ULA Rocketship sightings

[bajaleo]

Just came in.

[bajaleo]

Could this contain delta heavy en route to Vandenberg?

[Craigles]

Could this contain delta heavy en route to Vandenberg?

Or could this be the Atlas V 401 (en route to VSFB through the Panama Canal) for the JPSS-2 / LOFTID Demonstrator JPSS weather satellite and heat shield demonstrator?

[russianhalo117]

Could this contain delta heavy en route to Vandenberg?

Per AIS timestamps it left the VSFB port running loaded at 12 JUL 2022 02:34:00 UTC and arrived at Port of San Diego at 13 JUL 2022 02:24:56 UTC. Before that it was servicing at Cristobal Anchorage, Panama on the 25th of June loaded and Bound for VSFB.
It doesn't just carry rockets all of the time so it typically stops along the coast to pick up cargo to pay for its return. Sometimes It will transport equipment or vehicles from/near VSFB down to other installations such as San Diego.

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:401007/mmsi:338731000/imo:9198501/vessel:ROCKETSHIP

[zubenelgenubi]

Could this contain delta heavy en route to Vandenberg?

See the NROL-91 launch thread.  Entire launch vehicle delivered August 22, 2021.  Last Vandenberg Delta IV-Heavy launch.

[Mdmurphy12]

Yeah, this had to be the Atlas V and Centaur for JPSS-2. Interestingly, this will likely be Rocketship's last trip to Vandenberg for a little while, as the next shipment there should be a Vulcan (after pad is converted)!

[Vahe231991]

Yeah, this had to be the Atlas V and Centaur for JPSS-2. Interestingly, this will likely be Rocketship's last trip to Vandenberg for a little while, as the next shipment there should be a Vulcan (after pad is converted)!

The pad to be converted for the Vulcan rocket once the last Delta IV Heavy launch from Vandenberg SFB is conducted is the SLC-3E because the SLC-6 pad has been already earmarked for demolition.

[Newton_V]

Yeah, this had to be the Atlas V and Centaur for JPSS-2. Interestingly, this will likely be Rocketship's last trip to Vandenberg for a little while, as the next shipment there should be a Vulcan (after pad is converted)!

SLC-6 pad has been already earmarked for demolition.

Where did you hear that?

[Jim]

Yeah, this had to be the Atlas V and Centaur for JPSS-2. Interestingly, this will likely be Rocketship's last trip to Vandenberg for a little while, as the next shipment there should be a Vulcan (after pad is converted)!

The pad to be converted for the Vulcan rocket once the last Delta IV Heavy launch from Vandenberg SFB is conducted is the SLC-3E because the SLC-6 pad has been already earmarked for demolition.

No.   The Delta IV Heavy launch has no bearing on SLC-3 conversion.  JPSS launch will determine that.  Also, SLC-6 is has not been earmarked for demolition.

[russianhalo117]

Yeah, this had to be the Atlas V and Centaur for JPSS-2. Interestingly, this will likely be Rocketship's last trip to Vandenberg for a little while, as the next shipment there should be a Vulcan (after pad is converted)!

Confirmed via KSC and ULA. Expect images approved for public release to start appearing from the respective entities.

Not the final use at VSFB before Vulcan just final planned use carrying EELV/NSSL1 (NSSL Phase 1) launchers.

[ClayJar]

I couldn't find a generic ULA Rocketship thread for reporting sightings and posting pics, so here's one, I suppose. Maybe we'll even use it? Anyway.

I was out on a little "It's finally not raining!" after work bike ride (44 miles worth after weeks of rain every... single... day here in Baton Rouge, LA). As I was heading downstream from LSU on the levee path, I noticed an oddly-shaped ship (compared to the usual barges, tankers, and bulk haulers). As I got closer, I suddenly noticed the ULA logo on the side.

ULA Rocketship, ahoy!

I took some photos on the way downstream on the levee path, and then some more about 20 bike-miles later.