Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas V 401 - SBIRS-GEO 3 - Canaveral SLC-41 - January 20, 2017 (Read 104495 times)

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #40 on:** 01/11/2017 07:15 pm »

Quote from: Jim on 01/11/2017 12:16 am

Guess which facility?

Astrotech/Titusville?

Jim · « **Reply #41 on:** 01/11/2017 08:06 pm »

Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/11/2017 07:15 pm

Quote from: Jim on 01/11/2017 12:16 am
Guess which facility?
Astrotech/Titusville?

nope

DatUser14 · « **Reply #42 on:** 01/11/2017 08:18 pm »

SMAB?

edkyle99 · « **Reply #43 on:** 01/11/2017 08:41 pm »

"Air Force’s former Defense Satellite Communications System Processing Facility", which I've also read as "Former NRO processing facility"? Not sure where, exactly, but I would guess south end of Cape.

This looks like a strong candidate.
28.448402, -80.587422

- Ed Kyle

Newton_V · « **Reply #44 on:** 01/11/2017 09:26 pm »

Jim · « **Reply #45 on:** 01/12/2017 12:32 am »

DPF is closed and SMAB is only for Spacex.

EPF is correct

edkyle99 · « **Reply #46 on:** 01/12/2017 01:35 pm »

Here's an exterior image of the Eastern Processing Facility. It appears to have been completed during 2012 or thereabouts, and it is at 28.448402, -80.587422.

http://www.welbro.com/project/eastern-processing-facility-cape-canaveral/

- Ed Kyle

russianhalo117 · « **Reply #47 on:** 01/12/2017 03:10 pm »

Quote from: edkyle99 on 01/12/2017 01:35 pm

Here's an exterior image of the Eastern Processing Facility. It appears to have been completed during 2012 or thereabouts, and it is at 28.448402, -80.587422.

http://www.welbro.com/project/eastern-processing-facility-cape-canaveral/

- Ed Kyle

I have driven by that before with my cousin and always thought that it looked like a processing facility and apparently it was handed over at the beginning of November 2012 with it construction completed in October 2012

edkyle99 · « **Reply #48 on:** 01/12/2017 03:43 pm »

Quote from: russianhalo117 on 01/12/2017 03:10 pm

Quote from: edkyle99 on 01/12/2017 01:35 pm
Here's an exterior image of the Eastern Processing Facility. It appears to have been completed during 2012 or thereabouts, and it is at 28.448402, -80.587422.

http://www.welbro.com/project/eastern-processing-facility-cape-canaveral/

- Ed Kyle
I have driven by that before with my cousin and always thought that it looked like a processing facility and apparently it was handed over at the beginning of November 2012 with it construction completed in October 2012

Google Earth shows early site work in 2006, steel and/or foundation work in 2007, and general construction underway for years until, finally, a completed building appears in 2013.

I wonder what went through there? There were a gaggle of NRO missions starting in 2014, there was CLIO, the GSSAP missions, etc.

Are these the first images we've seen of an EPF interior space?

- Ed Kyle

Jim · « **Reply #49 on:** 01/12/2017 04:32 pm »

Quote from: edkyle99 on 01/12/2017 03:43 pm

There were a gaggle of NRO missions starting in 2014, there was CLIO, the GSSAP missions, etc.

Are these the first images we've seen of an EPF interior space?

- Ed Kyle

I think those went through Astrotech

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #50 on:** 01/12/2017 06:54 pm »

Quote

ULA, Air Force today placed #SBIRS GEO-3 satellite atop Atlas V rocket in preparation for 7:46pm ET Jan. 19 launch from Cape Canaveral.

https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/819622545775325184

spaceflightnow also has a brief report: ‪ http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/01/12/atlas-5-and-delta-4-achieve-milestones-in-parallel-on-the-same-morning/‬

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #51 on:** 01/16/2017 12:25 pm »

ULA:

Everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V launch carrying the SBIRS GEO Flight 3 satellite. The mission is set to lift off on a ULA Atlas V rocket on Thursday, Jan. 19 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch window 7:46-8:26 p.m. EST. Today’s L-4 forecast shows a 70 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

Weather Forecast

Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 30%

Primary concerns: Cumulus Clouds, Thick Clouds

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 40%

Primary concerns: Cumulus Clouds, Thick Clouds

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #52 on:** 01/16/2017 02:19 pm »

Forecast attached (details as per Chris' post)

jacqmans · « **Reply #53 on:** 01/17/2017 02:19 pm »

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #54 on:** 01/17/2017 02:58 pm »

Quote

Atlas V/SBIRS GEO-3 weather forecast remains 80% "go" for 7:46pm Thursday launch from Cape Canaveral AFS.

https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/821382327897100288

45th's updated forecast is not yet online.

jacqmans · « **Reply #55 on:** 01/17/2017 03:35 pm »

Jan 17, 2017 (11:30am EST)

U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin Prepare for Jan. 19 Launch of Next SBIRS Missile Warning Satellite

Once launched, the Bay Area-built satellite will track and deliver infrared data critical to early missile warning and defense

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will launch the next Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite on Jan. 19 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The launch window is between 7:46 and 8:26 p.m. EST.

SBIRS GEO Flight 3 was designed and built at Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale, California, as the next in a series of Air Force satellites that provide multi-mission surveillance in the areas of missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness. The data provided by SBIRS can also be applied to a number of qualified government and civilian applications, including first response for natural disasters and firefighting.

Watch Live: A live launch broadcast will begin at 7:26 p.m. EST and will be viewable at www.ulalaunch.com. Downloadable images and video b-roll of the satellite are available at www.lockheedmartin.com/sbirs.

"At Lockheed Martin, we understand the Air Force's important mission to protect our nation and allies around the world, as well as the critical role that SBIRS plays in their continued ability to respond to evolving threats," said David Sheridan, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Overhead Persistent Infrared systems mission area. "With the launch of GEO Flight 3, we are proud to further enhance SBIRS infrared surveillance capabilities, and we look forward to working with our customer and industry teammates toward 100 percent mission success."

Once it reaches Geosynchronous Earth Orbit—around 22,000 miles above the Earth—GEO Flight 3 will use powerful sensors and cameras to detect and track infrared events, such as missile launches or other heat-causing events. While some satellites can only "see" what is directly below them, the SBIRS constellation has a view of the whole world, scanning for wide-area surveillance and staring at spots of interest.

With each satellite build, Lockheed Martin has continued to streamline its manufacturing process and increase efficiencies, while also introducing innovations that will keep SBIRS relevant long into the future. The next satellite, GEO Flight 4, will undergo final assembly, integration and test prior to its planned 2017 launch. SBIRS GEO-5 and GEO-6, which are currently in production, incorporate a new common spacecraft bus, Lockheed Martin's modernized A2100, which dramatically reduces costs and cycle times while increasing the potential to incorporate future advanced sensor suites.

The SBIRS development team is led by the Remote Sensing Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, California, is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Azusa, California, as the payload integrator. The 460th Space Wing, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, operates the SBIRS system.

Targeteer · « **Reply #56 on:** 01/17/2017 09:56 pm »

Los Angeles AFB Facebook page

ULA's Launch Readiness Review is complete! #AtlasV is set to launch the #SBIRS GEO Flight 3 mission for the United States Air Force this Thursday, Jan. 19. The launch window opens at 7:46 p.m. EST, and the live broadcast begins at 7:26 p.m. Will you be watching?

ZachS09 · « **Reply #57 on:** 01/17/2017 10:37 pm »

Launch timeline is on Spaceflight Now.

http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/01/17/timeline-atlas-5sbirs-geo-flight-3-ascent/

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #58 on:** 01/18/2017 04:20 am »

Here's the press kit.

jacqmans · « **Reply #59 on:** 01/18/2017 09:11 am »

U.S. Air Force
45th Space Wing Public Affairs Office
1201 Edward H. White II Street, Patrick AFB FL 32925-3237
Office: (321) 494-5933 Fax: (321) 494-7302 E-mail: [email protected]

January 17, 2017

MEDIA ADVISORY

RELEASE #011917

Showtime: 5:46 p.m. Jan. 19

Launch Window Opens: 7:46 p.m.

45th SW to support Atlas V SBIRS GEO-3 launch

By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. - The U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing will support the United Launch Alliance Atlas V SBIRS GEO-03 launch Jan. 19 from Launch Complex 41 here with a launch window opening at 7:46 p.m. ET. The Space Based Infrared Systems Geosynchronous Earth Orbit spacecraft will mark the third SBIRS satellite to be launched from CCAFS since 2011 and continues the replacement of the Defense Support Program constellation which has been in operation since 1970.

Accredited media representatives interested in covering the launch must report NLT 5:46 p.m. Jan. 19 in the parking lot adjacent to the Sands Space History Center off State Road 401, near the South Gate of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Vehicles should be lined up in two rows convoy style in the grass perimeter area of the parking lot. Cones will designate the location.