Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 5, 2011  (Read 295264 times)

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #20 on: 03/03/2011 06:14 pm »
That *is* pretty fast (for vehicle rollout standards).

Offline edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #21 on: 03/03/2011 06:17 pm »
Now slowly pulling into the launch position.  This part takes awhile.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline Rocket Guy

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #22 on: 03/03/2011 06:24 pm »

I'm not sure what to make of these.  I don't see a clear indication of a northeast azimuth like that flown during the first X-37B launch.

 - Ed Kyle

The first one went southeast at launch as well then changed plane.

Offline edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #23 on: 03/03/2011 06:27 pm »
There, or nearly so.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #24 on: 03/03/2011 06:32 pm »

I'm not sure what to make of these.  I don't see a clear indication of a northeast azimuth like that flown during the first X-37B launch.

 - Ed Kyle

The first one went southeast at launch as well then changed plane.

Ahhhh.  O.K.  Centaur, and even the Atlas stage, can probably dogleg a lot with this payload. 

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 03/03/2011 06:34 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #25 on: 03/03/2011 06:47 pm »
Here's a closeup of, I think, the LOX line and umbilical.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline Chris Bergin

Heh, nice thread start Hunt101. I know I was ;)

And thanks to Ed for rollout - nice coverage!

   Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. (March, 3, 2011) -  A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Air Force’s Second Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) rolls out to its Space Launch Complex-41 launch pad arriving at 2:30 p.m. EST today.  The launch of the OTV-2 mission is set for Friday with the launch period opening at 3:39 p.m. EST.  The OTV-2, also known as the X-37B, supports space experimentation, risk reduction, and concept of operations development for long duration and reusable space vehicle technologies. Photos by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.



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Offline edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #27 on: 03/03/2011 08:47 pm »
Up at LC 39, we will, or should, know when the final Shuttle is being launched (hopefully the STS-135 plans will be known by the time STS-134 flies).  But at SLC 41 we are left to wonder if X-37B OTV-2 is merely the second flight of a program that extends into the future - or the last of its type ever. 

 - Ed Kyle

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #28 on: 03/03/2011 08:53 pm »
But at SLC 41 we are left to wonder if X-37B OTV-2 is merely the second flight of a program that extends into the future - or the last of its type ever. 

 - Ed Kyle

There was mention in one of spaceflightnow articles about them looking to re-fly vehicle one at some point in the future.
« Last Edit: 03/03/2011 08:57 pm by kevin-rf »
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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #29 on: 03/03/2011 09:18 pm »
Here's a closeup of, I think, the LOX line and umbilical.

Looks like a pogo suppressor inside the tan foam.  SRB aft attach fittings on the main core (truly a common core).
If I like something on NSF, it's probably because I know it to be accurate.  Every once in a while, it's just something I agree with.  Facts generally receive the former.

Offline Lukeyson

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #30 on: 03/04/2011 02:02 am »
I was on the Cape tour today. I was certainly not as close as all these excellent pictures, but we could clearly see it on the pad.

In fact from the Causeway you could see all launchers out there at once - Atlas and OTV-2, Falcon-9 and COTS-2 and the Delta at LC-37 (Got a great view of that from LC-34 on the tour).

I'm set to watch from the Saturn V centre if OTV-2 goes up before 5pm. Otherwise I can run out to Playalinda if needed. I just hope we can get some indication of launch time in the morning as mentioned,


Lukeyson

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #31 on: 03/04/2011 02:03 am »
Falcon-9 and COTS-2

That was just the erector and not the vehicle

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #32 on: 03/04/2011 03:50 am »
Falcon-9 and COTS-2

That was just the erector and not the vehicle

Gotcha. Thanks.

I zoomed in a few times as best I could and it did look a bit funny. That explains it.


Luke

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Re: Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #33 on: 03/04/2011 12:42 pm »
March 4 (Friday)

 

0830: Remote camera photographers meet at Space X parking lot for escort to SLC-41 to set cameras

 

1430:  45 SW/PA meets unbadged media at SR 3 Pass and ID station across from Air Liquide Plant for escort to KSC press site to view launch

 

Live Broadcast Coverage:  The OTV-2 launch will be carried live beginning 20 minutes prior to T-0. The broadcast will conclude 20 minutes after launch.

 

Webcast: A simulcast of the launch can be viewed at: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml

 

Satellite Coordinates:

 

ALL TIMES EASTERN STANDARD TIME

 

MARCH 4, 2011

 

BEGIN TRANSMISSION (BARS AND TONE) – 2:45 P.M.

BROADCAST START – 3:30 P.M.

END TRANSMISSION – 6:00 P.M.

 

SATELLITE – AMC 6

TRANSPONDER – 5C

BAND – C-BAND ANALOG

ORBITAL POSITION – 72 DEGREES W

CARRIER – SES AMERICOM

BANDWIDTH – 36 MHz

UPLINK FREQ – 6025 MHz (Horizontal)

DOWNLINK FREQ – 3800 MHz (Vertical)

 

Weather Forecast

 

Attached is the AV-026 OTV-2 Forecast.  There is no significant change in

the forecast with gusty Ground Winds and Cumulus Clouds the primary

concerns.

 

Overall probability of violating weather constraints:  70%

Primary concern(s):  Ground Winds, Cumulus Clouds

 

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay:  60%

 

Primary concern(s):  Ground Winds, Cumulus Clouds

 

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 48 hour delay:  70%

 

Primary concern(s):  Cumulus Clouds, Disturbed Weather, Thick Clouds

 

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 72 hour delay:  20%

 

Primary concern(s):  Thick Clouds

 

Summary:

 

High pressure centered well to the North with tight pressure gradient.  Low

level moisture coupled with strengthening Easterly winds introduces a

morning isolated coastal shower threat each day through Saturday.  For MLP

roll, winds are expected from the East gusting in the mid to upper 20s (230

feet).  On launch day, the morning coastal shower threat and tight pressure

gradient persist with Easterly winds gusting in the mid to upper 20s.  The

primary concerns for launch day are gusty Ground Winds and Cumulus Clouds.

In the event of a 24 hour delay, high pressure retreats to the East with a

persistent tight pressure gradient and breezy Southeasterly winds in advance

of the next cold front Sunday evening.  The primary concerns for a 24 hour

delay are gusty Ground Winds and Cumulus Clouds.  In the event of a 48 hour

delay, the aforementioned cold front is expected in the big bend area late

morning and nearing Central Florida late afternoon with cloudy conditions

and pre-frontal showers expected during the afternoon with a threat of an

isolated thunderstorm.  Southwest winds expected gusting in the upper teens

during the window.   The primary concerns for a 48 hour delay are Cumulus

Clouds, Disturbed Weather, and Thick Clouds.  In the event of a 72 hour

delay, the cold front is expected to be in South Florida with North to

Northeast winds gusting in the mid to upper teens.  The primary concerns for

a 72 hour delay are residual Thick Clouds associated with cold frontal

passage.

 

« Last Edit: 03/04/2011 03:53 pm by Chris Bergin »

Offline Chris Bergin

Moved for live coverage. Article from William shortly.

However, sources note NASA, USAF and Aerospace are meeting to ensure there are no common components between the Taurus XL components that could be at fault for this morning's failure and the Atlas V that will launch today.
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Offline jacqmans

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Just got back from remote camera setup, all looks good only the high wind can cause a delay right now...tanking should start at 1:45 and launch would be at 3:50

Photos wil follow later
Jacques :-)

Offline Chris Bergin

Sources: USAF and ULA have cleared commonality using same rationale as the OCO clearance.  No constraints due to the Glory failure.
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Offline Hunts Villain

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Several weather rules red at the moment.

Offline jacqmans

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Atlas-5 this morning...
Jacques :-)

Offline Chris Bergin

Another excellent launch preview article by William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/03/live-atlas-v-otv-2-launch/
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