LIVE: Delta-IV - WGS-05 - May 24, 2013

[Ian]

Here is the complete coverage:

[Artyom.]

My congratulations! Beautiful launch !

[Lewis007]

ULA launch highlights video

[jacqmans]

News Release Issued: May 24, 2013 (10:44pm EDT)


ATK Technologies Support Launch of ULA's Delta IV Rocket Carrying WGS-5
ATK's Role Includes Propulsion and Composites Structures

ARLINGTON, Va., May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) propulsion and composite technologies supported today's successful launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This rocket carried the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) into orbit for the U.S. Air Force.

WGS-5 is the fifth satellite delivered by prime contractor Boeing as part of the WGS system that provides flexible, high-capacity communications for the nation's warfighters. WGS provides an order of magnitude increase in military communications bandwidth, providing high data rate and long-haul communications for Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen worldwide.

"ATK's extensive involvement with this launch is indicative of the company's broad capabilities in the aerospace and space markets," said Blake Larson, president of ATK Aerospace Group. "We are pleased to continue our strong relationships with our customers on this mission."

This was the third time the Delta IV medium-plus rocket featured four ATK 60-inch diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM-60). The 53-foot-long motors were mounted in pairs on opposing sides of the rocket, with one fixed and one vectorable nozzle per side. They burned for 90 seconds and provided more than 1.1 million pounds of thrust to assist delivery of the WGS-5 satellite to its determined orbit. The composite cases, nose cones and aeroskirts for the GEM motors were fabricated at ATK's Clearfield, Utah, facility. The solid rocket motors were produced at ATK's Magna, Utah, facility. ATK has manufactured 58 GEM-60 boosters for the Delta IV launch vehicle since the initial flight in 2002.

The nozzle for Delta IV's RS-68 engine was designed and manufactured at ATK's Promontory, Utah, facility. The Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne-built RS-68 is the largest hydrogen-fueled engine in the world. ATK also designed and produced the nozzle's thermal protection material, which is capable of shielding the nozzle from the extreme heat of launch when external temperatures can exceed 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the Delta IV medium-plus launch vehicle itself, ATK supplied nine key composite structures, including the Interstage that provides the interface between the Common Booster Core and the cryogenic second stage, a Centerbody that integrates the liquid oxygen (LO2) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks, a Thermal Shield that protect the RS-68 engine during ignition and flight, and an LO2 Skirt. Additionally, the payload is encapsulated by a five-meter-diameter composite payload Fairing, along with required hardware for payload integration: Nose Cap, X-Panels, Payload Attach Fitting, and Payload Attach Fitting Diaphragm. The structures are five meters in diameter and range from one to 15 meters in length. They are all produced using advanced hand layup, machining and inspection techniques at ATK's manufacturing facility in Iuka, Miss., with the exception of the X-Panels, which are produced at ATK's facility in Clearfield, Utah.

ATK also provided the propellant tank for the Delta IV upper stage roll control system. The tank was manufactured at ATK's Commerce, Calif., facility.

WGS supports the defense communications system, the U.S. Army's ground mobile forces, the U.S. Air Force's airborne terminals, the U.S. Navy's ships at sea, the White House Communications Agency, the U.S. State Department and other special users.

[jacqmans]

Boeing-built WGS-5 Satellite Enhances Tactical Communications for Warfighters


5th Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft sends 1st signals from orbit
 
Satellite functioning and ready for post-launch testing

 
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 24, 2013 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received the first on-orbit signals from the fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite it is delivering to the U.S. Air Force to give warfighters greater access to fast, secure communications that help them complete their missions more safely and effectively.

After reaching final orbit, WGS-5 will complete several maneuvers and tests before beginning operations.

WGS-5, part of the upgraded Block II series, will continue to extend the global reach of the WGS system to more users. The spacecraft and its ground terminals can operate in X- and Ka-band frequencies, and coverage areas can be shaped to meet users’ needs. WGS-5 also adds additional bandwidth to the system, addressing a critical need of the U.S. Department of Defense.

“This satellite is going to strengthen an important tool that warfighters count on to be successful and safe,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems.

WGS-5 launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle today at 8:27 p.m. Eastern time from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Controllers in Australia confirmed initial contact with the spacecraft 59 minutes later, indicating that the vehicle is functioning normally and ready to be moved into geosynchronous Earth orbit.
 

[Ben the Space Brit]

I was just watching the recording of the ULA broadcast.  Were they just moving the camera angle on the simulation or did the spacecraft yaw gently to the left shortly after upper stage ignition?

[the_roche_lobe]

I was just watching the recording of the ULA broadcast.  Were they just moving the camera angle on the simulation or did the spacecraft yaw gently to the left shortly after upper stage ignition?

That happens all the time - Ive seen plenty more 'jiggling about' after staging that that. Attitude control thrusters seem to damp it out within a few seconds.

P

[Antares]

On any launch, a little bit of guidance error develops after MECO, during coast, staging, coast and start transient.  What you see is the effect of the guidance loop being re-enabled.

[baldusi]

Does this launch actually put the DIV family over the 95% reliability record?

[marshal]

Boeing WGS-5 Satellite Receives First Signals

[newpylong]

Does this launch actually put the DIV family over the 95% reliability record?

Yes, using the first Heavy Demo launch as a failure they are 21/22 for 95% success.

Atlas V 37/38 for 97%

[edkyle99]

Does this launch actually put the DIV family over the 95% reliability record?

Yes, using the first Heavy Demo launch as a failure they are 21/22 for 95% success.

Atlas V 37/38 for 97%

Getting statistic-y gives Best Estimate reliability of about 0.92 based on 21 successes 22 samples, 0.94 based on the 16 for 16 performance of Delta 4 Medium alone, and 0.75 for the Heavy alone.  These estimates "feel" about right to me given last Fall's near-failure on the GPS mission.
http://www.measuringusability.com/wald.htm

I'm a fan of the LaPlace method for low sample number reliability estimates.

 - Ed Kyle

[jacqmans]

5th Boeing-Built Wideband Satellite Increases Coverage for Warfighters

US Air Force begins operating WGS-5 after spacecraft completes on-orbit tests


EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 2, 2013 – The fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite built by Boeing [NYSE: BA] is providing the U.S. military and its international partners additional access to the fast, secure communications vital to successful missions. WGS-5, which was launched in May, has completed on-orbit testing and is now being operated by the U.S. Air Force.

The second spacecraft in the WGS program’s upgraded Block II series, WGS-5 provides protected wideband communications to users anywhere in its field of view.

"The WGS mission is a force multiplier for the Department of Defense, U.S. government agencies, and our allied partners,” said Lt. Col. Karen Roe, Commander, 53rd Signal Battalion (SATCON). “We are so pleased to have this capability across our formation and thank the Boeing team for their dedication to excellence."

WGS-5 is the first of two WGS satellites launched this year.

“WGS-5 addresses a critical need of the Defense Department by increasing capacity and enhancing global coverage, supporting warfighters with communications bandwidth when they need it,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems.

WGS-6 – launched 75 days after WGS-5 – is performing as expected and scheduled to complete its handover to the Air Force later this year.