Block V KH-11 according to a SN article of a while ago talking about the NROL-61 payload.Quote“Its design may be optimized to support the next generation heavy electro-optical imagery intelligence satellites of KH-11 lineage. I believe that there have been four KH-11 versions (aka blocks) since 1976. The first two launches of what I call Block 5 KH-11 are planned for September 2018 and July 2020.”https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/07/28/spy-satellite-infrastructure-supported-by-atlas-5-rocket-launch/
“Its design may be optimized to support the next generation heavy electro-optical imagery intelligence satellites of KH-11 lineage. I believe that there have been four KH-11 versions (aka blocks) since 1976. The first two launches of what I call Block 5 KH-11 are planned for September 2018 and July 2020.”
https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/1163898898253041664Quote2/2 After Thursday’s Delta 4-Medium swan song, ULA plans two Delta 4-Heavy missions next year, both for the NRO. First up is NROL-44 from Cape Canaveral in June 2020, followed by NROL-82 from Vandenberg AFB in September 2020.
2/2 After Thursday’s Delta 4-Medium swan song, ULA plans two Delta 4-Heavy missions next year, both for the NRO. First up is NROL-44 from Cape Canaveral in June 2020, followed by NROL-82 from Vandenberg AFB in September 2020.
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/Quote4th Quarter • Delta 4-Heavy • NROL-82Launch time: TBDLaunch site: SLC-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
4th Quarter • Delta 4-Heavy • NROL-82Launch time: TBDLaunch site: SLC-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Quote from: edkyle99 on 11/15/2019 11:50 pmWhy rollout seven months before launch? Is this due to ULA personnel limits, bouncing between Atlas 5 and Delta 4 at the Cape? - Ed KyleIt is my understanding of past ULA/Tory Bruno messages (some cryptic) as well as a liberty of personal opinions that by erecting the next 2 DIVH's on their pads allows for all remaining DIVH's to be shipped out of Decatur and stored at their launch sites DPF's/DOC's This is part of ULA's 30 rockets mass flow. It allows the remaining DIV production and finishing lines at ULA to be handed over to the Vulcan team to ramp up Vulcan production and preship processing.
Why rollout seven months before launch? Is this due to ULA personnel limits, bouncing between Atlas 5 and Delta 4 at the Cape? - Ed Kyle
Beautiful afternoon in Port
#ULARocketShip was stopping by the Cape today to pick up something on its way to VAFB
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --A United Launch Alliance barge, carrying Delta IV Heavy booster cores, second stage and payload faring, docked and delivered the rocket body parts April 5, 2020, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.The ULA barge, known as the RocketShip, delivered the parts in preparation for an upcoming launch scheduled for later this year showcasing the ongoing mission amidst COVID-19.“We have been anticipating and planning this operation in coordination with ULA for several months,” said 1st Lt. Jasmine Toye, 2nd Space Launch Squadron mission integration manager. “No matter the circumstances, we have one job: perform the mission. Now is no different.”The arrival of the Delta IV Heavy is a vital first step in ensuring space superiority through assured access to space.“We are continuing to work with our launch partners to ensure the Western Range remains postured to launch,” said Col. Anthony Mastalir, 30th Space Wing commander. “COVID-19 may be the threat at the forefront of everyone’s mind, and we are certainly taking all the necessary precautions to address that threat, but make no mistake, our national security still depends on our ability to launch rockets.”The rocket parts were ultimately delivered to ULA’s Horizontal Integration Facility, where they will be configured for the next several months before being erected into Space Launch Complex-6 for final integration and launch.
ULA and military crews offloaded the Delta 4-Heavy rocket hardware over a six-day process and transferred the components to ULA’s Horizontal Integration Facility.
An interesting piece of news from: ULA delivers Delta 4-Heavy rocket to California launch base, dated April 16QuoteULA and military crews offloaded the Delta 4-Heavy rocket hardware over a six-day process and transferred the components to ULA’s Horizontal Integration Facility.I didn't know that the process takes that long.
Mission partners & base members extracted a Delta IV Heavy booster from a @ULA barge, yesterday. The barge docked to offload the final booster for an upcoming launch scheduled to occur later this year🚀 #SpaceForce
https://twitter.com/30thspacewing/status/1257785366020411392Quote Mission partners & base members extracted a Delta IV Heavy booster from a @ULA barge, yesterday. The barge docked to offload the final booster for an upcoming launch scheduled to occur later this year🚀 #SpaceForce
Sources said that after the Aug. 29 [Delta IV-H] abort, ULA sent crews out to Vandenberg to inspect the ground systems there.
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 04/24/2020 06:09 amAn interesting piece of news from: ULA delivers Delta 4-Heavy rocket to California launch base, dated April 16QuoteULA and military crews offloaded the Delta 4-Heavy rocket hardware over a six-day process and transferred the components to ULA’s Horizontal Integration Facility.I didn't know that the process takes that long.Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/05/2020 09:49 pmhttps://twitter.com/30thspacewing/status/1257785366020411392Quote Mission partners & base members extracted a Delta IV Heavy booster from a @ULA barge, yesterday. The barge docked to offload the final booster for an upcoming launch scheduled to occur later this year🚀 #SpaceForceThese seem to contradict each other - April 5 arrival hardware offloaded in 6 days in one post and docked and offload on May 4 in the second post .... So was this a different trip by Rocketship for another booster or one of the boosters from April 5 remained on board and just extracted in May or something else?
Would it be reasonable to assume that the SLC-6 facilities are currently undergoing the same investigation and maintenance as SLC-37B? (Last SLC-6 launch was in January 2019.)
From: Atlas 5 to fly Northrop Grumman’s solid boosters in upcoming launch of NRO satellite, dated September 11QuoteSources said that after the Aug. 29 [Delta IV-H] abort, ULA sent crews out to Vandenberg to inspect the ground systems there.
Quote from: TweetUSSPACECOM command team, USArmy GEN James Dickinson & USMC MGySgt Scott Stalker US_SpaceComCSEL, visited VandenbergAFB launch facilities. 30thSpaceWing supports westcoast launches for NASA DeptofDefense usairforce private industry & Missile Defense Agency test/ops.Most probably the Delta IV-Heavy for this mission.
USSPACECOM command team, USArmy GEN James Dickinson & USMC MGySgt Scott Stalker US_SpaceComCSEL, visited VandenbergAFB launch facilities. 30thSpaceWing supports westcoast launches for NASA DeptofDefense usairforce private industry & Missile Defense Agency test/ops.
Read on another forum that there is only currently only one pad crew for the Delta IV Heavy. So if this is true, then having enough personnel to work on both pads simultaneously is unlikely. But this is from some random poster on the internet, so take it as an unsubstantiated rumor.
Didn't the colonel say "in the next few months" at the Sentinel 6 briefing?
A couple orbital launches are coming up from Vandenberg in the near future. A Delta 4 Heavy launch of another NRO payload is scheduled for “the next few months,” [Col. Anthony Mastalir, commander of the 30th Space Wing] said.
Yes. Corrective actions at SLC37 are being preemptively applied to SLC6
ULA’s next launch is the STP-3 mission for the U.S. Space Force, scheduled for first quarter 2021 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
ULA's next #DeltaIVHeavy rocket now stands atop Space Launch Complex-6, its West Coast launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket will perform the #NROL82 mission in service to @NatReconOfc later this spring.Learn more: https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/nrol-82-delta-iv-heavy-rocket-rolled-to-launch-pad
https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/nrol-82-delta-iv-heavy-rocket-rolled-to-launch-padQuoteThe Fixed Pad Erector raised the vehicle upright at the pad on Tuesday, Feb. 16 to complete the Launch Vehicle on Stand (LVOS) milestone for Delta IV Heavy to conduct the NROL-82.A Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) to exercise the rocket and ground systems in a practice countdown setting will be conducted this spring. Vertically attaching the encapsulated payload to finish assembly of the 23-story rocket follows the WDR in the launch campaign.Launch is currently anticipated in the second quarter of 2021.
The Fixed Pad Erector raised the vehicle upright at the pad on Tuesday, Feb. 16 to complete the Launch Vehicle on Stand (LVOS) milestone for Delta IV Heavy to conduct the NROL-82.A Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) to exercise the rocket and ground systems in a practice countdown setting will be conducted this spring. Vertically attaching the encapsulated payload to finish assembly of the 23-story rocket follows the WDR in the launch campaign.Launch is currently anticipated in the second quarter of 2021.
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1369311927013421062QuoteSpaceflight Now @SpaceflightNowUnited Launch Alliance recently raised a Delta 4-Heavy rocket, one of four left in the company’s backlog, on a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, for liftoff with a secret US government spy satellite at the end of April.
Spaceflight Now @SpaceflightNowUnited Launch Alliance recently raised a Delta 4-Heavy rocket, one of four left in the company’s backlog, on a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, for liftoff with a secret US government spy satellite at the end of April.
The NROL-82 mission is scheduled to launch at the “end of April,” said Col. David Rickards, director of staff at the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg, in a presentation March 4 [annual State of the Base; brief TV news report here] discussing the base’s plans for 2021. NRO and ULA officials have not announced the target launch date, but the mission is expected to be ULA’s first mission of the year after delays in the launch from Cape Canaveral of Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule on an unpiloted test flight.
Including the NROL-82 mission, ULA has four Delta 4-Heavy flights scheduled through 2023 — two from Vandenberg and two from Cape Canaveral.
Here : https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article249780313.htmlQuoteLikewise, the Central Coast installation will be dubbed Vandenberg Space Force Base. “We don’t have a date for our name change just yet, but we anticipate this transition happening soon,” Rickards said.And here : https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/military/vandenberg/military-officials-plan-to-rename-vandenberg-air-force-base-more-launches-in-2021/article_b75f5174-369b-51ce-ad84-386588b5a671.htmlIt's Col. David Rickards during the State of Vandenberg presentation on Thursday, March 4, 2021, hosted by the Santa Maria Valley and Lompoc Valley chambers of commerce.
Likewise, the Central Coast installation will be dubbed Vandenberg Space Force Base. “We don’t have a date for our name change just yet, but we anticipate this transition happening soon,” Rickards said.
The #DeltaIVHeavy rocket that will perform the #NROL82 mission for @NatReconOfc successfully ran through its countdown paces in the critical pre-flight test yesterday at Vandenberg AFB, California.Read more in our blog: bit.ly/3vuYx93
🚀 LAUNCH UPDATE: The next NRO launch to watch is our #NROL82 mission on a United Launch Alliance #DeltaIVHeavy, targeting NET Apr. 26 from Vandenberg Air Force Base--stay tuned for our mission patch reveal! @ulalaunch @USSF_SMC @30thSpaceWing
MISSION PATCH REVEAL! The #NROL82 mission patch commemorates the many heroic acts and sacrifices made to protect our way of life. The logo depicts an eagle, America's symbol of freedom, wearing the flight gear of a WWII Fighter Ace, specifically Gregory “Pappy” Boyington.As a WWII fighter pilot in the Marine Corps, Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was awarded the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Purple Heart for his heroism and dedication, and ACE fighter pilot skills. In the background you will find an F4U Corsair, Boyington's aircraft.The "SISU" tattooed on the eagle’s arm represents a mystical Finnish word roughly translated as strength of will, determination, perseverance: true grit. SISU is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain courage; a trait found in every American hero.The three stars on the patch honor those who have served, are serving, or will serve to preserve America’s way of life. Finally, the Latin phrase, TACITAE LIBERTATIS CUSTODEMQUE, ties the logo together in its translation: Silent Guardians of Freedom.
A national security payload of vital importance to the United States is mounted atop the only rocket in the world today capable of launching it--ULA's #DeltaIVHeavy. Learn more about the @NatReconOfc #NROL82 spacecraft mate in the blog: https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/nrol-82-payload-joined-to-delta-iv-heavy-for-critical-launch
LAUNCH UPDATE: Our #NROL82 mission launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base on a @ulalaunch #DeltaIVHeavy is targeted for NET April 26, 1239-1557 PDT. @30thSpaceWing
R/S RocketShip: Road to VandenbergNavigating both rivers and open oceans, the highly maneuverable R/S RocketShip plays a critical role in all missions launched by United Launch Alliance (ULA). Let’s take a ride with the vessel as it leaves Decatur, AL to deliver the Delta IV Heavy rocket for the National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-82 mission to Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA.
This additional video (from another NRO Launch (NROL-71) would complete the great video above.
🚀LAUNCH UPDATE: Our #NROL82 mission launch is still targeting NET next Monday, April 26, with a targeted liftoff of 1:46 p.m. PDT. Follow along on launch day with live updates here and on @ulalaunch's live broadcast: ulalaunch.com/missions/next-… @30thSpaceWing @USSF_SMC
With #NROL82 next week, & given the eventful campaign of NROL-44 last year, we spoke with @ulalaunch on how they're ensuring those same issues won't happen at Vandenberg & won't recur in Florida. #DeltaIVHeavyFrom Joseph Navin (@josephanavin) & myself⬇️
Any history buffs know who this is? (No internet cheating. I was actually surprised how well facial recognition websites work)
So much so that I've arranged air travel arriving into LAX at 7:30 am the morning of the scheduled launch. I'm hopping into a rental car and driving towards Vandenberg.
ULA says there's a 40 percent chance of acceptable weather for the April 26 launch attempt of a Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-82 satellite. Mission is from Vandenberg in California. Launch time is 1:46 p.m. PT (20:46 UTC).
Forecast is unfortunately the same for 24 hours later.
QuoteULA says there's a 40 percent chance of acceptable weather for the April 26 launch attempt of a Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-82 satellite.....QuoteForecast is unfortunately the same for 24 hours later.
ULA says there's a 40 percent chance of acceptable weather for the April 26 launch attempt of a Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-82 satellite.....
April 22, 2021, @ 7:32 PM PST The following is an update from the United Launch Alliance:Hello,Everything is progressing toward the ULA Delta IV Heavy launch carrying the NROL-82 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The mission is set to lift off on Monday, April 26 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Today’s forecast shows a 40 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 1:46 p.m. PDT.Launch Forecast Summary:Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 60%Primary concerns: Surface winds, Thick cloudsOverall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 60%Primary concern: Surface winds, Thick cloudsHashtagsThe hashtags for this launch are: #DeltaIVHeavy #NROL82Launch BroadcastLive broadcast coverage of launch will begin at 1:26 p.m. PDT on April 26.Live launch updates and webcast available at: www.ulalaunch.comALL TIMES PACIFICMONDAY, APRIL 26BARS + TONE – 12:56 P.M.PROGRAM START – 1:25 P.M.DIGITAL SATELLITE C-BAND DOWNLINKHD FORMATSATELLITE — G3TRANSPONDER — 7ABAND — C-BAND DIGITALORBITAL POSITION — 95°WHD BANDWIDTH — 9 MHzUPLINK — 6,051.5 MHz (Vertical)DOWNLINK — 3,826.5 MHz (Horizontal)SYMBOL RATE — 7.5FEC — ¾DVB-S2 – 8PSKMPEG 4AUDIO EMBEDDEDWebcast available at www.ulalaunch.com and www.youtube.com/unitedlaunchalliance
Leadership from ULA, @NatReconOfc and @SpaceForceDOD held the Launch Readiness Review for the #NROL82 mission today and gave a unanimous "ready" for Monday's countdown to liftoff of #DeltaIVHeavy. #PartnersInSpacehttps://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-82
This gives a probability of 1-0.6*0.6 = 64% for acceptable weather on at least one of the days of April 26 and 27 (and a 36% change that the weather will be below limits on both days).
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) provided the following update this afternoon:"The ULA Launch Readiness Review was completed today and everything is progressing toward the ULA Delta IV Heavy launch carrying the NROL-82 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The mission is set to lift off on Monday, April 26 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Today’s forecast shows a 30 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 1:46 p.m. PDT."
The following is a news release from the ULA:United Launch Alliance to Launch NROL-82 Mission to Support National SecurityDelta IV Heavy heavy-lift performance required for missionVandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., (April 23, 2021) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket is in final preparations to launch the NROL-82 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to support national security. The launch is on track for April 26 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Launch is planned for 1:46 p.m. PDT. The live launch broadcast begins at 1:26 p.m. PDT on April 26 at www.ulalaunch.com.“ULA is proud of our long-standing history supporting national security space. The unmatched performance of the Delta IV Heavy is essential for launching some of our nation’s most critical national security space missions and we look forward to delivering this critical asset to space,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “It takes a cross-functional team to support a national security launch and we would like to thank our mission partners for their continued trust, collaboration and teamwork.”The Delta IV Heavy is the nation’s proven heavy lifter, delivering high-priority missions for the U.S. Space Force, NRO and NASA. The vehicle also launched NASA's Orion capsule on its first orbital test flight and sent the Parker Solar Probe on its journey to unlock the mysteries of the Sun.This Delta IV Heavy is comprised of three common core boosters each powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68A liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine producing a combined total of more than 2.1 million pounds of thrust. The second stage is powered by an AR RL10B-2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine.This will be the 42nd launch of the Delta IV rocket and the 13th in the Heavy configuration. To date ULA has launched 142 times with 100 percent mission success.With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 140 missions to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, deliver cutting-edge commercial services and enable GPS navigation. For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch
🚀✨ Wonder when you will see the #DeltaIVHeavy near you? Our visibility graphic shows when the rocket will rise into view during its #NROL82 mission ⬇️
Just finished remote camera setup for NROL-82/Delta IV Heavy ahead of launch tomorrow from legendary SLC-6 at Vandenberg AFB. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates and we get some great imagery! @NASASpaceflight @ulalaunch @NatReconOfc #NROL82
Really nice touch on the NROL-82 Delta IV Heavy from @ulalaunch. "Salute to our front-line medical workers! In harm's way to keep us healthy while we flight to keep America safe." @NASASpaceflight #NROL82
Today’s the day. #NROL82. Improved, but still pretty windy out there. Everyone continue to think calm, still thoughts...
#DeltaIVHeavy is powering up for launch and preparations are underway at Space Launch Complex-6 for retraction of the Mobile Service Tower. The latest weather forecast for the 1:46pmPDT (4:46pmEDT; 2046 UTC) launch time indicates a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions.
The Mobile Service Tower is a critical part of Space Launch Complex-6, providing the primary access and weather protection during a rocket's stay on the launch pad, and its overhead crane system serves a vital role in vertical integration of payloads onto the Delta IV Heavy.Activities remain on schedule for a liftoff at 1:46 p.m. PDT (4:46 p.m. EDT; 2046 UTC).
The Mobile Service Tower at Space Launch Complex-6 has been retracted and secured in the launch position, revealing the United Launch Alliance #DeltaIVHeavy rocket for today's #NROL82 launch. Follow our live launch blog for updates: bit.ly/div_nrol82
Activities are on schedule and the weather is GO for the #DeltaIVHeavy launch. ULA is running the #NROL82 countdown from the Remote Launch Control Center, about 11 miles from the pad. Live countdown updates: http://bit.ly/div_nrol82
In the pre-fueling weather briefing, conditions along the Central Coast of California are acceptable for proceeding into cryogenic tanking operations at Space Launch Complex-6.Launch Weather Officer Lt. Max Rush from the 30th Weather Squadron also reports that the winds are trending in our favor so far today for the flight of Delta IV Heavy.This is Delta Launch Control at T-minus 4 hours, 15 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the first of two planned, built-in holds that are scheduled in today's timeline. Each is a block of time that gives the countdown some margin to resolve issues or catch up on work could be running behind.This particular hold serves as a margin before fueling operations begin. At the present time, however, all activities are progressing well and no significant problems are being addressed by the launch team.The final hold occurs at T-minus 4 minutes.
The countdown has resumed and we are GO to fuel #DeltaIVHeavy with 470,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Activities are progressing smoothly here in the launch control center and at the Space Launch Complex-6 pad for today's launch. bit.ly/div_nrol82
Booster tanking underway and nominal. The board is green. The team is not working any issues at this time. #NROL82
hey tory, is the weather optimistic for the launch?
Iffy. Still pretty windy
The countdown is exactly two hours away from the #NROL82 liftoff time. We have a green status board for #DeltaIVHeavy, ground systems and the weather. bit.ly/div_nrol82
8.5 min to the planned hold. The board is green. The net is quiet
Launch Weather Officer Lt. Max Rush reports the current conditions are GO for liftoff today at 1:47pmPDT (4:47pmEDT; 2047 UTC). bit.ly/div_nrol82
LAUNCH! ULA Delta IV-Heavy launches with NROL-82 out of Vandenberg.Article overview:nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/ula-nr…NSF:youtube.com/watch?v=_u0-0T…ULA:youtube.com/watch?v=gVoo0Q…
There go the side boosters.
Liftoff of Delta IV Heavy and NROL-82 from Vandenberg AFB in California! Now we hope our remote cameras worked. @nasaspaceflight
Onboard video of fairing separation from the livestream (Visible at 22:57).
Remote camera shots of Delta IV Heavy lifting the classified NROL-82 payload into orbit. @NASASpaceflight
Two cameras didn’t fire, including my engine closeup, and the others were obstructed by smoke thanks to wind direction. Not a great day for me. Oh well, on to the next one.
143
> Cees, congratulations on making sense of sometimes confusing data and getting observations on all three of your passes.I ad my congratulations!Based on the hybrid optical-radio orbit that Scott tweeted a few hours ago(https://twitter.com/coastal8049/status/1386956328636096515?s=20), it appearsthat the NROL-82 payload (USA 314) has been placed in virtually the same orbitalplane as USA 224 (which it is likely intended to replace).RAAN differs by ~1 degree, inclination by ~0.1 degreeThe orbital altitude is (for now) somewhat different, but it might manoeuvre tomake those match later. So let us continue to keep an eye on it.As the orbit is very preliminary, the figures above are rule of thumb figures.- Marco
The following orbital elements are based on the observations obtainedover the 2nd and 3rd orbit of NROL-82.NROL-82 522 x 761 km1 99596U 21117.05771367 .00000000 00000-0 50000-4 0 082 99596 98.0546 230.2670 0169852 86.6649 330.9798 14.76209142 07# 20210426.99-20210427.06, 18 measurements, 0.008 deg rmsThe orbit is less eccentric compared to typical KH-11 missions, whichusually have 260 x 1000 km orbits. However, the mean motion is closeto that of those missions. For example, both USA 224 [37348/11002A]and USA 245 [39232/13043A] have a mean motion near 14.81 revolutionsper day.Interestingly, the orbital plane of the NROL-82 payload is almostco-planar with that of USA 224, and furthermore, both satellites arein the same orbital phase. Both objects passed the ascending node at10:53:40UTC today only 7 seconds apart! Over the course of the firsttwo days after launch, the distance between USA 224 and NROL-82 variesfrom 3000km to 100 km!Though there are still some uncertainties about the precise parametersof the NROL-82 orbit, it certainly appears that USA 224 is, and hasbeen, in a position to monitor NROL-82 during the early checkout phaseafter launch.Regards, Cees
Cees was exhausted from hours of observing and needed to retire for the night but posted his optical observations on Seesat-l of the NROL82 payload. I fit them to radio TLE we developed and have refined things for a very good fit. TLE in this thread.
NROL82 payload USA 314 TLE is constrained now to allow for automated tracking with dish. Radio pass just completed here firms up visual observations from Europe. Refined TLE to follow in thread. Timing is really close, still some minor uncertainty remains about orbit shape.
1 99597U 21116.98994022 .00000000 00000-0 50000-4 0 052 99597 98.0230 230.2275 0166298 84.7632 333.2358 14.75907831 08# 20210427.33-20210427.33, 91 measurements, 0.074 kHz rms
This is virtually the same orbital plane as USA 224, but somewhat less elliptical. Will be interesting to see if it will manoeuvre to match USA 224's apogee and perigee.
Apr 26 19:001 min adjustment of liftoff due to a Collision Avoidance (COLA) closure, now at 20:47 UTC
It's the fourth time a Delta IV Heavy has flown at the first attempt - the last two times that happened were also KH-11 missions from Vandenberg, NROL-65 in 2013 and NROL-49 in 2011. DSP-23 also went at the first time of asking in 2007, after many delays before it finally got to launch day.
Quote from: William Graham on 04/26/2021 09:10 pmIt's the fourth time a Delta IV Heavy has flown at the first attempt - the last two times that happened were also KH-11 missions from Vandenberg, NROL-65 in 2013 and NROL-49 in 2011. DSP-23 also went at the first time of asking in 2007, after many delays before it finally got to launch day.I'm so glad this was not a drama-llama launch!
This was on the L-71 thread:"Assuming it's not closed down in town, jump on San Miguelito Road and drive as far south down it as you can. It was open for the Heavy launches in 2011 and 2013."The road goes farther than the point in this pic, but it drops lower from this point. I have no idea if they block this road, or when if they do. It's a really nice drive too. Just head south out of downtown Lompoc.
Was this the reason for the COLA?QuoteNo, but it started with the letter "S". lol (other stuff too)
No, but it started with the letter "S". lol (other stuff too)
Last night I filmed USA 314 (first imaged by @cgbassa a night earlier), the classified payload of last Monday's #NROL82 launch.We are quite certain it is a KH-11 electro-optical reconnaissance satellite, given the orbit it is in.
2/2Here is a photographic image of the same pass:
It seems curious to me that a classified payload with a classified orbit should still carry an S-band beacon allowing it to be easily tracked by amateur observers. Is there some pressing reason for this?
Quote from: Star One on 04/28/2021 09:48 amIt seems curious to me that a classified payload with a classified orbit should still carry an S-band beacon allowing it to be easily tracked by amateur observers. Is there some pressing reason for this?How else is it going to communicate with tracking stations?
You could certainly imagine a spread-spectrum encoding that puts the signal far below the noise floor unless you know the code. This is decades-old techology - GPS signals are an excellent example.
I suspect it has such technology and will enable it later, but for initial checkout they keep things simple. Later they will enable stealth communications and move it into its operational orbit.
Later they will enable stealth communications and move it into its operational orbit.
Quote from: LouScheffer on 04/28/2021 04:45 pmYou could certainly imagine a spread-spectrum encoding that puts the signal far below the noise floor unless you know the code. This is decades-old techology - GPS signals are an excellent example.No, part of the point of the signal is for tracking and getting range and rate data to the tracking station. GPS is very simplistic signal and low data rate.
Quote from: LouScheffer on 04/28/2021 04:45 pm Later they will enable stealth communications and move it into its operational orbit.It is basically the operational orbit
This is backwards - range and range-rate are BEST done with wide-spectrum signals. This has been used since Apollo, is the basis for ranging all deep space probes, and is the basis for GPS, where range is the entire point. A narrow-band signal enables simple acquisition, but is not good for ranging.
Quote from: Jim on 04/28/2021 01:14 pmQuote from: Star One on 04/28/2021 09:48 amIt seems curious to me that a classified payload with a classified orbit should still carry an S-band beacon allowing it to be easily tracked by amateur observers. Is there some pressing reason for this?How else is it going to communicate with tracking stations?Shouldn’t it have some alternative system not accessible to everyone?
Quote from: LouScheffer on 04/29/2021 01:12 pmThis is backwards - range and range-rate are BEST done with wide-spectrum signals. This has been used since Apollo, is the basis for ranging all deep space probes, and is the basis for GPS, where range is the entire point. A narrow-band signal enables simple acquisition, but is not good for ranging.The point was data rate also.
Another bullseye. Might need to start using smaller dots...
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) on Apr. 26, 2021, launched its NROL-82 mission on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. It was NRO's first launch of 2021. In this highlight video, hear Director of NRO's Office of Space Launch Colonel Chad Davis and NRO Director Dr. Chris Scolese discuss the work that goes into every mission launch.