The upcoming third and final burn by the Centaur upper stage will employ the Minimum Residual Shutdown (MRS) sequencing, meaning the RL10 engine will consume every bit of cryogenic propellant to impart the maximum velocity available. This will result in minimizing the propellant ViaSat-3 F2 will need to reach its final orbit. Learn more: http://bit.ly/av_viasat
Ignition of Centaur for the third time tonight! The upper stage is imparting the final boost to place the heavy ViaSat-3 F2 satellite into the best possible geosynchronous transfer orbit.
Main engine cutoff 3, or MECO 3, is confirmed for the Centaur upper stage. The Atlas V rocket has completed powered flight for this commercial satellite deployment mission. Standing by for separation of the payload to complete the launch.
Separation confirmed! The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket's Centaur upper stage has deployed the powerhouse ViaSat-3 Flight 2 spacecraft for broadband connectivity to users on land, at sea or in the air, completing today's launch for operator @viasat. http://bit.ly/av_viasat
ULA@ulalaunchLiftoff! Atlas V ViaSat-3 F2 Takes Flight
ULA@ulalaunchICYMI - Precise Atlas V launch of the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite to GTO@viasat
QuoteThe upcoming third and final burn by the Centaur upper stage will employ the Minimum Residual Shutdown (MRS) sequencing, meaning the RL10 engine will consume every bit of cryogenic propellant to impart the maximum velocity available. This will result in minimizing the propellant ViaSat-3 F2 will need to reach its final orbit.
The upcoming third and final burn by the Centaur upper stage will employ the Minimum Residual Shutdown (MRS) sequencing, meaning the RL10 engine will consume every bit of cryogenic propellant to impart the maximum velocity available. This will result in minimizing the propellant ViaSat-3 F2 will need to reach its final orbit.
Quote from: Robert_the_Doll on 11/14/2025 06:15 amQuoteThe upcoming third and final burn by the Centaur upper stage will employ the Minimum Residual Shutdown (MRS) sequencing, meaning the RL10 engine will consume every bit of cryogenic propellant to impart the maximum velocity available. This will result in minimizing the propellant ViaSat-3 F2 will need to reach its final orbit. Anyone know the final orbital parameters after separation? ULA's pre-launch guess (I believe) occurs here. But since it was MRS shutdown the real results could presumably vary.
Quote from: LouScheffer on 11/15/2025 11:16 pmQuote from: Robert_the_Doll on 11/14/2025 06:15 amQuoteThe upcoming third and final burn by the Centaur upper stage will employ the Minimum Residual Shutdown (MRS) sequencing, meaning the RL10 engine will consume every bit of cryogenic propellant to impart the maximum velocity available. This will result in minimizing the propellant ViaSat-3 F2 will need to reach its final orbit. Anyone know the final orbital parameters after separation? ULA's pre-launch guess (I believe) occurs here. But since it was MRS shutdown the real results could presumably vary....results from Tracking...
RocketCam! Check out the view on-board the Atlas V rocket as it lifts off to deliver @viasat into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
- Tory Bruno graphic -
Quote from: catdlr on 11/25/2025 06:47 pm - Tory Bruno graphic -The rocket's performance was fine, but the graphic is useless. Compared to the pre-launch predictions: Semi-major axis predicted was 24,022 km, but they got 24,333 km. This is an error of 1.3%, but in the good direction. Likewise, delta-V to GSO was predicted as 1054 m/s, but they got 1028 m/s. That's a 2.5% error, but in the good direction. Inclination was predicted as 5.99 degrees, got 6.00 degrees. Basically right on.So what do those percent circles mean on the graph? Maybe 1% for inclination? But then the other two make no sense, unless they count "greater than requirements" as 0 error. If so, what's the point of the circles? To be used only if they fell short? This is a completely useless infographic.
