Author Topic: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - 26 April 2021 (20:47 UTC)  (Read 57064 times)

Offline zubenelgenubi

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NROL-82

The consensus of launch-watchers, based on publicly available evidence, is that this launch will place the second Block V KH-11/Kennen/Crystal satellite in orbit.

NROL-71 launch thread

Launch originally planned for July 2020:
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/

Then, September 2020:
https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/1163898898253041664
Quote
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.

Now, 4th quarter 2020:
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
Quote
4th Quarter • Delta 4-Heavy • NROL-82
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
***

Has this Delta IV-Heavy already shipped to Vandenberg?
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
It 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.
« Last Edit: 04/27/2021 08:39 am by Galactic Penguin SST »
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #1 on: 03/06/2020 07:17 am »
https://twitter.com/rbalephoto/status/1235652124979023877

Quote
Beautiful afternoon in Port

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1235730757500284933

Quote
#ULARocketShip was stopping by the Cape today to pick up something on its way to VAFB

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #2 on: 03/06/2020 10:33 pm »
Are we hypothesizing that a Delta IV Heavy was shipped via Delta Mariner/Rocketship from Decatur to the Cape, at some earlier time?

Then, circa March 5, a DIV-H shipped via Rocketship from the Cape, destination Vandenberg?
« Last Edit: 03/07/2020 02:20 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline Jaskentner

Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #3 on: 03/09/2020 09:38 pm »
It sounds like all three cores were on Rocketship when it left Decatur in mid-February, and the stop at the Cape was to pick up something else for Vandenburg.

https://twitter.com/rbalephoto/status/1235735188363268097
« Last Edit: 03/09/2020 09:39 pm by Jaskentner »

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #5 on: 04/10/2020 07:17 pm »
https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2143111/rocketship-delivers-delta-iv-heavy-boosters-at-vafb/

Quote
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.

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #6 on: 04/24/2020 06:09 am »
An interesting piece of news from: ULA delivers Delta 4-Heavy rocket to California launch base, dated April 16
Quote
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.
I didn't know that the process takes that long.
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Offline russianhalo117

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #7 on: 04/24/2020 06:12 am »
An interesting piece of news from: ULA delivers Delta 4-Heavy rocket to California launch base, dated April 16
Quote
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.
I didn't know that the process takes that long.
Additional hardware hence Port Canaveral detour. It can also carry containers inside and on top of the RORO deck.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #8 on: 05/05/2020 09:49 pm »
https://twitter.com/30thspacewing/status/1257785366020411392

Quote
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

Offline Targeteer

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #9 on: 05/06/2020 01:50 am »
additional photo from Vandenberg Facebook page
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Newton_V

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #10 on: 06/20/2020 07:37 pm »
Any history buffs know who this is?  (No internet cheating.  I was actually surprised how well facial recognition websites work)

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #11 on: 09/04/2020 07:13 pm »
SFN Launch Schedule, dated September 4
NROL-82 launch month is December 2020.
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Offline Yeknom-Ecaps

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #12 on: 09/11/2020 11:09 pm »
An interesting piece of news from: ULA delivers Delta 4-Heavy rocket to California launch base, dated April 16
Quote
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.
I didn't know that the process takes that long.


https://twitter.com/30thspacewing/status/1257785366020411392

Quote
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


These 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?
« Last Edit: 09/11/2020 11:12 pm by Yeknom-Ecaps »

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #13 on: 09/16/2020 09:49 am »
From: Atlas 5 to fly Northrop Grumman’s solid boosters in upcoming launch of NRO satellite, dated September 11
Quote
Sources said that after the Aug. 29 [Delta IV-H] abort, ULA sent crews out to Vandenberg to inspect the ground systems there.
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Offline cwr

An interesting piece of news from: ULA delivers Delta 4-Heavy rocket to California launch base, dated April 16
Quote
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.
I didn't know that the process takes that long.


https://twitter.com/30thspacewing/status/1257785366020411392

Quote
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


These 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?

The ship was carrying all three cores for the Delta IVH when it reached Vandenberg in April.
If I remember correctly the ship did not reach the dock on it's first and maybe it's 2nd attempt
to dock due to bad weather.
The first time the ship reached the dock and successfully unloaded a core was April 5.
Bad weather caused the ship to withdraw from the dock while still carrying part of the delivery.
Bad weather persisted for some time before the ship was able to dock and offload the remainder
of the delivery on May 4th.
The ship remained in the Vandenberg vicinity throughout the period before returning to home base.

I do remember the whole delivery being reported in the media but at this remove, I don't
remember if it docked at Vandenberg 2 or 3 times on this trip, nor do I remember the dates
but it was the delivery of this Delta IVH.

I'm pretty confident a thread on NSF covered the whole trip from it leaving Decatur, its
trip through the Panama canal and the attempts to dock at Vandenberg.

Hope this helps

Carl

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #15 on: 11/17/2020 10:42 pm »
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.)
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Offline TorenAltair

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #16 on: 11/17/2020 11:35 pm »
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 a rationally viewpoint, you would expect that. But sadly, just looking at the record of the past years, I don‘t expect that from space companies.

Offline Jansen

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #17 on: 11/18/2020 12:24 am »
From: Atlas 5 to fly Northrop Grumman’s solid boosters in upcoming launch of NRO satellite, dated September 11
Quote
Sources said that after the Aug. 29 [Delta IV-H] abort, ULA sent crews out to Vandenberg to inspect the ground systems there.

Well I’m still hoping this is true and they got the bugs worked out. And maybe worked on the same stuff as SLC-37B.
« Last Edit: 11/18/2020 12:25 am by Jansen »

Offline maosmiraculous

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #18 on: 11/19/2020 04:06 pm »
https://mobile.twitter.com/US_SpaceCom/status/1329179554020134912

Most probably the Delta IV-Heavy for this mission.

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #19 on: 11/19/2020 08:56 pm »
Quote from: Tweet
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.
Most probably the Delta IV-Heavy for this mission.
Curious as to when this photo was taken: Sometime in the 2020 "masking" era; DIVH still in the SLC-6 HIF.  I wonder if it has gone vertical on the pad since the photo?

(It took me a few moments to realize "MGySgt" abbreviates Master Gunnery Sergeant.)
« Last Edit: 11/19/2020 08:59 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline Zed_Noir

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #20 on: 11/20/2020 10:12 am »
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.)

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.

Offline Jansen

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #21 on: 11/21/2020 07:52 am »
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.

I recall either Tory Bruno or ULA saying NROL-82 was delayed from September due to only having one Delta IV launch team.

At this point NROL-82 is in danger of slipping in to January, unless Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks are cancelled.

Offline gongora

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December 2020
« Reply #22 on: 11/21/2020 01:13 pm »
Didn't the colonel say "in the next few months" at the Sentinel 6 briefing?  I'd have to look back at that.  I doubt this mission has a real date until NROL-44 gets off the ground.

Offline Jansen

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - December? 2020
« Reply #23 on: 11/28/2020 09:25 pm »
Didn't the colonel say "in the next few months" at the Sentinel 6 briefing?

https://spacenews.com/falcon-9-launch-ends-long-hiatus-in-vandenberg-launches/

Nov 22
Quote
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.
« Last Edit: 11/28/2020 09:31 pm by zubenelgenubi »

Offline Jansen

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - TBD 2021
« Reply #24 on: 12/04/2020 09:51 am »
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1334571023795163136

Quote
Yes.  Corrective actions at SLC37 are being preemptively applied to SLC6
« Last Edit: 12/04/2020 09:52 am by Jansen »

Offline Jansen

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - TBD 2021
« Reply #25 on: 12/11/2020 06:56 am »
https://www.ulalaunch.com/about/news/2020/12/11/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-nrol-44-mission-to-support-national-security
Quote
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.

Looks like a substantial delay. STP-3 is likely to launch NET February.
« Last Edit: 12/11/2020 07:30 am by Jansen »

Offline Jansen

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - TBD 2021
« Reply #26 on: 12/14/2020 06:07 pm »
https://www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2445614/ldpe-1-sv-safely-arrives-in-florida-for-february-launch/

STP-3 is slated to launch on February 26, 2021. Based on that, I estimate NROL-82 will be NET March 2021.

Offline Jansen

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - TBD 2021
« Reply #27 on: 12/28/2020 11:03 pm »
SFN [Dec 28] now stating Q2 2021
« Last Edit: 12/29/2020 08:11 pm by zubenelgenubi »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q2 2021
« Reply #28 on: 02/25/2021 05:06 pm »
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1364997271566225408

Quote
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

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q2 2021
« Reply #29 on: 02/27/2021 04:54 am »
More via cross-post:
https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/nrol-82-delta-iv-heavy-rocket-rolled-to-launch-pad
Quote
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.
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - end of April 2021
« Reply #30 on: 03/09/2021 08:38 pm »
Cross-post:
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1369311927013421062
Quote
Spaceflight Now @SpaceflightNow
United 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.

SFN, Delta 4-Heavy rocket erected on Vandenberg launch pad, dated March 8:
Quote
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.

Confirming Newton_V :) :
Quote
Including the NROL-82 mission, ULA has four Delta 4-Heavy flights scheduled through 2023 — two from Vandenberg and two from Cape Canaveral.
« Last Edit: 03/09/2021 08:53 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - end of April 2021
« Reply #31 on: 03/09/2021 10:52 pm »
Cross-post FYI re: Vandenberg Air Force Base will become Vandenberg Space Force Base:
Here : https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article249780313.html

Quote
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.

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.html

It'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.

Will this be the inaugural launch from VSFB?  From a Space Force public relations/public awareness viewpoint, it would be advantageous.
« Last Edit: 03/10/2021 05:07 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - end of April 2021
« Reply #32 on: 03/17/2021 01:01 pm »
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1372185728097136640

Quote
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

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - end of April 2021
« Reply #33 on: 03/17/2021 05:06 pm »
The WDR blog post included a second image; attached.
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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - NET 26 April 2021
« Reply #34 on: 03/26/2021 12:01 pm »
https://twitter.com/natreconofc/status/1375432483001544711

Quote
🚀 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

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - NET 26 April 2021
« Reply #35 on: 04/05/2021 06:06 pm »
https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1379131710609166337
Quote
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.

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« Last Edit: 04/06/2021 09:19 pm by PM3 »
"Never, never be afraid of the truth." -- Jim Bridenstine

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - NET 26 April 2021
« Reply #37 on: 04/06/2021 09:47 pm »
Launch track shows a SSO heading from the launch site. Similar heading to NROL-49 and NROL-65. I was initially thinking this was going to be going down a similar heading to NROL-71, but this proves that theory wrong.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/launch-booklets/nrol82_mobrochure.pdf
« Last Edit: 04/06/2021 09:51 pm by Josh_from_Canada »
Launches Seen: Atlas V OA-7, Falcon 9 Starlink 6-4, Falcon 9 CRS-28,

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - NET 26 April 2021
« Reply #38 on: 04/08/2021 02:30 pm »
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1380160977941958669

Quote
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
« Last Edit: 04/08/2021 02:31 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - NET 26 April 2021
« Reply #39 on: 04/12/2021 04:43 pm »
https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1381648189267271680
Quote
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
« Last Edit: 04/12/2021 04:43 pm by gongora »

Offline Mammutti

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R/S RocketShip: Road to Vandenberg

Navigating 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.

Offline catdlr

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This additional video (from another NRO Launch (NROL-71) would complete the great video above.

Tony De La Rosa, ...I'm no Feline Dealer!! I move mountains.  but I'm better known for "I think it's highly sexual." Japanese to English Translation.

Offline Newton_V

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This additional video (from another NRO Launch (NROL-71) would complete the great video above.
Love that video.  Good times...

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https://twitter.com/natreconofc/status/1384220218277253124

Quote
🚀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

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https://twitter.com/chrisg_nsf/status/1384216932824481798

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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. #DeltaIVHeavy

From Joseph Navin (@josephanavin) & myself⬇️

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/delta-iv-vandenberg-pad-work/

Offline Eric Hedman

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Re: Delta IV-H - NROL-82 - Vandenberg SLC-6 - Q4 2020
« Reply #45 on: 04/19/2021 11:40 pm »
Any history buffs know who this is?  (No internet cheating.  I was actually surprised how well facial recognition websites work)
Is this why there is a picture of a Corsair on ULA's website for this mission?  My dad's cousin  flew one in the South Pacific - just not in the same squadron.  They would sometimes outfit one with a reconnaissance pod on some missions.  And I did recognize the person in the photo.  Because of my dad's cousin's adventures I have dug up a bit about those times.

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I've been excited about spaceflight since Apollo 11, and have been an active participant (on and off) here on the NSF forums since 2007. But I've never seen an orbital rocket launch LIVE!

I'm well aware for any launch there are posts like this one that annoy people, but ... I really want to see this one. 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.

But I would gladly stop along the way to pick up an experienced "guide" who knows the good spots for VAFB launch viewing. There'll be plenty of space in the "Chevrolet Equinox or similar, make/model not guaranteed" for photographic gear, etc. If you know the places to drive to, no need to even chip in for gas....

Any takers? Private message replies are likely the best way to go. I'll volunteer to coordinate up to 4 respondents for a carpool....
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Offline Newton_V

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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.

Offline xcel102

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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.
I admire your determination ;D I wouldn't fly to see any launch other than Atlas V -- since it has the least chance of delay/scrub.

That said, I'll be driving from San Diego to see this one! I haven't seen a Delta IV launch, let alone Heavy. The last attempt (NROL-71) I was all the way to Oxnard/Ventura when they scrubbed. I've been to Vandenberg a few times but not sure about a good spot for Delta IV. Maybe we can rendezvous somewhere and head together, will PM you later.

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https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1385331207399825413

Quote
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).

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1385331946318749696

Quote
Forecast is unfortunately the same for 24 hours later.
« Last Edit: 04/22/2021 09:09 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline hoku

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Quote
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.....

Quote
Forecast is unfortunately the same for 24 hours later.

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).  8)

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Quote
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 clouds


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

Primary concern: Surface winds, Thick clouds


Hashtags

The hashtags for this launch are: #DeltaIVHeavy #NROL82


Launch Broadcast

Live broadcast coverage of launch will begin at 1:26 p.m. PDT on April 26.

Live launch updates and webcast available at: www.ulalaunch.com


ALL TIMES PACIFIC


MONDAY, APRIL 26

BARS + TONE – 12:56 P.M.

PROGRAM START – 1:25 P.M.


DIGITAL SATELLITE C-BAND DOWNLINK

HD FORMAT

SATELLITE — G3
TRANSPONDER — 7A
BAND — C-BAND DIGITAL
ORBITAL POSITION — 95°W
HD BANDWIDTH — 9 MHz

UPLINK — 6,051.5 MHz (Vertical)

DOWNLINK — 3,826.5 MHz (Horizontal)
SYMBOL RATE — 7.5
FEC — ¾
DVB-S2 – 8PSK
MPEG 4
AUDIO EMBEDDED


Webcast available at www.ulalaunch.com and www.youtube.com/unitedlaunchalliance
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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1385643561656274944

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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. #PartnersInSpace
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-82


Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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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).  8)

If only that were true! The maths is only correct if the weather on each of the 2 days is completely independent of the weather on the other day.

I guess given how changeable Vandenberg weather can be, that might be true ...

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Quote
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."

----------

Quote
The following is a news release from the ULA:

United Launch Alliance to Launch NROL-82 Mission to Support National Security
Delta IV Heavy heavy-lift performance required for mission

Vandenberg 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
Tony De La Rosa, ...I'm no Feline Dealer!! I move mountains.  but I'm better known for "I think it's highly sexual." Japanese to English Translation.

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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1385962240277467139

Quote
🚀✨ Wonder when you will see the #DeltaIVHeavy near you? Our visibility graphic shows when the rocket will rise into view during its #NROL82 mission ⬇️

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04/159 (A1565/21) - AIRSPACE DCC 2ROPS DO-2102 AREA B STNR ALT
RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 2257N12046W TO 2347N12518W TO
2627N12445W TO 2536N12008W TO POINT OF ORIGIN SFC-UNL. 26 APR 20:46 2021 UNTIL
26 APR 22:21 2021. CREATED: 23 APR 10:20 2021



EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS:
A. 2016Z TO 2257Z DAILY 26 THRU 28 APR
IN AREA BOUND BY
34-38N 120-40W, 34-36N 120-30W,
34-07N 120-39W, 34-08N 120-44W.
B. 2016Z TO 2257Z DAILY 26 THRU 28 APR
IN AREA BOUND BY
22-57N 120-46W, 23-47N 125-18W,
26-27N 124-45W, 25-36N 120-08W.
C. 2016Z TO 2257Z DAILY 26 THRU 28 APR
IN AREA BOUND BY
13-28S 121-20W, 10-47S 138-34W,
00-47S 136-41W, 03-52S 119-54W.
D. 2253Z TO 0029Z COMMENCING DAILY
26 THRU 29 APR IN AREA BOUND BY
63-14S 174-16W, 32-49S 159-58W,
33-23S 156-28W, 64-16S 168-07W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 300129Z APR 21.//
Authority: WESTERN RANGE 121647Z APR 21.
Date: 220446Z APR 21
Cancel: 30012900 Apr 21
« Last Edit: 04/24/2021 04:33 pm by input~2 »

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If this is a KH-11 going into a ‘traditional’ eastern plane orbit. It suggests USA 290 was not a KH-11.

Source: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2021/0069.html

Further to the above here is an estimated elset:

http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2021/0110.html

More on the links below:

http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2021/0121.html

https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2021/04/nrol-82-upcoming-new-kh-11-evolved.html?m=1
« Last Edit: 04/24/2021 04:32 pm by Star One »

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Photos from ULA

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https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1386484736701341697

Quote
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

https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1386530856680910856

Quote
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

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1386611832601780226

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Today’s the day.  #NROL82. Improved, but still pretty windy out there. Everyone continue to think calm, still thoughts...

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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1386647738901798912

Quote
#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.

Offline mrhuggy

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This is the ULA live blog that they are running on website.

https://v.24liveblog.com/iframe/?id=2737171997667847814

« Last Edit: 04/26/2021 12:26 pm by mrhuggy »

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Offline mrhuggy

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From ULA
Quote
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).

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1386669006996885506

Quote
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

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1386675840948318208

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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
« Last Edit: 04/26/2021 01:38 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline mrhuggy

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ULA has now done gimbal tests and is now starting to prepare for cryogenic loading.

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From ULA Live Blog
Quote
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.



« Last Edit: 04/26/2021 03:05 pm by mrhuggy »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1386711957710032898

Quote
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

Offline mrhuggy

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As per the ULA live blog.

The CBC's are at 20% of Hydrogen loading.

The liquid oxygen chilldown is complete for the booster cores, allowing 120,000 gallons of super-cold LOX to begin transferring into the rocket for today's launch under the control of LOX1 console operator. The liquid oxygen is chilled to Minus-298 degrees F.

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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1386735111333314563

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Booster tanking underway and nominal.  The board is green. The team is not working any issues at this time. #NROL82

Offline meekGee

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The guy is actually called Max Rush?  And they let him next to the launch team?
ABCD - Always Be Counting Down

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twitter.com/galxtech/status/1386737750368456706

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hey tory, is the weather optimistic for the launch?

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1386748168197472259

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Iffy. Still pretty windy

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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1386753492182786052

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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

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Apr 26 19:00
1 min adjustment of liftoff due to a Collision Avoidance (COLA) closure, now at 20:47 UTC

https://www.24live.co/live/UMdPK?n=2773514423206537373
---
Apr 26 19:06
" ... final built-in hold at T-minus 4 minutes will be extended by one minute to 31 minutes in total duration today."
---
Apr 26 19:22
The launch team is setting up for flight slews, the next major milestone in the countdown. This is the steering test patterns for the Delta IV Heavy's engine nozzles to ensure proper gimbaling during the ascent.
---
Apr 26 19:47
We are exactly one hour away from liftoff time of the Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a national security payload designed, built and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office.
The rocket is fueled and its 8 cryogenic tanks are being conditioned for launch.
---
Apr 26 20:02
.. the countdown is proceeding toward a liftoff of Delta IV Heavy at 1:47 p.m. PDT (4:47 p.m. EDT; 2047 UTC). We continue to have a green board with no issues being worked. The launch webcast begins at L-20 minutes.
---
Apr 26 20:05
The Automatic Determination and Dissemination of Just Updated Steering Terms, better known as the ADDJUST file, is being loaded into the Delta IV Heavy rocket's Inertial Navigation and Control Assembly (INCA) flight computer by the flight control operator here at the Launch Control Center. This is the planned steering parameters for the INCA to use based on today's upper level wind conditions.
A series of weather balloons has been launched throughout the countdown from the Range weather station at Cape Canaveral to collect measurements of wind speeds and directions to determine if conditions aloft violate the controllability or structural loads on the rocket during ascent. The balloon data was transmitted to ULA engineers in Denver to select a steering profile that minimizes launch vehicle responses.
---
Apr 26 20:12
Countdown Holding
This is Delta Launch Control at T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the 31-minute built-in hold designed to give a bit of margin to deal with any problems. Also during this time, the final readiness polls of the launch team and members of the Mission Management Team will be performed.
We continue to target a liftoff at 1:47 p.m. PDT (4:47 p.m. EDT; 2047 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
---
Apr 26 20:17
We are 30 minutes away for liftoff time for the Delta IV Heavy rocket and NROL-82 for the National Reconnaissance Office. Standing by for the final weather briefing. No technical issues are being worked.
« Last Edit: 04/26/2021 08:18 pm by hoku »

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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1386774088161521665

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8.5 min to the planned hold. The board is green. The net is quiet

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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1386776819005804550

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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

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Offline RocketLover0119

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5 minutes
"The Starship has landed"

Offline RocketLover0119

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90 seconds.
"The Starship has landed"

Offline RocketLover0119

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LIFTOFF!
"The Starship has landed"

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https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1386784286611845126

Quote
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…
« Last Edit: 04/26/2021 08:49 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline RocketLover0119

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Everything nominal so far.
"The Starship has landed"

Offline RocketLover0119

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Good booster sep
« Last Edit: 04/26/2021 08:54 pm by RocketLover0119 »
"The Starship has landed"

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Offline RocketLover0119

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Center core sep and stage 2 ignition.
"The Starship has landed"

Offline William Graham

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The mission has gone into the usual news blackout for NRO missions post fairing separation, but spacecraft separation is likely happening around about now.


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.

https://twitter.com/Jrcraft__/status/1386787343441432582
Onboard video of fairing separation from the livestream (Visible at 22:57).
« Last Edit: 04/26/2021 09:27 pm by Jrcraft »
AE/ME
6 Suborbital spaceflight payloads. 14.55 minutes of in-space time.

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https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1386793966742343684

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Liftoff of Delta IV Heavy and NROL-82 from Vandenberg AFB in California! Now we hope our remote cameras worked. @nasaspaceflight

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Onboard video of fairing separation from the livestream (Visible at 22:57).
How very perceptive of you.
Here's the source location:

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Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

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https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-82

Last Updated: Apr 26 19:48

" Mission Success!

United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket has successfully launched NROL-82 for the National Reconnaissance Office and United States Space Force. Success #143 for ULA! Thank you to our customers for the trust they place in us!"
« Last Edit: 04/27/2021 01:58 am by Targeteer »
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

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http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2021/0139.html

 From: C. Bassa via Seesat-l <seesat-l_at_satobs.org>
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2021 01:55:27 +0200

Observations of the NROL-82 payload during excellent conditions
(despite the full Moon). The satellite was about 3 mins late and 5 deg
off track from my 78702 TLE determined from radio observations.
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Targeteer

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Facebook

National Reconnaissance Office 3h  ·

To recap, our #NROL82 mission launched today at 1:47 p.m. PDT / 4:47 p.m. EDT on a Delta IV Heavy from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. NROL-82 is our 31st launch in partnership with United Launch Alliance (ULA) and our first launch in 2021, following six launches and 12 payloads delivered to orbit in 2020.
Today the Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations General Jay Raymond joined the National Reconnaissance Office Director Dr. Christopher Scolese for the successful launch. DNI Haines commended the launch teams:
“On behalf of ODNI and the entire Intelligence Community, congratulations to the National Reconnaissance Office and the agency’s mission partners on the successful NROL-82 launch,” said DNI Haines. “Today’s liftoff demonstrates the often unseen work from men and women in the IC who are dedicated to advancing our nation’s security—including to heights ‘above and beyond’ Earth. I am so honored to serve alongside extraordinary professionals and enjoyed watching their innovation, collaboration, and impact take to the skies.”
Since 1961, the NRO has pushed the envelope of U.S. space-based intelligence collection with courage and ingenuity. NROL-82 will strengthen NRO’s ability to provide a wide-range of timely intelligence information to national decision-makers, warfighters, and intelligence analysts to protect the nation’s vital interests and support humanitarian efforts worldwide.
“We are delighted DNI Haines and General Raymond were able to join us for today’s successful launch,” said Dr. Scolese. “Space is an increasingly contested domain as our adversaries become more threatening and capable. To meet this challenge, we are expanding our commercial partnerships, adapting processes to innovate faster, and incorporating resilience from our assets on the ground to our systems on orbit. This launch is another important milestone as we rise to meet the challenges of today and the future.”
Congratulations to the entire NRO launch team and our partners at United Launch Alliance, 30th Space Wing, and the Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center who helped make #NROL82 a success! United Launch Alliance
 Vandenberg Air Force Base
 Los Angeles Air Force Base, Home of Space and Missile Systems Center
« Last Edit: 04/27/2021 03:21 am by Targeteer »
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

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twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1386862257884123137

Quote
Remote camera shots of Delta IV Heavy lifting the classified NROL-82 payload into orbit. @NASASpaceflight

https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1386863291868213255

Quote
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.

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Not as fancy (I need a new zoom lens)


Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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ULA launch photos

Offline AirmanPika

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Oh and the day before launch sorry.


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Northrop Grumman Contributes to Successful National Security Launch

The company’s multiple technologies support United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket launch

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – April 27, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) supported yesterday's successful launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV heavy rocket. The rocket launched a national security payload, designated NROL-82, for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in support of a national defense mission.

Integrated Northrop Grumman launch vehicle products support the successful launch of a ULA Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a critical NRO payload on April 26, 2021 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

“The successful launch of this Delta IV rocket demonstrates the reliability of our large composite aerospace structures,” said Wendy Williams, vice president, aerospace structures, Northrop Grumman. “We play a vital role with the NRO and ULA, as we have for decades, by providing key launch vehicle structures and propulsion and control subsystems in support of national security missions.”

The largest of the Delta IV family, and the largest rocket in the U.S. fleet, the heavy version features three common booster cores mounted together to form a triple-body rocket.

Northrop Grumman’s contributions to the ULA Delta IV heavy rocket include 11 key large composite structures including three thermal shields that house and protect the engines during flight; three centerbody structures that connect the liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks; the payload fairing that provides protection to the payload; the composite interstage on the center common booster core; the nose cones on the two strap-on boosters and one set of X-panel structures that connect the upper stage LOX tank with the upper stage hydrogen tank. The large-scale composite structures measure four to five meters in diameter and range from one to 15 meters in length. Northrop Grumman produced them all using advanced hand layup, machining and inspection techniques at the company’s manufacturing facility in Iuka, Mississippi.

Other Northrop Grumman products integrated on the ULA Delta IV heavy launch vehicle include four booster separation rocket motors for the launch vehicle manufactured at Northrop Grumman’s Rocket City, West Virginia facility. The motors ignite when the two side-mounted common core stage burns are complete to assist booster separation from the center core.

Northrop Grumman also designed and produced the nozzles for the three Aerojet-Rocketdyne RS-68 engines, as well as the nozzles’ innovative thermal protection material, which is capable of shielding them from the extreme heat of launch when external temperatures can exceed 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Northrop Grumman manufactured the nozzle at its Promontory, Utah facility.

Additionally, the company manufactured the propellant tank for the Delta IV upper stage roll control system at its Commerce, California facility.
Jacques :-)

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Archived You Tube video of the launch:


Offline Star One

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Quote
> 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 appears
that the NROL-82 payload (USA 314) has been placed in virtually the same orbital
plane as USA 224 (which it is likely intended to replace).

RAAN differs by ~1 degree, inclination by ~0.1 degree

The orbital altitude is (for now) somewhat different, but it might manoeuvre to
make 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

http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2021/0149.html

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Quote
The following orbital elements are based on the observations obtained
over the 2nd and 3rd orbit of NROL-82.

NROL-82                                                  522 x 761 km
1 99596U          21117.05771367  .00000000  00000-0  50000-4 0    08
2 99596  98.0546 230.2670 0169852  86.6649 330.9798 14.76209142    07
# 20210426.99-20210427.06, 18 measurements, 0.008 deg rms

The orbit is less eccentric compared to typical KH-11 missions, which
usually have 260 x 1000 km orbits. However, the mean motion is close
to that of those missions. For example, both USA 224 [37348/11002A]
and USA 245 [39232/13043A] have a mean motion near 14.81 revolutions
per day.

Interestingly, the orbital plane of the NROL-82 payload is almost
co-planar with that of USA 224, and furthermore, both satellites are
in the same orbital phase. Both objects passed the ascending node at
10:53:40UTC today only 7 seconds apart! Over the course of the first
two days after launch, the distance between USA 224 and NROL-82 varies
from 3000km to 100 km!

Though there are still some uncertainties about the precise parameters
of the NROL-82 orbit, it certainly appears that USA 224 is, and has
been, in a position to monitor NROL-82 during the early checkout phase
after launch.

Regards,
    Cees

http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2021/0150.html

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https://twitter.com/coastal8049/status/1386914863755141123
Quote
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.

https://twitter.com/coastal8049/status/1386956326463442949
Quote
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.

https://twitter.com/coastal8049/status/1386956328636096515
Quote
1 99597U          21116.98994022  .00000000  00000-0  50000-4 0    05
2 99597  98.0230 230.2275 0166298  84.7632 333.2358 14.75907831    08
# 20210427.33-20210427.33, 91 measurements, 0.074 kHz rms

https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1386993691613487106
Quote
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.
« Last Edit: 04/27/2021 08:09 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Apr 26 19:00
1 min adjustment of liftoff due to a Collision Avoidance (COLA) closure, now at 20:47 UTC

Was this the reason for the COLA?--a short-notice refinement of the NROL 82 initial orbit with respect to USA 224?
https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1386993691613487106
Quote
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.
« Last Edit: 04/27/2021 08:12 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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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.
I'm so glad this was not a drama-llama launch!
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline Targeteer

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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.
I'm so glad this was not a drama-llama launch!

The challenge of launching what amounts to 3 separate rockets simultaneously is not to be underestimated...
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Lars-J

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Watching the live stream, I found it interesting that the launch did so many pre-planned roll maneuvers. Shortly before booster staging, it rolled 90 degrees pretty rapidly. Then after booster separation, it rolled back 90 degrees. Then it had a pretty quick attitude change before stage separation.

I assume this is normal, but I had not noticed it on earlier Delta IV-H launches. Or is it due to special requirements at VAFB?

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.

Unsure how much it'll help with a single Delta IV Heavy launch left, but yesterday San Miguelito Road was closed for access just outside of Lompoc city limits.
Linear Hairospike on TMRO

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Was this the reason for the COLA?
Quote
No, but it started with the letter "S".  lol  (other stuff too)

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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?
« Last Edit: 04/28/2021 09:48 am by Star One »

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https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1387327178136821764

Quote
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.

https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1387327182666706945

Quote
2/2
Here is a photographic image of the same pass:
« Last Edit: 04/28/2021 09:53 am by Star One »

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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?

How else is it going to communicate with tracking stations?

Offline Star One

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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?

How else is it going to communicate with tracking stations?
Shouldn’t it have some alternative system not accessible to everyone?

Offline LouScheffer

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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?
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.
« Last Edit: 04/28/2021 04:50 pm by LouScheffer »

Offline Jim

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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.

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. 


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.

No, it will always use the AFSCN for vehicle tracking and health.  That is why the Thule station still exists.  Mission data is a separate issue.

  Later they will enable stealth communications and move it into its operational orbit.

It is basically the  operational orbit


« Last Edit: 04/28/2021 06:36 pm by Jim »

Offline LouScheffer

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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.
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. 
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.

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Later they will enable stealth communications and move it into its operational orbit.
It is basically the  operational orbit
It is my understanding that they vary the orbit at least somewhat, to prevent enemies from simply planning their events when the satellite is not overhead (or at least keep them from doing so days or weeks in advance).   I have also heard (but cannot confirm) that they can place the perigee of the orbit over particularly interesting places, to get the best possible imaging.

Offline Jim

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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.


The point was data rate also. 


Offline Jim

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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?

How else is it going to communicate with tracking stations?
Shouldn’t it have some alternative system not accessible to everyone?

The data is encrypted.   The amateur observers just "see" the beacon.   It will go silent once it is checked out and operational. 

Offline LouScheffer

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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.
The point was data rate also. 
This too is backwards - optimum data rate is obtained by spreading the signal evenly over the whole available bandwidth.  See any communication theory textbook, or a simple proof here.

Basically, the only advantage of a narrow band signal is ease of acquisition.  For anything else, data transfer or ranging, a wide band signal is better.  This is well illustrated by commercial TV signals.  Original analog TV has a strong carrier to make it easy on the receiver.  Modern digital TV uses more efficient wide-band methods.  This trend worries many of the SETI searches - as civilizations improve their coding, their signals look more and more like noise unless you know exactly what you are looking for.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1388838600121495556

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Another bullseye.  Might need to start using smaller dots...

Offline Mammutti

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Offline eeergo

Rewatching the rocketcam video (thanks for the link!) my eye fell on something that was probably there in DIV-H flights all along, but that I hadn't noticed before: when the CCBs separate, there's a couple of (solid?) motors on each booster's nosecone that help push away the top of the stage. It looks like they're designed to also directly impinge on the support crossbeams, presumably helping in "pushing them outward" to avoid inadvertent recontact or scraping of the center core. Just thought it was a neat way of repurposing the exhaust for a double role, if this was indeed the case.
-DaviD-

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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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.

Offline russianhalo117

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VSFB Video:


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