Notice the fire burned near TP-01, nowhere near SLC 6. Test Pad 01 was used for a few Peacekeeper and Midgetman tests during the 1980s and early 1990s. A support building is east of the pad. I've heard some say that it and other nearby, former "Rail Garrison" sites are still in use for Minotaur and/or missile defense support. Live solid motors on site could explain the full-on air tanker response. - Ed Kyle
With NROL-47 now scheduled for January, this ends the year of 2017 with only 8 launches. Six Atlas Vs, one Delta IV, and one Delta II.This is one of the slowest years for ULA, as I see it.
Google search for "NROL-47" returns this link as the first result:http://www.ulalaunch.com/file-library.aspxAnd it lists launch date as January 18, 2018. Maybe just a mistake.
Are there any articles or blog posts that analyze the Topaz constellation orbits?
The orbits are all approximately 1100 km x 1105 km x 123 deg. However, the right ascension at ascending node (RAAN) elements are separated by approximately 90 degrees.
Will an intended RAAN be calculable once the approximate launch time is released?
Calendars ready? ULA’s #DeltaIV is slated to launch the #NROL47 mission for @NatRecOfc at 1 p.m. PST on Jan. 10; live broadcast at 12:40 p.m. PST. http://bit.ly/div_nrol47
Certainly. Already with the remark that the launch will be daytime in the PST timezone, is an important clue, as only the orbit of the first FIA Radar will pass the launch site with the correct launch azimuth and orbital direction. If we assume that NROL-47 is set to replace FIA Radar 1 [37162/10046A], then it's orbital plane will pass the launch site around 21:09 UT on January 10, 2018. Once the launch time is published we will know if this assumption is correct.