Atlas V 421 - SBIRS-GEO 6 - Canaveral SLC-41 - 4 August 2022 (10:29 UTC)

[Targeteer]

https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2793014/sbirs-geo-6-space-vehicle-completes-production

SBIRS GEO-6 Space Vehicle completes production


LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Production Corps achieved a major milestone with the completion of the final Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite, SBIRS Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)-6 on Sept. 2 at Lockheed Martin’s Sunnyvale, California production facility. SBIRS GEO-6 will begin final preparations for a scheduled launch in the first half of 2022 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 421 (four-meter payload fairing, two strap-on solid rocket motors, and one upper stage engine) launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

“This is a monumental achievement by the women and men of the SBIRS Program, past and present, who were able to complete production ahead of schedule and deliver on warfighter commitments we made nearly a decade ago,” said Col. Matt Spencer, the GEO/Polar Division Senior Materiel Leader in SSC’s Production Corps. “The additional capability this committed government and contractor team has been able to deliver with SBIRS GEO-6 is nothing short of remarkable given the entire integration and test campaign was done under the COVID-19 pandemic.”

SBIRS is a high-priority U.S. Space Force program that provides worldwide Missile Warning, Missile Defense, Battlespace Awareness, and Technical Intelligence capabilities for the U.S. military and consists of a constellation of satellites in both GEO and Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO). The newest SBIRS satellites, GEO-5 and GEO-6, are based upon Lockheed Martin Space’s modernized LM 2100 spacecraft – an update that improves overall system production, affordability, and resiliency to provide overhead persistent infrared capabilities to U.S. warfighters and allies.

“The SBIRS program is an invaluable part of our early missile warning system,” said Mr. Cordell A. DeLaPena, Jr., U.S. Space Force Program Executive Officer for Space Production. “With the completion of SBIRS GEO-6 our Missile Warning enterprise grows stronger and will be better able to support the warfighter once it is safely launched and integrated into the already existing infrastructure.”

SSC, headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California, is a U.S. Space Force field command responsible for developing and acquiring lethal and resilient space capabilities for warfighters by rapidly identifying, prototyping, fielding and sustaining innovative, space-based solutions to meet the demands of the National Defense Strategy. SSC’s functions include developmental testing, production, launch, on-orbit checkout, and maintenance of USSF space systems, as well as and oversight of USSF science and technology activities.
[dated Sept 29]

[Steven Pietrobon]

The press release says SBIRS GEO-6 is launching in the first half of 2022, while the thread title says August 2022. I'm confused!

[zubenelgenubi]

The press release says SBIRS GEO-6 is launching in the first half of 2022, while the thread title says August 2022. I'm confused!

Launch is currently scheduled for H1 2022.  I edited the thread title.

Cross-posts; my bold.

Source for launch NET August 2022:

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, California, has been awarded a $45,999,901 fixed-price incentive (firm target) and cost-plus-fixed fee modification (P00010) to previously awarded contract FA8810-13-C-0001 for production of the fifth and sixth Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous missile-warning satellites. Contractor will provide integration of an additional subsystem and propulsion modifications. Work will be performed at Sunnyvale, California, and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2022. Fiscal 2017 space procurement funds in the amount of $12,190,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.

FY 2022 launch = October 2021 through September 2022; assumption that Atlas V 411 would be used follows its use launching SBIRS-GEO 3:

http://spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=53706

Air Force awards $739 million launch service contracts
Press Release From: Los Angeles Air Force Base
Posted: Tuesday, February 19, 2019

The United States Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), awarded two Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) launch service contracts today.

 Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) has been awarded a $297 million firm-fixed-price contract, for launch services to deliver AFSPC-44, NROL-85, and NROL-87 to the intended orbit. United Launch Alliance (ULA) has been awarded a $441.76 million firm-fixed-price contract, for launch services to deliver SBIRS GEO-5, SBIRS GEO-6, and SILENTBARKER to the intended orbit.

 Both contracts provide the U.S. Government with a total launch solution for these missions, which includes launch vehicle production, mission integration, launch operations, and spaceflight certification. 

“The competitive award of these EELV launch service contracts directly supports SMC’s mission of delivering resilient and affordable space capabilities to our Nation while maintaining assured access to space” said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, SMC Commander, and Program Executive Officer for Space. “Phase 1A continues to enable the space enterprise to respond to the rapidly evolving operating environment.” 

This is the sixth competition under the current Phase 1A procurement strategy. These launch service contract awards strike a balance between meeting operational needs and lowering launch costs through reintroducing competition for National Security Space missions.

§  NROL-85 will launch in FY2021 from the Eastern Range.
§  NROL-87 will launch in FY2021 from the Western Range
§  SILENTBARKER will launch in FY2022 from the Eastern Range
§  SBIRS GEO-5 will launch in FY2021 from the Eastern Range
§  SBIRS GEO-6 is an option on the ULA contract with a possible launch in FY2022 from the Eastern Range
§  AFSPC-44 will launch in FY2021 from the Eastern Range

The Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California, is Air Force Space Command's center of excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes the Global Positioning System, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space-based infrared systems, and space situational awareness capabilities.

Change to Atlas V 421:

According to this article back in March [7,] 2019, both SBIRS GEO 5 and 6 will use an Atlas V 421.

ULA will use Atlas 5 rockets with four-meter-diameter payload fairings and two solid rocket boosters — configuration known as the Atlas 5-421 — on each of the SBIRS missions.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/03/07/spacex-ula-win-military-contracts-air-force-renames-eelv-program/

Source for NLT September 2021 = launch in the months that are both in FY 2022 and CY 2022 (chronological year) = January through September 2021:

https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/sbirs-geo-flight-5-rocketship-delivers-atlas-v-for-space-force-launch  [dated April 1, 2021]

Atlas V is the exclusive launch vehicle of choice for the SBIRS GEO spacecraft series. The rocket successfully launched the first in 2011, second in 2013, third in 2017 and fourth in 2018. Atlas V is also slated to launch SBIRS GEO-6 in 2022.
The SBIRS GEO Flight 5 launch will use an Atlas V 421 variant, with a four-meter-diameter (13.7-foot) payload fairing, two AJ-60 solid rocket boosters and a Centaur equipped with a single RL10C-1-1 cryogenic engine.

[Targeteer]

I used data from the US Launch schedule thread when I created this thread. 

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post; my bold:

There is circumstantial evidence that SILENTBARKER is not launching in March 2022, or in the months immediately following.

December 14 update, SFN Launch Schedule, does not list this launch.  It does list a launch date or launch month for USSF-8, GOES-T, USSF-12, and Starliner OFT-2. That occupies SLC-41 through May, plus whatever Vulcan testing that may also be scheduled.

(Also, that would make the launch of SBIRS GEO-6 in H1 2022 be NET June 2022.)

I have edited the thread title launch time to TBD.

[zubenelgenubi]

Atlas V and Vulcan Eastern Range [SLC-41]:
March 1                         GOES-T
April                               WFOV
May 20                          OFT-2
H1 (NET late June)     SBIRS GEO-6

[sts9]

RocketShip: Latest run from factory supports three launches

February 25, 2022

A Delta IV Heavy booster, an Atlas first stage and a Centaur upper stage were among the items delivered by RocketShip. Photo by United Launch Alliance

Hardware for three important missions to the nation arrived at Cape Canaveral this week from the United Launch Alliance (ULA) rocket factory aboard the R/S RocketShip for upcoming Atlas V and Delta IV Heavy launches.

The ship departed the dock in Decatur, Alabama, on Feb. 14 for the week-long transit to the launch site. Arrival at the Port Canaveral wharf occurred on Feb. 23 and offloading was completed by Feb. 24.

This voyage of RocketShip delivered the Atlas V first stage and Centaur upper stage designated to launch the sixth Space Base Infrared Systems (SBIRS) GEO missile warning satellite for the U.S. Space Force, the Launch Vehicle Adapter (LVA) for the Atlas V launch of the Crew Flight Test (CFT) of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner to the International Space Station, and the starboard common booster core (CBC-S) and Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) for a Delta IV Heavy launch in service to the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

All of the flight hardware was transported within the payload bay of the uniquely configured roll-on/roll-off cargo ship. The elements were safely moved to ULA facilities on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for pre-flight processing.

The Atlas V rocket for SBIRS GEO-6, known as AV-097, will deliver the Lockheed Martin-built satellite into a customized geosynchronous transfer orbit later this year for Space Systems Command. Atlas V has successfully launched all previous SBIRS GEO spacecraft for the missile detection and warning system, and this upcoming launch will complete the current generation of satellites in the global, overhead surveillance constellation.

The LVA for the CFT mission serves as the interface to connect the Centaur upper stage with the Starliner spacecraft during launch. Both stages of the rocket were delivered to the launch site last year. CFT will be the first Starliner launch to carry astronauts to the space station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

The Delta IV Heavy stages are part of a future launch for U.S. national security. The rocket will feature three CBCs and the upper stage to deploy a payload designed, built, and operated by the NRO.

The R/S RocketShip has been ferrying Delta IV stages to the Florida and California launch sites for more than 20 years. It also began transporting Atlas V rockets in 2011. The vessel carried its first Vulcan Centaur flight hardware, the Pathfinder Tanking Test (PTT) booster, last year.

https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/rocketship-latest-run-from-factory-supports-three-launches

-------

Tail Number for this mission: AV-097

[zubenelgenubi]

Atlas V Eastern Range [SLC-41]:
May 20                          OFT-2
H1 (NET late June)     SBIRS GEO-6

The USSF-12/WFOV launch has been delayed TBD.  I have seen no further news about SBIRS GEO-6.

[zubenelgenubi]

SFN Launch Schedule update, March 25 (one of many):
SBIRS-GEO 6 launches on June 18, 2022 from Cape Canaveral SFS SLC-41.

Atlas V Eastern Range [SLC-41]:
May 20                          OFT-2
June 18                         SBIRS GEO-6
<H2 July launch opportunity for USSF-12/WFOV?>
August                          SES-20 & 21

[zubenelgenubi]

SBIRS GEO-6 launch is apparently delayed.  SLC-41 launches appear to have approximately a month minimum between launches.

[USSF-12 launch is] June 29th.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-ussf-12

SILENTBARKER launch is in July; SES-20 and 21 launch is in August.

[Josh_from_Canada]

The satellite was recently delivered to the Cape

https://twitter.com/SLDelta45/status/1534986867061538830

[zubenelgenubi]

SFN Launch Schedule, updated June 14: Launch July 31.

[Josh_from_Canada]

ULA photo album for this mission on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalaunch/albums/72177720299801250

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

http://milsatmagazine.com/story.php?number=1825099460

SSC Assured Access to Space
Mission Manifest Office Helps
Satellites Find Their Ride into
Orbit Faster.

Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Assured Access to Space (AATS) Mission Manifest Office (MMO) is providing satellite vehicles affordable rides to orbit by maximizing multi-manifest (think rideshare) opportunities while ensuring security, safety and mission success.
<snip>
...said Capt. Carmen J. Riazzi, one of the MMO program managers who worked on two coming missions — EZIO on SBIRS GEO-6 and BLAZE, flying on the USSF 62.

[zubenelgenubi]

Early August?  Or just "August?"

https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-sbirs-geo-6

Atlas V to Launch SBIRS GEO 6

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 421 rocket will launch the sixth and final Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO 6) spacecraft for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC)..

Launch Date: August 2022

Go Atlas! Go Centaur! Go SBIRS!

Atlas V Eastern Range [SLC-41]:
early? August       SBIRS GEO-6
Sept 15 to Oct 7  SES-20 & 21

[Fmedici]

From the ULA mission page, EZIO is a dual payload:

Similar to previous SSC missions, this launch includes two rideshare payloads, EZIO-5 and -6, that will be deployed from the Centaur’s aft bulkhead following the second main engine cutoff or MECO-2.

[Rondaz]

Welcome to Cape Canaveral and the start of another #AtlasV launch campaign! Follow along today as we begin stacking the rocket to launch the #SBIRSGEO6 missile warning satellite for one of the U.S. @SpaceForceDOD's highest priority programs in August.

https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1546860702396289026

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1546878526141485058

An #AtlasV 421 with two side-mounted boosters will perform this U.S. national security launch for @USSF_SSC. The rocket is launching the sixth and final Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (#SBIRSGEO6) spacecraft. bit.ly/av_sbirsgeo6

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1546899901220528134

Upcoming in #AtlasV stacking work, a pair of #GEM63 solid rocket boosters and the Centaur upper stage featuring an RL10C-1-1 engine will be hoisted into place, followed by #SBIRSGEO6 payload attachment. Liftoff in August will be ULA's 152nd mission. bit.ly/av_sbirsgeo6

[Steven Pietrobon]

Upcoming in #AtlasV stacking work, a pair of #GEM63 solid rocket boosters and the Centaur upper stage featuring an RL10C-1-1 engine will be hoisted into place, followed by #SBIRSGEO6 payload attachment.

That's the engine that previously had the nozzle skirt vibration problem on 18 May 2021 carrying SBIRS-GEO 5. I believe this is the return to flight for this engine.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/06/10/ula-delays-atlas-5-launch-to-study-unexpected-engine-vibrations/