Author Topic: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - November 13, 2020 (22:32 UTC)  (Read 77429 times)

Offline zubenelgenubi

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NROL-101

Cross-post:
Has SFN confused NROL-101 with STP-3 as the first Atlas V launch using the GEM-63 SRMs? (launch update of Oct. 4)
No.

Followed by Solid rocket motor test-fired for Atlas 5 debut next year, dated October 20, 2019:
Quote
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.
« Last Edit: 11/16/2020 12:05 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline Newton_V

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Re: Atlas V 551 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - August 2020
« Reply #1 on: 10/23/2019 12:47 am »
77-ft and Atlas V, but close enough...

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - September 2020
« Reply #2 on: 01/23/2020 03:55 am »
From the January 21 update of the SFN Launch Schedule: launch in September 2020.  Launch configuration changed from 551 to 531.
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - September 2020
« Reply #3 on: 05/20/2020 01:22 am »
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?
« Last Edit: 05/20/2020 01:22 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Online Josh_from_Canada

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - September 2020
« Reply #4 on: 05/20/2020 04:08 am »
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?

It might be related to NROL-67 launched on a Atlas-V 541 on 10/04/2014

This appears to be the only satellite like this launched thus far

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33970.msg1158247#msg1158247

https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sharp.htm
Launches Seen: Atlas V OA-7, Falcon 9 Starlink 6-4, Falcon 9 CRS-28,

Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - September 2020
« Reply #5 on: 05/23/2020 12:14 am »
Tail #. AV-090

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - September 2020
« Reply #6 on: 05/29/2020 01:57 am »
See this thread.

From patch art for this flight.

"Goodness persists"--rendered in JRR Tolkien's Elvish tengwar.
« Last Edit: 05/29/2020 02:01 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline Phillipsturtles

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - September 2020
« Reply #7 on: 07/07/2020 06:57 pm »
CCB, Centaur upper stage, and what looks to be the fairings have arrivied for NROL-101:
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1280496184092549120

Also NROL-101 will no longer debut the GEM63 SRB's as previously thought:
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1280522641007394816

EDIT
Tory correcting himself, NROL-101 will still debut the GEM63's
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1280584574465163264
[zubenelgenubi: Concatenated two closely related posts by the same poster.]
« Last Edit: 07/07/2020 09:59 pm by zubenelgenubi »

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - September 2020
« Reply #8 on: 07/22/2020 04:35 pm »
Cross-post:
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1285552662457585665

Quote
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
See also Northrop Grumman Delivers Three GEM 63 Rocket Motors for United Launch Alliance thread.
« Last Edit: 09/13/2020 06:52 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #9 on: 08/26/2020 04:58 am »
Cross-post:
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
Quote
October • Atlas 5 • NROL-101
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #10 on: 09/11/2020 02:43 pm »
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1304412388993761281

Quote
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.

https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1304428712981651456

Quote
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.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #11 on: 09/11/2020 04:49 pm »
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1304440113150283778

Quote
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.

https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1304457855865585665

Quote
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.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #12 on: 09/11/2020 05:09 pm »
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1304465666037157888

Quote
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.

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #13 on: 09/11/2020 07:26 pm »
Given the nature of the payload, is it likely there will be a Wet Dress Rehearsal?
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Offline Yeknom-Ecaps

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #14 on: 09/13/2020 02:57 am »
See this thread.

From patch art for this flight.

"Goodness persists"--rendered in JRR Tolkien's Elvish tengwar.

What does full patch/logo look like?

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #15 on: 09/18/2020 07:16 pm »
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1307031599159050241

Quote
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.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #16 on: 09/21/2020 01:12 pm »
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1308028614227755010

Quote
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…

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #17 on: 09/28/2020 05:01 am »
See this thread.
From patch art for this flight.
"Goodness persists"--rendered in JRR Tolkien's Elvish tengwar.
What does full patch/logo look like?
Found this on WP.
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Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #18 on: 09/28/2020 01:26 pm »
Is that Elvish script on the bottom of the patch? Can anyone translate? :-)
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Offline gongora

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Re: Atlas V 531 - NROL-101 - CC SLC-41 - October 2020
« Reply #19 on: 09/28/2020 02:42 pm »
Is that Elvish script on the bottom of the patch? Can anyone translate? :-)

see https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50997.0

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