Another Atlas V 541 variant. Might be AV-072Quite a few launches from Vandy this year, not just Atlas & Delta
Interesting. Is the SBIRS HEO4 sensor part of the NROL-42 payload for this launch? I had no idea. Oops
Quote from: vapour_nudge on 03/03/2017 01:42 pmInteresting. Is the SBIRS HEO4 sensor part of the NROL-42 payload for this launch? I had no idea. OopsI don't know, but it has been speculated that the payload is TRUMPET F/O-2 2 with SBIRS-HEO 4. I don't remember where I got that speculation from.
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 07/25/2017 10:03 pmOr will the NROL-42 launch be delayed?L-42 is in September now.
Or will the NROL-42 launch be delayed?
At a first glance these doesn't seem to be giving too much away. The four stars on the right of the "ultimate answer" patch loosely resemble a pattern we've seen on the fairing patches for the last three "Improved Trumpet" satellites.
Delayed to September 11, as per the July 26 update onhttps://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
(Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Sept. 15, 2017) - The ULA Atlas V carrying the NROL-42 mission in support of national security is scheduled for Sept. 21 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The ULA team is on track with launch processing to support this date.
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 09/15/2017 09:10 pm(Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Sept. 15, 2017) - The ULA Atlas V carrying the NROL-42 mission in support of national security is scheduled for Sept. 21 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The ULA team is on track with launch processing to support this date.Any idea of the launch window, given the information from the previously scheduled, then delayed launch dates?
Liftoff of Atlas 5 rocket performing the #NROL42 deployment mission is targeted for 10:38 p.m. local time Sept. 21 at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
Is that the shortest available fairing?
ULA's Atlas V launch of NROL-42 from VAFB still on track for 10:38 pm Pacific Time Sept 21, though weather is only 40% favorable.
Assuming a planar launch window, in the event of a launch delay, the time of launch will move earlier by 4 to 5 min. per day.
L-2 Day Forecast – 19 Sep 2017:T-0 Forecast: A deep trough will move over the range on Thursday throughout the count, with the center of the trough passing over SLC-03 by T-0. This lower pressure will begin to mix out the marine layer and cause stronger surface winds. Throughout the count, the remnants of the marine layer will cause a slight reduction in visibility with patchy fog. Additionally, low stratus and stratocumulus will be present by T-0. Winds will be out of the northwest between 12 – 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots at the surface. Temperatures will be between 55F and 60F at T-0. Max upper level winds will be out of the west at 95 knots from 39,000 to 40,000 feet. The current space weather index is at standard background levels. Overall POV is 40% with Launch Visibility and Ground Winds being the constraints of concern.
#NROL42 Mission Patch depicts a grizzly bear in motion, representing the unceasing motion of a satellite along its orbital path.
In case you were wondering:Quote#NROL42 Mission Patch depicts a grizzly bear in motion, representing the unceasing motion of a satellite along its orbital path.https://twitter.com/natreconofc/status/910576611379994625
L-1 Day Forecast – 20 Sep 2017:T-0 Forecast: A deep trough will move over the range on Thursday throughout the count, with the center of the trough passing over SLC-03 by T-0. This lower pressure will begin to mix out the marine layer and cause strong surface winds. Throughout the count, the remnants of the marine layer will cause a slight reduction in visibility with patchy fog. Additionally, low stratus and stratocumulus will be present by T-0. Winds will be out of the northwest between 15 – 18 knots with gusts to 25 knots at the surface. Temperatures will be between 55F and 60F at T-0. Max upper level winds will be out of the west at 100 knots from 37,000 to 38,000 feet. The current space weather index is at standard background levels. Overall POV is 40% with Launch Visibility and Ground Winds being the constraints of concern.
The #AtlasV stands 196 feet tall or about 20 stories and weighs more than 1 million pounds fully fueled. #NROL42
I have not seen it in this thread, but what is the target orbit of this sat? Launching on a Atlas V 541 with the short fairing option would indicate a high density (unlikely) of the sat or a high energy orbit. A GTO orbit doesnt make much sense from VAFB on a Atlas V 541. So is it going into a Tundra orbit with 24 hours period or a Molniya orbit? Is an inclination of 63.4 degrees reachable from VAFB? I am a bit confused to be honest.
Anyone know what the duration of the window is tonight?
Mission success! ULA's #AtlasV rocket successfully launches #NROL42 for the @NatReconOfc bit.ly/nrol52_launch
United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-42 Mission for the National Reconnaissance OfficeVandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., (Sept. 24, 2017) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office lifted off from Space Launch Complex-3 on Sept. 23, at 10:49:47 p.m. PDT. Designated NROL-42, the mission is in support of national security.“Congratulations to the entire team for overcoming multiple challenges throughout this launch campaign. From Hurricane Irma schedule impacts to replacing to a first stage battery this week – the team maintained a clear focus on mission success,” said Laura Maginnis, ULA vice president of Government Satellite Launch. “NROL-42 marks the 25th ULA-launched NRO mission, building upon our legacy of partnership with the NRO in providing reliable access to space for our nation’s most critical missions.”This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 541 configuration vehicle, which includes a 5-meter payload fairing (PLF) and four solid rocket boosters. The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine, and the Centaur upper stage was powered by the Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engine.This is ULA’s sixth launch in 2017 and the 121st successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.ULA's next launch is the NROL-52 for the National Reconnaissance Office. The launch is scheduled for Oct. 5 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.The EELV program was established by the U.S. Air Force to provide assured access to space for Department of Defense and other government payloads. The commercially developed EELV program supports the full range of government mission requirements, while delivering on schedule and providing significant cost savings over the legacy launch systems.With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 120 satellites to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field and enable personal device-based 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.
121
ULA photos:
Any more information about the hold? I couldn't make it out clearly, but the call I heard at T-2:46 (or 18:13 into the broadcast) sounded like, "LC this is STOPS(?) OD. Hold, hold. hold. I say again. LC this is OPS(?) OD. Hold, hold, hold. We lost commanding."The feature article doesn't currently mention the hold.~Kirk
Early in the launch, I heard Marty Malinowski, but later in the launch, up until PLF jettison, I heard Rob Gagnon. I'm kinda curious as to what is going on.
My quick research says #AtlasV passed the Soyuz-U2 this morning with 73 launches without a single failure. Congrats @torybruno & @ulalaunch!
Rollout photos published by ULA
“U.S. signals intelligence satellites have demonstrated long service lives. Recent observations by my colleagues Peter Wakelin and Brad Young reveal that all six previously launched Trumpets continue to maintain operational orbits. They consist of the first generation satellites launched in 1994, 1995 and 1997, and the follow-on satellites launched in 2006, 2008 and 2014,” said respected satellite observer Ted Molczan.“Whether NROL-42 is intended to grow the fleet, or replace one of the older members remains to be seen.”
USA 278, 2017-056A, 42941 launched by #NROL42 Doppler curve summary 6 days after launch.
SMC plans to purchase two additional EPS EHF XDR payloads to prevent a MILSATCOMmission gap in the Polar region. SMC is pursuing a near-term hosted payloadoption to be launched in Calendar Year (CY) 2022 to satisfy EPS missionrequirements...Global protected SATCOM will be provided in the near-term by two complementary space systems. The Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system currently provides protected SATCOM services for both tactical and strategic users inmid-latitude regions (65°S to 65°N). The EPS will soon provide protected SATCOMfor a small number of tactical users in the North Polar Region (65°N to 90°N).ngBoth AEHF and EPS provide protected SATCOM employing XDR payloads utilizing theEHF band.EPS payloads are currently hosted on another organization's space vehicle. EPS-1is currently on orbit and EPS-2 will be available for testing in late CY17. TheEPS ground segments includes a payload control and mission planning elementlocated at Schriever AFB and a Northern Tier SATCOM Gateway located at Clear AFS,which provides DoD Information Network (DoDIN) connectivity via the Camp RobertsTeleport.
