot) fairing known as the Atlas 5-551.
I have seen very little speculation about the mission of NROL-101.Earlier, when this flight was a 551, I remember a brief mention that this must be a heavy satellite OR a satellite bound for a "high energy" orbit.That's all as of now?
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1285552662457585665QuoteThe first GEM63 solid rocket boosters (SRB) are in the house! These powerful SRBs will first fly on #AtlasV and then will be upgraded for #VulcanCentaur.Read more in our blog: https://www.ulalaunch.com/explore/blog-detail/blog/2020/07/21/new-solid-motors-coming-to-atlas-in-evolution-to-vulcan-centaur
The first GEM63 solid rocket boosters (SRB) are in the house! These powerful SRBs will first fly on #AtlasV and then will be upgraded for #VulcanCentaur.Read more in our blog: https://www.ulalaunch.com/explore/blog-detail/blog/2020/07/21/new-solid-motors-coming-to-atlas-in-evolution-to-vulcan-centaur
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/QuoteOctober • Atlas 5 • NROL-101Launch time: TBDLaunch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
October • Atlas 5 • NROL-101Launch time: TBDLaunch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Welcome to Cape Canaveral's Vertical Integration Facility and the start of another #AtlasV launch campaign! You can follow along today as we take the first step to prepare for the #NROL101 mission by lifting the first stage aboard the Mobile Launch Platform.
Today's activities at Cape Canaveral are known collectively as the Launch Vehicle on Stand (LVOS) milestone for #NROL101. Technicians have released the #AtlasV first stage from the transportation equipment in preparation for rotating the 107-foot-long booster upright.
ULA is using an #AtlasV 531 rocket that generates nearly two million pounds of thrust to perform this #NROL101 launch for @NatReconOfc. The two-stage rocket will include a 5-meter diameter payload fairing, 3 solid-fuel boosters and 1 engine on our high-performance Centaur.
The #NROL101 launch will be our 30th mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Nearly two-thirds of our missions to date have launched U.S. national security payloads for @SpaceForceDoD and @NatReconOfc.
In the coming days, three @northropgrumman #GEM63 solid rocket boosters and the Centaur upper stage will be hoisted into the Vertical Integration Facility for continued #AtlasV stacking operations. Launch of #NROL101 is planned for later this year.
See this thread.From patch art for this flight."Goodness persists"--rendered in JRR Tolkien's Elvish tengwar.
The #GEM63s are mated to #AtlasV that will launch #NROL101 later this year. This will be the debut launch for the solid rocket boosters! GEM 63s will be used on Atlas V launches to build flight experience in preparation for the GEM 63XLs on #VulcanCentaur's first flight in 2021.
An #AtlasV 531 rocket, the first to sport #GEM63 solid rocket boosters, is now stacked at Cape Canaveral to launch the #NROL101 mission for @NatReconOfc later this year.Learn more about the recent activities at the Vertical Integration Facility: ulalaunch.com/explore/blog-d…
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 05/29/2020 01:57 amSee this thread.From patch art for this flight."Goodness persists"--rendered in JRR Tolkien's Elvish tengwar.What does full patch/logo look like?
Is that Elvish script on the bottom of the patch? Can anyone translate? :-)