NASASpaceFlight.com Forum

Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => ULA - Delta, Atlas, Vulcan => Topic started by: jacqmans on 07/31/2006 07:33 pm

Title: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 07/31/2006 07:33 pm
July 31, 2006

Dwayne Brown/Erica Hupp
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726/1237

RELEASE: 06-286

NASA SELECTS TEAMS FOR SPACE WEATTHER MISSION AND STUDIES

Four university teams will share $100 million to provide experiments
and supporting hardware for a future NASA mission to study near-Earth
space radiation. This type of radiation is hazardous to astronauts,
orbiting satellites and aircraft flying high altitude polar routes.

The teams will initially use $4.2 million to perform a one-year cost,
management and technical study prior to assembling and testing their
scientific payload for the mission. The anticipated lifetime cost of
payload development is $96 million.

Called the Radiation Belt Storm Probes, the two-spacecraft mission is
scheduled for launch in 2012. The mission will study how
accumulations of space radiation form and change during space storms.
Space weather storms involve constantly changing magnetic and
electric fields and gusts of radiation particles that produce intense
energy. This energy can black out long-distance communications over
entire continents and disrupt the global navigational system.

"This research will provide information to aid those working in this
environment to respond proactively to space radiation events, rather
than reactively," said NASA's Heliophysics Division director Dick
Fisher.

NASA also has selected three teams to share approximately $2.3 million
to conduct studies for small missions that will augment the 2012
mission. NASA will review the studies and select one investigation
for continued development.

Proposals for the 2012 mission and studies were submitted to NASA in
response to an Announcement of Opportunity released in August 2005.
Selected teams and experiments for the 2012 mission:

- Boston Univ., Boston; directly measure the near-Earth space
radiation particles to determine the physical processes that produce
radiation enhancements and loss

- University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; understand the origin of plasma
waves that energize space particles to radiation levels; measure the
distortions to Earth's magnetic field that control the structure of
the planet's radiation belts

- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; study electric fields in space
that energize radiation particles and modify the structure of the
inner magnetosphere

- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J.; determine how
space weather creates what is called the "storm time ring current"
around Earth and determine how that ring current supplies and
supports the creation of radiation populations

Selected teams for studies and areas of research to augment the 2012
mission:

- University of Colorado at Boulder, Colo.; a potential U.S.
contribution of scientific instrumentation for a Canadian scientific
satellite

- University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.; measure the response
of the Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere to space weather forces

- Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.; seek to discover the mechanisms
that cause the Earth's radiation belts to periodically drain away
into the planet's atmosphere

The National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va., plans to enhance
the mission's scientific goals by contributing an experiment to
gather additional data that will better characterize the radiation
environment in space. The experiment will extend the measurement
capabilities to a range beyond what was originally planned for the
mission.

These investigations and the Radiation Belt Storm Probe mission are
part of NASA's Living with a Star Program. The program is designed to
understand how and why the sun varies, how planetary systems respond
and the effect on human space and Earth activities.
The program is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center,
Greenbelt, Md., for the agency's Heliophysics Division of the Science
Mission Directorate.

For more information on NASA's Living with a Star Geospace Program,
visit:

http://www.lws.nasa.gov/geospace (http://www.lws.nasa.gov/geospace)

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/home (http://www.nasa.gov/home)


-end-
Title: Re:A tlas V - Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 05/30/2012 11:30 am
Quote
The Centaur upper stage is moved into the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center, or ASOC, to begin checkout for the launch of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, mission

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
Title: Re: Atlas V - Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 06/20/2012 07:59 pm
catching up with the images:

Quote
In the clean room high bay at the Astrotech payload processing facility near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians prepare to clean and inspect Radiation Belt Storm Probes A and B. The Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, mission will help us understand the sun’s influence on Earth and near-Earth space by studying the Earth’s radiation belts on various scales of space and time. RBSP will begin its mission of exploration of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts and the extremes of space weather after its launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
Title: Re: Atlas V - Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 06/20/2012 08:02 pm
and arrival of the 1st stage on the Delta Mariner and then transport to Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center

Great time for EELV operations  8)
Title: Re: Atlas V - Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/20/2012 08:42 pm
Just so I have this correct, the top picture is from inside the Delta Mariner and the other is inside the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center. I have actually never seen any pictures from inside the Delta Mariner before. Cool shots.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Lurker Steve on 06/20/2012 10:36 pm
I see the centaur that arrives earlier is off on the right side of the bottom picture.

How big is the ASOC ? How many cores / missions can they work on at the same time ?
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 06/20/2012 11:34 pm
I see the centaur that arrives earlier is off on the right side of the bottom picture.

How big is the ASOC ? How many cores / missions can they work on at the same time ?


they can have 3 missions in flow. 
VIF
ASOC Ordnance bay
ASOC High bay

There is no need for more room in the high bay for more cores, they only spend a short time there, but it can hold 3 for a Heavy.
Title: Re: Atlas V - Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 06/21/2012 01:33 am
and arrival of the 1st stage on the Delta Mariner and then transport to Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center

Great time for EELV operations  8)

now these are some special kinda pics.......
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 06/28/2012 10:23 am
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-121

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ACCREDITATION NOW OPEN FOR NASA'S RBSP LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media accreditation is open for the launch of
NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission. Liftoff is
scheduled for 4:08 a.m. EDT, Thursday, Aug. 23, aboard an Atlas V
rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Fla.

The two-year RBSP mission will help scientists develop an
understanding of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts and related
regions that pose hazards to human and robotic explorers.

International news media who want to cover the RBSP launch must apply
for accreditation by 5 p.m., July 18. NASA and the U.S. Air Force
require international media to apply for accreditation at least 30
days in advance of the scheduled launch. U.S. media also may begin
their application process at this time. All news media must use the
online accreditation system at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

International media are required to provide their full legal name,
date of birth, nationality, passport number and media affiliation.
Two forms of legal identification are required upon arrival at
Kennedy. At least one form must be legal photo identification, such
as a passport or driver's license.

International media with questions about accreditation should contact:

Jennifer Horner
NASA Public Affairs Office
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-6598 or 321-867-2468
[email protected]

RBSP will use twin probes to explore space weather -- changes in
Earth's space environment caused by the sun -- that can disable
satellites, create power grid failures and disrupt GPS service. The
mission also will allow researchers to understand fundamental
radiation and particle acceleration processes throughout the
universe.

The RBSP is part of NASA's Living with a Star Program, which is
managed by the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel,
Md., built the pair of RBSP spacecraft and will manage the mission
for NASA. The Launch Services Program at Kennedy is responsible for
launch management. United Launch Alliance is the provider of the
Atlas V launch service.

For more information about the RBSP mission, visit:

http:www.nasa.gov/rbsp
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: spectre9 on 06/29/2012 12:50 am
I enjoyed this little radio piece.

http://www.npr.org/2012/06/25/155719933/twin-probes-to-investigate-mysteries-of-space-weather

These little spacecraft must be very tough.

Video of spacecraft testing here.

http://rbsp.jhuapl.edu/newscenter/intheloop/2012_0530.php
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 07/03/2012 06:08 pm
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-123

NASA ANNOUNCES EVENT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS AT RBSP LAUNCH

WASHINGTON -- NASA invites its social media followers to a two-day
NASA Social on Aug. 22-23, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in
Florida for the launch of NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP)
mission.

NASA Socials are in-person meetings with people who engage with the
agency through Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and other social networks.
This event is expected to culminate in the launch of the twin RBSP
spacecraft, currently targeted for 4:08 a.m. EDT, Thursday, Aug. 23
aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

Registration for the NASA Social opens at noon Thursday, July 5, and
closes at noon Monday, July 9. Fifty participants will be selected
from online registrations. Because portions of this event may take
place in restricted areas, registration is limited to U.S. citizens.

Participants will have unique behind the scenes experiences with NASA,
which they are encouraged to share with others through their favorite
social networks. Guests will view the launch, tour facilities at
Kennedy, speak with representatives from NASA and the Applied Physics
Laboratory, view the RBSP launch pad, meet fellow space enthusiasts
who are active on social media and meet members of NASA's launch
services and social media teams.

The RBSP mission uses two identical spacecraft built by the Johns
Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. Designed
for a two-year primary science mission in orbit around Earth, RBSP
will provide insight into our planet's radiation belts and help
scientists predict changes in this critical region of space.

For more information on the NASA Social and to register, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/social

To find all the ways to connect and collaborate with NASA, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/connect

To learn more about RBSP, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/rbsp

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 07/05/2012 08:24 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iknDzp_uPek&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 07/10/2012 10:07 pm
Quote
Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians deploy the solar arrays and magnetometer boom of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, spacecraft A.

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 07/13/2012 05:23 pm
From KSC facebook:

Today the United Launch Alliance Atlas V first stage booster for
 NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission was hoisted into position in the
 Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41. The Centaur upper stage
 will follow on Monday. At Astrotech, Probe B of the RBSP spacecraft is
 undergoing solar array integration and testing.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 07/19/2012 08:25 pm
and images:

Shiny!

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 07/21/2012 03:22 pm
and now the Centaur Upperstage is at the pad:
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 07/21/2012 03:30 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iknDzp_uPek&feature=youtu.be

this is like a study long overdue and has gotten very little PR.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 07/21/2012 04:46 pm
and now the Centaur Upperstage is at the pad:

Actually, it is at SLC-41.  The pad is behind the fence
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 07/25/2012 01:59 am
Centaur stacked on the core stage:

The LUT looks like it could use some maintenance....

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: WHAP on 07/25/2012 02:18 pm
Centaur stacked on the core stage:

The LUT looks like it could use some maintenance....

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4

What's an LUT?  Not to be a stickler, but Atlas at CCAFS has a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) on which the vehicle is stacked.  That stacking is done at the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF).  There are probably a number of other acronyms, but these are the most relevant for these events.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: douglas100 on 07/25/2012 09:26 pm
I think that's the umbilical tower. It looks a bit rusty in places.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 07/26/2012 12:18 am
What's an LUT?  Not to be a stickler, but Atlas at CCAFS has a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) on which the vehicle is stacked.  That stacking is done at the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF).  There are probably a number of other acronyms, but these are the most relevant for these events.

The LUT is the Launch Umbilical Tower, which is on the MLP.

two view from the KSC webcams, showing the RBSP S/C in the Astrotech building.

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 07/26/2012 12:25 am
and the ELV webcams showing the S/c PLF adapter of the Centaur in the VIF:

http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 07/26/2012 01:30 am
It is the boattail secion of the fairing. The spacecraft adapter will show up in the other building
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: dave k on 07/28/2012 02:47 am
Both probes joined together from channel 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3NZEnFMTIc&feature=youtu.be

The whole day  :)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 07/30/2012 02:59 pm
Both probes joined together from channel 3


The whole day  :)

great job dave K
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 07/30/2012 03:15 pm
MEDIA ADVISORY: M40-12

NASA OFFERS NEWS MEDIA ACCESS TO TWIN RBSP SPACECRAFT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), set
to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on Aug. 23,
will be the focus of a media opportunity at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday,
Aug. 2, at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville,
Fla. Media will be able to photograph the RBSP spacecraft and
interview project and launch program officials. The spacecraft will
be seen just prior to encapsulation into the payload fairing of the
Atlas V-401 launch vehicle.

The two-year RBSP mission will help scientists develop an
understanding of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts and related
regions that pose hazards to human and robotic explorers. RBSP will
use twin probes to explore space weather - changes in Earth's space
environment caused by the sun - that can disable satellites, create
power grid failures and disrupt GPS service. The mission also will
allow researchers to understand fundamental radiation and particle
acceleration processes throughout the universe.

Spokespersons from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics
Laboratory (APL) and the NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) will be
available for questions and interviews. APL participants will be Dr.
Nicky Fox, deputy project scientist; Jim Stratton, mission systems
engineer; and Kim Cooper, deputy project manager for instruments.
LSP's representative will be Rex Engelhardt, RBSP mission manager at
Kennedy Space Center.

Procedures for magnetically sensitive spacecraft must be followed by
media entering the cleanroom where the spacecraft are being prepared
for launch. Full cleanroom attire (bunny suits) must be worn and will
be furnished. Media should not wear perfume, cologne or makeup. Long
pants and closed-toe shoes must be worn - no shorts or skirts.

Camera equipment will be cleaned prior to cleanroom entry by
contamination-control specialists from APL. All camera equipment must
be self-contained and no portable lights will be allowed.
Non-essential equipment such as suede, leather or vinyl camera bags
or other carrying cases must be left outside the cleanroom. Cleanroom
paper and non-retractable ballpoint pens will be provided. No
notebook paper, pencils or retractable pens can be permitted. No
food, tobacco, chewing gum, lighters, matches or pocketknives will be
allowed.

Flash photography will be permitted; however, there also is adequate
metal halide lighting in the facility for pictures (white with slight
green cast; suggested exposure for ISO-ASA 400 is 1/30 sec. at
f/5.6). Wireless microphones also will be permitted to be used for
this event; however, cellular telephones are not allowed inside the
cleanroom. Also, because both of the RBSP spacecraft are magnetically
sensitive, magnets or devices containing magnets may not be brought
in. All equipment will be scanned for magnetic potential prior to
entry.

On Thursday, Aug. 2, U.S. news media representatives may proceed
directly to Astrotech located in the Spaceport Florida Industrial
Park, 1515 Chaffee Drive, Titusville. Access will be available
starting at 9:45 a.m. and the event will begin at 10 a.m. News media
identification and a government photo identification such as a
driver's license or passport will be required. News media who are
foreign nationals may attend only if they possess a permanently
issued NASA news media accreditation badge from the Kennedy Space
Center, not a temporary badge.

RBSP is part of NASA's Living with a Star Program, which is managed by
the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. The Johns
Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md., built
the pair of RBSP spacecraft and will manage the mission for NASA. The
Launch Services Program at Kennedy is responsible for the launch
management. United Launch Alliance is the provider of the Atlas V
launch service.

Media representatives should call the NASA Kennedy News Center
codaphone (321-867-2525) on Wednesday evening to assure that the
event is on schedule.

For more information about RBSP, visit:

http:www.nasa.gov/rbsp

For more information about Kennedy Space Center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/01/2012 08:37 pm
images of the two probes stacked:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=258
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: dsmillman on 08/04/2012 02:59 pm
Since the Atlas V 401 NROL-36 launch has been delayed until at least Aug. 14 will this Atlas V launch be delayed?
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/04/2012 03:07 pm
Since the Atlas V 401 NROL-36 launch has been delayed until at least Aug. 14 will this Atlas V launch be delayed?

Not at this time.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/04/2012 03:08 pm
RBSP is mating to the payload adapter as I type.

http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/04/2012 03:18 pm
Thanks for the heads up Jim:

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/04/2012 10:55 pm
ok will monitor you for a bit...

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/04/2012 11:23 pm
doesn't like the player sorry for the size

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/04/2012 11:49 pm
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/05/2012 01:53 am
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/06/2012 04:14 pm
Jim something special about the silver tape use for this mission vs a Gold mylar?
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/06/2012 04:36 pm
Jim something special about the silver tape use for this mission vs a Gold mylar?

Different thermal and ESD environment
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/06/2012 04:59 pm
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/06/2012 05:52 pm
Say good bye.  They are now in the fairing
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/06/2012 08:53 pm
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/07/2012 04:33 pm
Is this a new project or same Radiation Belt Storm Probes?

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 08/08/2012 05:42 am
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-146

NASA TO HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE ON UPCOMING RADIATION BELT STORM PROBES LAUNCH

WASHINGTON -- NASA will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. EDT Thursday,
Aug. 9, to discuss the upcoming launch of the Radiation Belt Storm
Probes (RBSP), a mission to study Earth's radiation belts. The event
will be broadcast live on NASA Television and streamed on the
agency's website.

The two-year RBSP mission will help scientists develop an
understanding of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts and related
regions that pose hazards to human and robotic explorers. RBSP is
scheduled to launch no earlier than 4:08 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, from
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The twin probes will
lift off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

News conference panelists are:

-- Madhulika Guhathakurta, Living With a Star program scientist, NASA
Headquarters, Washington
-- Mona Kessel, RBSP program scientist, NASA Headquarters
-- Barry Mauk, RBSP project scientist, Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Laurel, Md.
-- Rick Fitzgerald, RBSP project manager, APL, Laurel, Md.

Reporters can ask questions from NASA's centers by telephone or via
Twitter using the hashtag #asknasa. For dial-in information,
reporters must send their name, media affiliation and telephone
number to [email protected] by 1 p.m. Aug. 9.

RBSP will explore space weather -- changes in Earth's space
environment caused by the sun -- that can disable satellites, create
power-grid failures and disrupt GPS service. The mission also will
allow researchers to understand fundamental radiation and particle
acceleration processes throughout the universe.

Graphics presented during the news conference will be online shortly
before the start of the event at:

http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about the RBSP mission, visit:

http:www.nasa.gov/rbsp
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/08/2012 12:38 pm
Is this a new project or same Radiation Belt Storm Probes?



Fairing diaphragm
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: dsmillman on 08/08/2012 01:16 pm
The ULA launch booklet is available at:

http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/missionbooklets/AV/av_rbsp_mob.pdf
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: robertross on 08/08/2012 03:39 pm
Say good bye.  They are now in the fairing

Another one of the projects you worked on Jim? 
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/08/2012 04:44 pm
Say good bye.  They are now in the fairing

Another one of the projects you worked on Jim? 

yep
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/08/2012 08:20 pm
another view today of the s/c fairing
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: robertross on 08/08/2012 08:23 pm
Say good bye.  They are now in the fairing

Another one of the projects you worked on Jim? 

yep

awesome stuff. Thanks

(will be cheering with you when she launches!)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 08/09/2012 06:40 pm
RELEASE: 12-272

NEW NASA MISSION READY TO BRAVE EARTH'S RADIATION BELTS

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission will
send two spacecraft into the harsh environment of our planet's
radiation belts. Final preparations have begun for launch on
Thursday, Aug. 23, from Florida's Space Coast.

The RBSP spacecraft are designed to fly and operate in the heart of
the most hazardous regions of near-Earth space to collect crucial
data. The data will help researchers develop an understanding of the
Van Allen radiation belts, two rings of very high energy electrons
and protons that can pose hazards to human and robotic explorers.

"At the end of this month we will turn our attention from planet Mars
to planet Earth, both immersed in the atmosphere of our sun," said
Barbara Giles, director of NASA's Heliophysics Division. "RBSP will
further explore the connection of solar variability and its impacts
on Earth's radiation belts."

RBSP will help scientists understand how the invisible radiation belts
-- named for James Van Allen, who discovered them -- behave and react
to changes in the sun, thereby contributing to Earth's space weather.
Space weather is caused in great part by the sun's influence on Earth
and near-Earth space, including solar events such as giant eruptions
of solar material called coronal mass ejections.

"The dramatic dynamics of Earth's radiation belts caused by space
weather are highly unpredictable," said Barry Mauk, RBSP project
scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
(APL) in Laurel, Md. "One of the fundamental objectives of the RBSP
mission is to use Earth's magnetosphere as a natural laboratory to
understand generally how radiation is created and evolves throughout
the universe. There are many mysteries that need to be resolved."

Space weather fluctuations can increase radiation exposure for pilots
and passengers during polar aircraft flights. They also can disable
satellites, cause power grid failures, and disrupt the Global
Positioning System, television and telecommunications signals.
Understanding the science of space weather will lead to better space
weather predictions, which in turn will allow us to better manage and
protect our technological infrastructure in space and on the ground.

The spacecraft are atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket
currently being prepared to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Fla.

"Everything is ready and prepared for RBSP to launch as scheduled,"
said Richard Fitzgerald, RBSP project manager at APL. "Both the twin
spacecraft and the entire RBSP team are eager to begin their
exploration of one of the most dangerous parts of space near our
planet."

The mission will last two years. The spacecraft, carrying the best and
most comprehensive instrumentation ever sent into the radiation
belts, will fly through surging and swelling belts of energized
particles that would damage ordinary spacecraft. By using a pair of
probes flying in highly elliptical orbits, scientists will be able to
study the radiation belts over space and time, learn how particles
within the belts are produced and behave during space weather events,
and what mechanisms drive the acceleration of the particles.

RBSP is part of NASA's Living With a Star Program to explore aspects
of the connected sun-Earth system that directly affect life and
society. LWS is managed by the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center
in Greenbelt, Md. APL built the RBSP spacecraft and will manage the
mission for NASA.

For more information about NASA's RBSP mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/rbsp

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: catdlr on 08/10/2012 07:22 am
B-Roll of the mission (including various systems testing) has been released:

[RBSP] B-Roll for NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission

Published on Aug 9, 2012 by SpaceVidsNet
The Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) is designed to help us understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the Earth's radiation belts on various scales of space and time. The mission is part of the Living With a Star program and consists of two satellites that will orbit the Earth within the Van Allen radiation belts.

The mission is scheduled to launch on August 23, 2012 at 08:08 UTC from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral on an Atlas V401 rocket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb59AxO_p6I
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/10/2012 03:53 pm
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 08/10/2012 03:53 pm
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-148

NASA SETS RADIATION BELT STORM PROBES MISSION LAUNCH EVENTS COVERAGE



CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) are
set to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket Aug. 23.
The 20-minute launch window for the twin probes at Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41 begins at 4:08 a.m. EDT.

Launch commentary coverage, as well as prelaunch media briefings, will
be carried live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

RBSP will explore space weather -- changes in Earth's space
environment caused by the sun -- that can disable satellites, create
power grid failures and disrupt GPS service. The mission also will
allow researchers to understand fundamental radiation and particle
acceleration processes throughout the universe.

Prelaunch News Conference
A prelaunch news conference on NASA TV will be held at NASA Kennedy
Space Center's Press Site at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20.
Briefing participants are:
-- Michael Luther, deputy associate administrator for programs, NASA's
Science Mission Directorate, Washington
-- Tim Dunn, NASA launch director, Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
-- Vernon Thorp, program manager, NASA Missions, United Launch
Alliance, Denver, Colo.
-- Richard Fitzgerald, RBSP project manager, Johns Hopkins Applied
Physics Laboratory,
Laurel, Md.
-- Kathy Winters, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, Cape
Canaveral Air Force
Station, Fla.

RBSP Mission Science Briefing
Immediately following the prelaunch news conference, an RBSP mission
science briefing will be held and carried on NASA TV.
Briefing participants are:
-- Mona Kessel, RBSP program scientist, NASA Headquarters, Washington
-- Nicola Fox, RBSP deputy project scientist, Johns Hopkins Applied
Physics Laboratory
-- Craig Kletzing, principal investigator, University of Iowa,
Electric and Magnetic Field
Instrument Suite and Integrated Science instrument
-- Harlan Spence, principal investigator, University of New Hampshire,
Energetic Particle,
Composition, and Thermal Plasma Suite instrument, Durham, N.H.
-- Lou Lanzerotti, principal investigator, New Jersey Institute of
Technology, Radiation Belt
Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment, Newark, N.J.

The science briefing is scheduled to conclude by 3 p.m.
A post-launch news conference also will be held approximately 2 1/2
hours after launch on Aug. 23.
Accreditation and Media Access Badges for Kennedy
U.S. media who want to cover the RBSP prelaunch news conference and
mission science briefing in-person must apply for credentials online
at:
https://media.ksc.nasa.gov/
The deadline for international media to apply for launch accreditation
has passed.

Atlas V Launch Vehicle Rollout
Tuesday, Aug. 21: There will be a media opportunity to observe rollout
of the Atlas V rocket from the Vertical Integration Facility to the
launch pad. Media should be at Kennedy's Press Site at 9 a.m. for
transportation to the viewing location near Space Launch Complex 41.
Remote Camera Placement at Space Launch Complex 41

Tuesday, Aug. 21: Photographers who wish to set up remote
sound-activated cameras at the Atlas V launch pad will transported to
Space Launch Complex 41. Media should meet in the Kennedy Press Site
parking lot at 1:30 p.m. Media also should plan to use a timer that
can be set for more than 24 hours. Only news media representatives
establishing a remote camera at the pad will be permitted for this
activity.

Launch Day Press Site Access
Thursday, Aug. 23: Media will cover the RBSP launch from Kennedy's
Press Site. Access will be through Gate 3 on State Road 405, east of
the Kennedy Center Visitor Complex beginning at 12:30 a.m.
Kennedy Press Site Hours
Monday, Aug. 20: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 21: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 23: 12:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

NASA Television Coverage
On Monday, Aug. 20, NASA Television will carry the RBSP prelaunch news
conference and mission science briefing live beginning at 1 p.m.
On Thursday, Aug. 23, NASA Television coverage of the launch will
begin at 1:30 a.m. and conclude after the second of the two RBSP
spacecraft has separated from the Atlas V, which occurs 91 minutes
and six seconds after launch. Live launch coverage will be carried on
all NASA Television channels.

A post-launch news conference will be held at Kennedy's Press Site
approximately 2 1/2 hours after launch. Spokespersons also will be
available at the Press Site for interviews and to answer questions.

For NASA Television downlink information, schedule information and
streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

A prelaunch webcast for the RBSP mission will be streamed on NASA's
website at noon, Wednesday, Aug. 22. Live countdown coverage through
NASA's Launch Blog begins at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23. Coverage
features live updates as countdown milestones occur, as well as
streaming video clips highlighting launch preparations and liftoff.
For questions about countdown coverage, contact Jeanne Ryba at
321-867-7824.

To view the webcast and the blog or to learn more about the RBSP
mission, visit :
http://www.nasa.gov/rbsp

Social Media
Join the conversation online by using the #RBSP hashtag or by
following RBSP on Twitter at @RBStormProbes or on Facebook at:


http://on.fb.me/QR9agm

Throughout the launch countdown, the @RBStormProbes and @NASAKennedy
Twitter feeds will be continuously updated with the latest mission
updates and news.

http://www.twitter.com/RBStormProbes
and

http://www.twitter.com/nasakennedy

Recorded Status
Recorded status reports and updates to the media advisory on the RBSP
launch will be provided through the Kennedy media phone line starting
Monday, Aug. 20. The telephone number is 321-867-2525.

Wireless Capability
Wireless capability for the news media is available at Kennedy's Press
Site.

RBSP is part of NASA's Living with a Star program, managed by the
agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. The Johns
Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md., built
the pair of RBSP spacecraft and will manage the mission for NASA.
NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy is responsible for launch
management. United Launch Alliance is the provider of the Atlas V
launch service.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/17/2012 08:10 pm
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/17/2012 08:19 pm
Yep, playing pretend rocket launch today
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/17/2012 08:22 pm
and view of the real one:

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/18/2012 01:17 am
Not to detract from this update thread, but we will have a very nice surprise after this launch for you ULA fans.

Firstly, this weekend, we'll be creating a specific ULA section on the forum. We'll then have this launch. Then - in full association with ULA, per agreement, we'll have a special event on the forum. :)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: spectre9 on 08/18/2012 08:52 am
Exciting news from ULA Chris. I'm always up for an Atlas or Delta launch.  ;D

Some nice images from the NASA gallery.

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: robertross on 08/18/2012 01:52 pm
Not to detract from this update thread, but we will have a very nice surprise after this launch for you ULA fans.

Firstly, this weekend, we'll be creating a specific ULA section on the forum. We'll then have this launch. Then - in full association with ULA, per agreement, we'll have a special event on the forum. :)

sounds awesome! I love (good) surprises  ;)

ULA!!  ULA!!   ULA!!
:)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 23, 2012
Post by: Star One on 08/18/2012 05:42 pm
Not to detract from this update thread, but we will have a very nice surprise after this launch for you ULA fans.

Firstly, this weekend, we'll be creating a specific ULA section on the forum. We'll then have this launch. Then - in full association with ULA, per agreement, we'll have a special event on the forum. :)

Excellent. Sounds intriguing. :)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/20/2012 12:04 am
ULA Statement:

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Aug. 19, 2012) - The launch of an Atlas V carrying NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes satellite is being delayed 24 hours. An anomalous engine condition was identified during testing of another Atlas vehicle at the Factory in Decatur, Ala., and the delay will allow additional time for engineers to complete their assessments and verify that a similar condition does not exist on the RBSP launch vehicle engine. The launch is rescheduled for Friday, Aug. 24 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The opening of the launch window is 4:07 a.m. EDT. The forecast for Aug. 24 shows a 60 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch.

 

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: 00rs250 on 08/20/2012 01:36 am
Just heard that Kathy is LWO on this one.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: John44 on 08/20/2012 07:34 pm
Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Mission Science Briefing
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7786
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/21/2012 11:20 am
NASA note from yesterday giving a bit more info on the problem area (my underline):

Atlas Booster Testing Under Way
Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:21:31 PM GMT

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida today, engineers are testing the hydraulic system actuators on the Atlas V first-stage booster's RD-180 engines in preparation for the RBSP launch. A problem was identified over the weekend on a similar booster undergoing testing at the United Launch Alliance factory. The test data will be analyzed tonight and the results presented at an engineering review board tomorrow morning. The launch readiness review will be held tomorrow afternoon. If the Atlas V is cleared for flight, the rocket's rollout to the pad will occur at 10 a.m. EDT on Wednesday in preparation for a liftoff now targeted for 4:07 a.m. on Friday. U.S. Air Force launch weather forecasters predict a 60 percent chance of meeting the launch weather criteria.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html)
(note this link is to the news archive so will not be persistent)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/21/2012 12:03 pm
Launch Hazard Area (http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120406-076.pdf)
 Restricted Airspace Map (http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120406-075.pdf)

Navigational warning
Quote
NAVAREA IV    458/2012(GEN). (190916Z AUG 2012) 
NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 230808Z TO 230927Z AUG, ALTERNATE
   240807Z TO 240926Z AUG IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-37-00.0N 080-36-00.0W, 28-37-00.0N 080-32-00.0W,
      28-30-00.0N 080-15-00.0W, 28-29-00.0N 080-15-00.0W,
      28-29-00.0N 080-17-00.0W, 28-33-00.0N 080-34-00.0W.
   B. 23-24-00.0N 060-01-00.0W, 22-27-00.0N 057-30-00.0W,
      21-58-00.0N 057-12-00.0W, 21-37-00.0N 057-22-00.0W,
      21-37-00.0N 057-52-00.0W, 22-34-00.0N 060-22-00.0W.
   C. 02-02-15.7N 026-42-21.2W, 00-48-17.3N 016-20-04.6W,
      06-27-19.8N 015-44-33.4W, 07-39-45.7N 026-11-28.3W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 241026Z AUG 12.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/21/2012 03:29 pm
Catching up, in case we missed some of this.

ULA:

All launch preparations are progressing well in support of NASA’s Atlas V RBSP launch set for Friday, Aug. 24 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch window opens at 4:07 a.m. EDT and extends for 20 minutes. Today’s L-4 forecast shows a 60 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

I have included the mission booklet for information regarding this mission, as well as the mission artwork.

The remote camera set up has been moved to Wednesday afternoon following the vehicle roll to the pad.

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/21/2012 05:33 pm
Good pdf but left a couple of questions.

Looks like they are using old graphics on the page.   The Centaur Tank mfg was moved, unless this is one of the last tanks made in San Diego?

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/21/2012 05:54 pm
Booster Engine Actuator Testing Complete; Launch Readiness Review Today
Tue, 21 Aug 2012 02:59:56 PM GMT

For the upcoming launch of NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, testing of the Atlas V RD180 booster engine actuator was completed last night at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The actuator system drives main engine steering. An engineering review board convened this morning to analyze the test results, and will make a recommendation at the Launch Readiness Review this afternoon. At this point in the analysis, there appear to be no obvious problems with the system on the Atlas V that will launch RBSP.

If the Launch Readiness Review has a positive outcome and the rocket is cleared for launch, rollout to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex-41 will occur at 10 a.m. EDT on Wednesday morning. The RBSP spacecraft is ready for launch. The current launch weather forecast for Friday morning has only a 40 percent chance of not meeting the required weather criteria at the 4:07 a.m. liftoff time.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: jacqmans on 08/21/2012 07:52 pm
MEDIA Update:


Atlas Roll to Launch Pad

6:30 – 7:00 a.m.              Media arrive at Press Site for vehicle roll to pad

7:15 a.m.                         Depart for UCS 3

8:00 – 9:15 a.m.              Atlas V Rollout from Vertical Integration Facility to launch pad

 

Remote Camera Set-up

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.         Media setting up for remote cameras arrive at Press Site

11:30 a.m.                      Depart for Remote Camera Set-up Location (CCAFS)

12:00 – 2:00 p.m.           Set-up Remote Camera
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/21/2012 11:27 pm
RBSP, Atlas V is "Go" for Launch
Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:39:18 PM UTC+0100

The launch teams for NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes concluded their Launch Readiness Review today and received the go-ahead to continue preparations for Friday morning's liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force station in Florida.

After extensive testing of the booster engine actuator system on the RD-180 engines and a thorough data analysis, no problems were found and the rocket has been cleared for launch. The RBSP spacecraft also was cleared for flight during the review and is ready for liftoff.

To avoid predicted afternoon thunderstorm activity on Wednesday, the Atlas V rollout has been moved earlier to 8 a.m. EDT. This will allow sufficient time for the RP-1 fuel to be loaded aboard the Atlas first stage before adverse weather arrives.

The launch weather forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions Friday morning. Liftoff is scheduled for 4:07 a.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 24.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: catdlr on 08/22/2012 01:36 am
RBSP: Ready For Launch

Published on Aug 21, 2012 by NASAKennedy

See some of the work that went into preparing the Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission and the United Launch Alliance Atlas V that will send the spacecraft into orbit.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H41R9qX6gzg
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Jim on 08/22/2012 02:53 am
Find Jim in the video
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: catdlr on 08/22/2012 02:58 am
Find Jim in the video

at 50 seconds with your back to back to us?
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Jim on 08/22/2012 03:11 am
Find Jim in the video

at 50 seconds with your back to back to us?

Nope, not there but I was around.  I actually am trying to find myself. 
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/22/2012 03:13 am
ULA:

The Launch Readiness Review was completed today in preparation for NASA’s Atlas V RBSP launch set for Friday, Aug. 24 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch window opens at 4:07 a.m. EDT and extends for 20 minutes. Today’s L-3 forecast continues to show a 60 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/22/2012 03:28 am
Only one thing then to say.....Go Atlas, Go Centaur.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: input~2 on 08/22/2012 09:50 am
Updated navigational warning
If zone C (see figure above (http://index.php?topic=3587.msg945049#msg945049)) is for Centaur deorbit then the applicable timeslot does not seem to fit  ???
Quote
NAVAREA IV    461/2012(GEN). (201628Z AUG 2012) 
NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 240807Z TO 240927Z AUG,
   ALTERNATE 250807Z TO 250927Z AND 260807Z TO 260927Z AUG
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-37-00.0N 080-36-00.0W, 28-37-00.0N 080-32-00.0W,
      28-30-00.0N 080-15-00.0W, 28-29-00.0N 080-15-00.0W,
      28-29-00.0N 080-17-00.0W, 28-33-00.0N 080-34-00.0W.
   B. 23-24-00.0N 060-01-00.0W, 22-27-00.0N 057-30-00.0W,
      21-58-00.0N 057-12-00.0W, 21-37-00.0N 057-22-00.0W,
      21-37-00.0N 057-52-00.0W, 22-34-00.0N 060-22-00.0W.
   C. 02-02-15.7N 026-42-21.2W, 00-48-17.3N 016-20-04.6W,
      06-27-19.8N 015-44-33.4W, 07-39-45.7N 026-11-28.3W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 458/12.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 261027Z AUG 12.

 
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: psloss on 08/22/2012 12:18 pm
Not sure how much this feed lags, but...
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/22/2012 04:03 pm
Atlas V, RBSP Move to Launch Pad
Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:10:50 PM UTC+0100

The rollout of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes spacecraft began on schedule at 8 a.m. EDT, reaching the pad at Space Launch Complex-41 at 8:35 a.m. Preparations are beginning to fuel the rocket's first stage with about 25,000 gallons RP-1, a highly refined kerosene. The fueling operation is scheduled to begin at noon and takes 45 minutes to complete.

The launch weather forecast has improved to only a 30 percent chance of not meeting the weather criteria for liftoff. Scattered clouds are forecast, with a temperature at launch time near 78 degrees and a light southwest wind. Tropical Storm Isaac will not be a factor if launch occurs on Friday or Saturday.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/22/2012 04:06 pm
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Aug. 22, 2012) - A United Launch Alliance Atlas V stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-41 with NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) satellite. Launch is set for Friday, Aug. 24 at 4:07 a.m. EDT. RBSP will study changes in Earth's space environment caused by the sun that can disable satellites, create power grid failures and disrupt GPS service.

 

Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: catdlr on 08/22/2012 06:15 pm
Overview Video and more inserts from AstroTech.

RBSP: Studying the Sun's Influence on Earth

Published on Aug 22, 2012 by NASAKennedy

Two wide rings of high-intensity particles encircle our planet's equator. Known as the Van Allen Radiation Belts, their behavior in response to the sun directly impacts life on Earth and in orbit. NASA's two-year Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission aims to study this ever-changing space environment in greater detail than ever before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6mC2TsTq-A
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/22/2012 09:29 pm
Excellent Video, and this mission might be the best taxpayer money spent in a long time!
The information obtained from the probes could provide many answers. 11 years to get to this point.....excitement.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: robertross on 08/23/2012 12:13 am
Find Jim in the video

The closest match was between 54 & 57 seconds, furthest guy back, but I think you're taller than him  ;)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Jim on 08/23/2012 12:14 am
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: robertross on 08/23/2012 12:41 am
Now I see you Jim!  Hehe
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/23/2012 01:06 am
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/23/2012 01:09 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/23/2012 03:58 pm
Moved for live coverage
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/23/2012 04:15 pm
RBSP Teams Preparing for Overnight Launch Countdown
Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:52:44 PM UTC+0100

At Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, there is relatively minor activity at the pad today as personnel rest for the overnight countdown to liftoff of NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes. Countdown preparations will begin tonight at 8:52 p.m. EDT and spacecraft engineers will start configuring RBSP for launch at approximately 10 p.m.

The terminal countdown operation begins at 12:57 a.m., at which time the launch pad will be cleared of personnel in preparation for fueling the Atlas V rocket. Loading cryogenic propellants begins at 1:42 a.m. The weather forecast continues to reflect only a 30 percent chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria, calling for temperatures near 78 degrees and light southeasterly winds at the targeted 4:07 a.m. liftoff time.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/23/2012 04:20 pm
.

Heh, now that's what I call a Jim Profile picture! :)
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Star One on 08/23/2012 08:31 pm
.

Heh, now that's what I call a Jim Profile picture! :)

So now I can put a face to the name & in such an impressive location. :)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/23/2012 11:54 pm
Join Us Overnight for the RBSP Launch Countdown
Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:26:35 PM UTC+0100

NASA's two-year Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission is slated to begin early Friday morning with a ride to orbit aboard the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex-41 is set for 4:07 a.m. EDT at the start of a 20-minute launch window.

Join us for live countdown coverage starting at 1:30 a.m. NASA TV will feature full televised coverage at http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv (http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv) while blogger Steve Siceloff provides updates from the Launch Vehicle Data Center on NASA's Launch Blog at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/rbsp/launch/launch_blog.html (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/rbsp/launch/launch_blog.html).
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Beemer on 08/23/2012 11:59 pm
A 4:07 AM launch? Why that is positively a decent hour compared to some we've had lately :D
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2012 12:15 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2012 12:36 am
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=258
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Jim on 08/24/2012 01:07 am
On console now, its going to be a long nite.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2012 01:10 am
 doing comm checks
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: robertross on 08/24/2012 01:18 am
On console now, its going to be a long nite.

Fingers crossed here. Sure to be a great show (as always).
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 02:20 am
T-4 hrs 52 min.

Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 02:36 am
William Graham's excellent launch/mission overview:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/08/nasa-rbsp-spacecraft-ride-ula-atlas-v/

Everyone please keep this update ticking over (if there are any updates of value), I'll be back about an hour prior to launch.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: sdsds on 08/24/2012 04:07 am
A slightly different perspective.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: edkyle99 on 08/24/2012 04:12 am
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=258
No sign of the vehicle number on this Atlas, or in any of the press material.  It was previously reported to be AV-032, but that is old public information.  Interesting that the outline of a a removed U.S. Air Force emblem is visible on the Centaur paint. 

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Jim on 08/24/2012 04:25 am
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=258
No sign of the vehicle number on this Atlas, or in any of the press material.  It was previously reported to be AV-032, but that is old public information.  Interesting that the outline of a a removed U.S. Air Force emblem is visible on the Centaur paint. 

 - Ed Kyle

I can confirm it is AV-032
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 04:51 am
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=258
No sign of the vehicle number on this Atlas, or in any of the press material.  It was previously reported to be AV-032, but that is old public information.  Interesting that the outline of a a removed U.S. Air Force emblem is visible on the Centaur paint. 

 - Ed Kyle

I can confirm it is AV-032

lost track of the interesting pre launch stuff......what happened with the blown fuse?
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Artyom. on 08/24/2012 05:06 am
T-3 hours
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: DanWerts on 08/24/2012 05:18 am
Well... great. I got delayed in landing (Midnight on the 19th/20th) delayed in car pick up (Just got it today) and lo and behold I am now gonna miss the launch entirely.
And for a moment, I thought I lucked out with the launch being pushed back a day or so...

Well... Joy.

I'm glad we are getting a better look at the Van Allen Belts though.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 05:26 am
Live coverage about to start.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 05:33 am
T-minus 2 hours and holding
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 05:40 am
Readiness poll for cryogenic tanking: Go!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 05:42 am
T-2 hours and counting
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 05:59 am
Start Centaur LO2 tanking.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 06:00 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 06:15 am
Bunch of screen grabs
o7 was a spin test...
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 06:16 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 06:16 am
Picked up the words Anomaly team, directly after an item, something to do with a fill and drain valve.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: DanWerts on 08/24/2012 06:24 am
From spaceflight now:
The anomaly team has been convened to discuss a possible issue with the liquid oxygen fill and drain valve for the first stage.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 06:28 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 06:29 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 06:30 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 06:31 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 06:36 am
Launch team is not working any issues according to PAO. ::)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: DanWerts on 08/24/2012 06:39 am
Launch team is not working any issues according to PAO. ::)

At 0230 they recieved the clear and it was quite audible over the ground communications. They were able to develop the workaround after it was discovered at 0215EDT
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 06:45 am
Some venting going on by now.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 07:01 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 07:25 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 07:32 am
Weather brief. Conditions have improved.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 07:35 am
T-6 minutes. Two minutes to the BIH for 25 mins.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 07:36 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 07:37 am
T-5 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 07:38 am
Into the 25 minute BIH at T-4 mins.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 07:38 am
T-4 minutes and holding.

POGO suppressor charged.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 07:47 am
ULA's Mr Thorpe providing a nice historical review of the vehicle.

614th flight of an Atlas. 203rd flight of the Centaur.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 07:54 am
Polling: Ready for terminal count.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 07:55 am
NASA team ready for terminal count.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 08:00 am
ULA team polling to come out of the BIH.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:00 am
I know the webcasts are pretty dire since they moved to flash, but there's only 900 watching (which is incredibly low), due to the time. A huge amount of people will be playing catch up later, so let's all work to get some images into this thread during the business end :)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:01 am
No go on the weather at this time on polling.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:01 am
Not releasing the hold. Calling it a Range issue.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 08:01 am
Range no-go. Not coming out of the hold.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Satori on 08/24/2012 08:03 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2012 08:05 am
starting anomaly team to discus beacon issue
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Satori on 08/24/2012 08:05 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:05 am
This is not good. Anomaly team meeting on a "beacon" issue relating to the Range. Can't be the same issue they had at Vandeberg.....I'd assume.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 08:06 am
Anomaly team meeting to discuss the problem. "Beacon indications" I heard?
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:06 am
Only a 20 minute window for this launch. About five minutes into that now.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:09 am
NASA KSC tweeted "an issue with Eastern Range beacon indications."
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Satori on 08/24/2012 08:10 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: robertross on 08/24/2012 08:10 am
"hold extended"
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:11 am
Hold extended. 7 minutes into the 20 minute window.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:11 am
"We can only extend it one more time" - on the loop, relating to the window.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: robertross on 08/24/2012 08:11 am
"can only extend it 1 more time"

"understood"
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Antares on 08/24/2012 08:11 am
If the vehicle anomaly team is running it and it's a beacon issue, that sounds like the C-band system on the rocket did not pass its final checks or there was a hiccup in the signal.  If it was an issue on the range, the vehicle anomaly team would not be running it.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:11 am
New T-0 08:25 ZULU
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Satori on 08/24/2012 08:12 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2012 08:13 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 08:13 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:13 am
If the vehicle anomaly team is running it and it's a beacon issue, that sounds like the C-band system on the rocket did not pass its final checks or there was a hiccup in the signal.  If it was an issue on the range, the vehicle anomaly team would not be running it.

Thanks, that helps a lot when the official lines are only saying beacon issue and not explaining it.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 08:14 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:16 am
For the new T-0, they will need to come out of the hold in five minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Satori on 08/24/2012 08:16 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: robertross on 08/24/2012 08:18 am
range not proceeding at this time due to beacon issue

so that sounds like a scrub  :(
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 08:18 am
Polling again to come out of the hold.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:18 am
Polling to come out of the count.

All go, apart from the Range - no go.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2012 08:19 am
range weather no go
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Dappa on 08/24/2012 08:19 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2012 08:20 am
recommend proceeding to detank- stand by as in holding pattern
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 08:20 am
Range still no-go.

Sounds like they're recommending a scrub.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: robertross on 08/24/2012 08:20 am
If the vehicle anomaly team is running it and it's a beacon issue, that sounds like the C-band system on the rocket did not pass its final checks or there was a hiccup in the signal.  If it was an issue on the range, the vehicle anomaly team would not be running it.

Thanks, that helps a lot when the official lines are only saying beacon issue and not explaining it.

And confirmation over the loop it is a C-band issue
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:21 am
And there's the scrub.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2012 08:21 am
SCRUB
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: robertross on 08/24/2012 08:21 am
24-hour scrub...arggghh

Sorry Jim, I feel for you.

(now back to bed for me)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012 (0807UTC)
Post by: Nick L. on 08/24/2012 08:21 am
Well, that's all for today. Scrubbed and detanking.

24 hour recycle.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/24/2012 08:24 am
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:33 am
Tim Dunn - NASA - explaining the issue:

"We did get an issue that the C-Band signal on the vehicle was drifting from the Eastern Range frequency."

Antares called it!

Did not have time to evaluate the cause with the 20 min window.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:35 am
Set up for a 24 hour turnaround, but caution they need to work the situation. Need to know if it was truely the C-Band on the vehicle....in which case they may have to access and changeout the system.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/24/2012 08:35 am
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:38 am
Webcast ends. Thanks very much to everyone who manned up and set their alarms to be around! ;)
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:39 am
William Graham's article updated with the scrub note. We await a scrub statement from ULA at this time:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/08/nasa-rbsp-spacecraft-ride-ula-atlas-v/
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/24/2012 08:58 am
RBSP Launch Rescheduled for Aug. 25
‎24 ‎August ‎2012, ‏‎08:39:52 UTC

Launch managers at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida have scrubbed the planned liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes due to an issue with Eastern Range beacon indications. The next launch attempt is scheduled for tomorrow, Aug. 25, at 4:07 a.m. EDT. Like today, the launch window will extend for 20 minutes.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html)
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/24/2012 10:47 am
Launch Team Evaluating Next Liftoff Attempt
Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:39:52 AM UTC

Friday's planned launch of NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) was delayed at least 24 hours when the Eastern Range reported a drift in the signal of a C-Band transponder aboard the Atlas V rocket. It is not yet known if the issue was in the ground-based range detection equipment or in the Atlas V transponder.

The C-Band is one of several systems used to track the vehicle after launch, and it is mandatory for it to operate prior to liftoff. Because of the limited 20-minute launch window, the launch team was not able to determine the cause of the signal drift before the window expired.

Managers have set up for a 24-hour recycle, pending clearance of the issue. Launch is targeted for the opening of a 20-minute launch window at 4:07 a.m. EDT on Saturday.

At this time, the Atlas rocket is being safed and propellants removed. When those operations are complete, C-Band beacon troubleshooting will begin. If the issue is found to be on the Atlas transponder, it may be necessary to replace the hardware.

NASA and United Launch Alliance managers will know more within a few hours, after the troubleshooting has been completed.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 08/24/2012 02:03 pm
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 02:38 pm
a fresh day.....a new start.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Antares on 08/24/2012 05:15 pm

Wow.  That's gorgeous.  Who took it?
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 08/24/2012 05:22 pm

Wow.  That's gorgeous.  Who took it?

It is an ULA photo sorry:
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/PhotoGallery/Photo_gallery.shtml
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 05:48 pm
Any word on approval/resolution for tomorrow's attempt? ULA seem to be tweeting like it's happening.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 24, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/24/2012 08:01 pm
Any word on approval/resolution for tomorrow's attempt? ULA seem to be tweeting like it's happening.

NASA put out this note earlier:

Join Us Overnight for the RBSP Launch Countdown
Fri, 24 Aug 2012 06:55:29 PM UTC

Launch managers have rescheduled liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V/Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex-41 for 4:07 a.m. EDT Saturday at the start of a 20-minute launch window.

The decision followed a series of meetings to evaluate "out-of-family" readings in the signal of a C-Band tracking device linking the Atlas V rocket and ground-based range equipment that caused a scrub early Friday morning. The C-Band Transponder is one of several systems used to track the vehicle after launch for range safety purposes.

Join us for live countdown coverage starting at 2:30 a.m. NASA TV will feature full televised coverage at http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv while blogger Steve Siceloff provides updates from the Launch Vehicle Data Center on NASA's Launch Blog at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/rbsp/launch/launch_blog.html.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2012 08:10 pm
Ok then. Thread realigned for the Saturday attempt.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/24/2012 11:39 pm
nice sunset pic...
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 08/25/2012 12:30 am
I've set my alarm for 3:50AM again. I was up for this morning's attempt but due to computer issues I couldn't get on the site.

Let's hope ULA has fixed the trouble and we get a launch this time :)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: ScientificMethod on 08/25/2012 02:19 am
Yeah - me too Beemer. Went down to Port Canaveral yesterday for the 2nd launch attempt, and there were probably 100 cars of people all along SR401. Great atmosphere, but of course a bit deflated to lose the launch to a beacon!

I wish either NASA or ULA or the range had been a bit more forthcoming with info today on the status of the resolution of the issue, and updated the launch blog accordingly.

Here's to 3rd time lucky!

Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/25/2012 03:11 am
Yeah - me too Beemer. Went down to Port Canaveral yesterday for the 2nd launch attempt, and there were probably 100 cars of people all along SR401. Great atmosphere, but of course a bit deflated to lose the launch to a beacon!

I wish either NASA or ULA or the range had been a bit more forthcoming with info today on the status of the resolution of the issue, and updated the launch blog accordingly.

Here's to 3rd time lucky!



2nd attempt?  There has only been one.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: ScientificMethod on 08/25/2012 06:22 am
I meant it was originally due off on Thursday, but that was pushed out due to the anomaly at the factory, so I was calling Friday the second shot, that's all.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 06:29 am
Here we go again.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 06:31 am
Countdown proceeding as planned.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 06:36 am
Starting LH2 tanking.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 06:39 am
Yesterday issue with C-band transmitter. By noon it was determined that the transponder in Atlas was slightly "out of family". It is still acceptable for flight. 45th Space Wing has brought up an additional radar, giving them added confidence.

Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 06:40 am
Looking at 40% chance of weather violation, mainly due to cumulus clouds.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 06:45 am
Atlas LO2 at 60%
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 06:53 am
Roll out video.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 06:58 am
Rex Engelhardt: "I'm bored! So that's perfect"
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 06:59 am
Centaur LH2 at 90%
Atlas LO2 at 90%
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:01 am
Preforming Centaur fill/drain valve cycle tests.
Edit: and complete.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:05 am
Atlas LO2, Centaur LO2 and LH2 all topping to flight level.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:08 am
Atlas LO2 Fill/drain valve test
Atlas airborne vent valve test
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:14 am
Really beautiful venting and LH2 vent burn-off.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:15 am
RBSP video
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:22 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 07:24 am
NASA_LSP ‏@NASA_LSP
Weather is currently a "No Go" due to violation of cumulus clouds and lightning rules. Expected clear time is 03:45 am EDT.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 07:30 am
T-12 minutes. Weather briefing next.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/25/2012 07:31 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:32 am
Weather briefing
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 07:33 am
Weather briefing notes the violation of cumulus clouds and lightning rules - hoping to see if they will move out of the way.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:34 am
Starting to loose some confidence in the weather, "it is a risk to T-0"
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 07:35 am
Still 60 percent chance of green weather at T-0.

25 minute BIH next.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 07:35 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 07:38 am
T-4 minutes and holding for 25 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/25/2012 07:39 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:45 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 07:45 am
Not the most optimistic note:

NASA ‏@NASA
#RBSP in T-4 min hold for 25 mins. Weather is "no go" for launch. "We haven't lost hope yet" says Kathy Winters of @usairforce weather squad
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 07:48 am
Weather in violation of cumulus cloud, lightning, and attached anvil rules.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:51 am
RBSP preparations video
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 07:53 am
Coming up on polling for coming out of the BIH.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 07:57 am
NASA_LSP ‏@NASA_LSP
NASA Launch Manager Tim Dunn has conducted the readiness poll .No technical issues being worked. Weather still red.

(That's one of the pre-polls, ahead of the one on the loop. Jim would explain it better, but he'll be a bit busy right now ;D)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: sdsds on 08/25/2012 07:57 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 07:58 am
Transferring spacecraft to internal Power
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 07:58 am
RBSP spacecraft going to internal power.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/25/2012 07:58 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 08/25/2012 07:58 am
Good morning everyone.

Although it does not appear to be a good morning for the launch :(
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/25/2012 08:00 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 08:00 am
Polling to come out of the hold.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:01 am
Polling to come out of the hold.

All go, apart from weather.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:01 am
"Do not release the hold".

Awaiting a new T-0.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 08:01 am
Not coming out of the BIH.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:02 am
Heh! Someone's bringing up their kid the right way!

http://twitter.com/4tuneQkie/status/239267728928669696/photo/1/large

Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/25/2012 08:02 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 08:03 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 08/25/2012 08:04 am
Heh! Someone's bringing up their kid the right way!

http://twitter.com/4tuneQkie/status/239267728928669696/photo/1/large



A future member of NSF :D
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Jeff Bingham on 08/25/2012 08:05 am
Heh! Someone's bringing up their kid the right way!

http://twitter.com/4tuneQkie/status/239267728928669696/photo/1/large



Picture of The Week material!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 08:07 am
Heh! Someone's bringing up their kid the right way!

http://twitter.com/4tuneQkie/status/239267728928669696/photo/1/large



You can never start too early... :D
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:07 am
15 minutes remaining in the window....or 15 minutes until they need to come out of the hold, I should say.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/25/2012 08:08 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 08:10 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 08:10 am
Hold extended once again.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 08:12 am
Sounds like they added another violation (field mill) in addition to the cumulus, anvil, and lightning violations. Not looking good...
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:12 am
Red on four weather rules now. Window closes at 27 minutes past the hour.

Very, very tight.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/25/2012 08:12 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: sdsds on 08/25/2012 08:13 am
Red on four weather rules now.

The added one is field mill.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:14 am
Trying to find a little extra time by only calling for the Weather status on the next poll to come out of the hold.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 08:14 am
Not going to redo the whole poll in case of a weather opening - just range and LD.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:15 am
Nine minutes remaining on having to come out of the hold.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 08:16 am
Going for the end of the window. New T-0 0827Z.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:16 am
New T-0 is right at the end of the window at 08:27 ZULU.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/25/2012 08:16 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:18 am
Five minutes to go until they have to come out of the hold.

Five minutes to clear four red weather rules....
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 08:18 am
Still pretty quiet at the pad...
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Kim Keller on 08/25/2012 08:20 am
Not gonna happen today folks.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 08:22 am
Not gonna happen today folks.
Don't be too pessimistic, we still have 1 minute to come out of the hold. ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/25/2012 08:22 am
Scrub - 24 hour recycle.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/25/2012 08:22 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 08:22 am
Scrub
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:22 am
And there's the scrub.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 08/25/2012 08:23 am
Ugh.

Trying again tomorrow
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 08:24 am
Spacecraft going back to external power
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Kim Keller on 08/25/2012 08:24 am
There goes my weekend.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 08/25/2012 08:26 am
Back to bed for me.

See you folks tomorrow, same place, same time :)
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:26 am
Okay dokey, thanks again to everyone who helped with coverage (especially Dappa :))

This is messing up the article schedule a bit, and I've got to head out, but I'll have another article on later today and then we'll come back for the next attempt tomorrow morning for this one.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/25/2012 08:29 am
Okay dokey, thanks again to everyone who helped with coverage (especially Dappa :))
You might want to find another victim for tomorrow. ;)

Still looks like she's ready to go.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/25/2012 08:35 am
William's article updated:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/08/nasa-rbsp-spacecraft-ride-ula-atlas-v/
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/25/2012 09:20 am
Launch Scrubbed by Weather Violations
Sat, 25 Aug 2012 08:26:43 AM UTC

Unfavorable weather conditions in and around Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida prompted launch managers to halt today's attempted launch of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes.

The next launch attempt currently is scheduled for Sunday at 4:07 a.m. EDT. Launch managers will meet today at 6 a.m. to assess future launch opportunities and evaluate all of the factors, including the status of the rocket and spacecraft, and the weather. An update will be provided at the conclusion of the meeting.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/25/2012 11:21 am
RBSP Launch Targeted for No Earlier Than Aug. 30
Sat, 25 Aug 2012 11:10:20 PM UTC

The launch of an Atlas V carrying NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) payload was scrubbed today due to weather conditions associated with lightning, as well as cumulus and anvil clouds. With the unfavorable weather forecast as a result of Tropical Storm Isaac, the leadership team has decided to roll the Atlas V vehicle back to the Vertical Integration Facility to ensure the launch vehicle and twin RBSP spacecraft are secured and protected from inclement weather.

Pending approval from the range, the launch is rescheduled to Thursday, Aug. 30 at 4:05 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html)
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/25/2012 02:57 pm
The 30th will be a full "space day" launches, ISS EVA etc.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: robertross on 08/25/2012 03:16 pm
Okay dokey, thanks again to everyone who helped with coverage (especially Dappa :))
You might want to find another victim for tomorrow. ;)


'hopefully' I can wake up in time

Thanks guys for the great coverage. Couldn't make this attempt, but things look promising for tomorrow morning (unless the weather looks dodgy, at which point I'll just be 'normal' and take my normal Sunday sleep in) :)

Poor Jim...(& Kim Keller). Ah well, such is the launch business. Still one of the best jobs in the world (imo).
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 08/25/2012 03:20 pm
Okay dokey, thanks again to everyone who helped with coverage (especially Dappa :))
You might want to find another victim for tomorrow. ;)


'hopefully' I can wake up in time

Thanks guys for the great coverage. Couldn't make this attempt, but things look promising for tomorrow morning (unless the weather looks dodgy, at which point I'll just be 'normal' and take my normal Sunday sleep in) :)

Poor Jim...(& Kim Keller). Ah well, such is the launch business. Still one of the best jobs in the world (imo).

Sorry Robert, the launch is now NET next Thursday.... luckily this should happen before the EVA on that day LOL.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: robertross on 08/25/2012 09:15 pm
Okay dokey, thanks again to everyone who helped with coverage (especially Dappa :))
You might want to find another victim for tomorrow. ;)


'hopefully' I can wake up in time

Thanks guys for the great coverage. Couldn't make this attempt, but things look promising for tomorrow morning (unless the weather looks dodgy, at which point I'll just be 'normal' and take my normal Sunday sleep in) :)

Poor Jim...(& Kim Keller). Ah well, such is the launch business. Still one of the best jobs in the world (imo).

Sorry Robert, the launch is now NET next Thursday.... luckily this should happen before the EVA on that day LOL.

woo hoo! I get to sleep in tomorrow!  :)

Thanks for the note. Obviously due to the impending hurricane.
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: spacetraveler on 08/26/2012 05:59 am
William's article updated:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/08/nasa-rbsp-spacecraft-ride-ula-atlas-v/

Good article, however the first part of the first sentence is not worded particularly well.

Quote
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) have been denied second attempt to launch their Atlas V
Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/27/2012 05:43 pm
Updated navigational warning for areas A & B

Quote
NAVAREA IV    477/2012(GEN). (251245Z AUG 2012)
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 300805Z TO 300925Z AUG,
   ALTERNATE 310805Z TO 310925Z AUG
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-37N 080-36W, 28-37N 080-32W,
      28-30N 080-15W, 28-29N 080-15W,
      28-29N 080-17W, 28-33N 080-34W.
   B. 23-24N 060-01W, 22-27N 057-30W,
      21-58N 057-12W, 21-37N 057-22W,
      21-37N 057-52W, 22-34N 060-22W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 461/12.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 311025Z AUG 12.

Previous area C (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=3587.msg945316#msg945316) is the subject of a separate warning with a timeslot which could now fit a Centaur deorbit
Quote
HYDROLANT   1961/2012(24,51,57). (251251Z AUG 2012)
EASTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 301935Z TO 302101Z AUG, ALTERNATE
   311935Z TO 312101Z AUG
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   02-02-15.7N 026-42-21.2W, 00-48-17.3N 016-20-04.6W,
   06-27-19.8N 015-44-33.4W, 07-39-45.7N 026-11-28.3W.
2. CANCEL HYDROLANT 1918/12.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 312201Z AUG 12.
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 30, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/27/2012 05:48 pm
screen shot taken on the 25th.

Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 30, 2012
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 08/27/2012 05:49 pm
Any plans to return the vehicle to the VIF?
Title: Re: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 30, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/27/2012 05:49 pm
Any plans to return the vehicle to the VIF?

Already there
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/28/2012 12:50 am
RBSP Teams Proceeding Toward Aug. 30 Launch Attempt
Mon, 27 Aug 2012 9:15:03 PM UTC

The launch of NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is proceeding toward an attempt on Thursday, Aug. 30, at 4:05 a.m. EDT, subject to confirmation by the U.S. Air Force's Eastern Range. The weather forecast for a Thursday launch attempt calls for a 60 percent chance of acceptable weather, with a chance of isolated showers and associated cloudiness from an approaching cold front.

On the Atlas V, the C-band beacon determined to be out of family has been removed and replaced from the top of the rocket's Centaur stage. A re-test of the new beacon was successfully completed and both spacecraft are in good health.

The rollout of the Atlas V to the pad from the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41 currently is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, and loading of the RP-1 fuel is planned to begin as soon as the vehicle has reached the pad

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/28/2012 01:14 am
ULA:

Everything is progressing well in preparation for NASA’s Atlas V RBSP launch set for Thursday, Aug. 30 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch window opens at 4:05 a.m. EDT and extends for 20 minutes. Today’s L-3 forecast shows a 60 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. 

L-2: Tuesday, Aug. 28

1 p.m.: Media arrive at the KSC News Center for transportation to view the rollout of the Atlas V rocket to the launch pad
2 p.m.: Atlas V rolls out to Space Launch Complex 41
 

L-1: Wednesday, Aug. 29

8:30 a.m.: Remote camera photographers meet at the KSC News Center to be escorted to Space Launch Complex 41 to set up cameras
 

L-0: Thursday, Aug. 30

1:30 a.m.: Live commentary will begin on NASA Television
4:05 a.m.: Opening of the launch window
 

Weather Forecast

Overall probability of violating weather constraints:  40%

Primary concern(s):  Thick Cloud

 

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay:  30%

Primary concern(s):  Thick Cloud

Title: Re: SCRUB: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes- August 25, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/28/2012 01:16 am
William's article updated:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/08/nasa-rbsp-spacecraft-ride-ula-atlas-v/

Good article, however the first part of the first sentence is not worded particularly well.

Quote
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) have been denied second attempt to launch their Atlas V

That was my fault, as I was trying to reword the abstract, shovel toast down my throat and get ready to rush off to work! ;D

Corrected it since.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: spectre9 on 08/28/2012 06:58 am
Why are thick clouds a concern?
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: sdsds on 08/28/2012 08:22 am
Why are thick clouds a concern?

Lightning.

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20110000675_2010046844.pdf, "A History of the Lightning Launch Commit Criteria and the Lightning Advisory Panel for America’s Space Program"

Quote
A launch operator must not initiate flight if the "flight path" will carry the launch vehicle through a "cloud
layer" that is either:
(1) Greater than or equal to 4,500 feet thick and any part of the "cloud layer" along the "flight path" is
located at an altitude where the temperature is between 0 degrees Celsius and −20 degrees Celsius,
inclusive; or
(2) Connected to a "thick cloud layer" that, less than or equal to 5 nautical miles from the "flight path,"
is greater than or equal to 4,500 feet thick and has any part located at an altitude where the temperature
is between 0 degrees Celsius and −20 degrees Celsius, inclusive.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/28/2012 03:44 pm
Atlas V, RBSP to Return to Launch Pad Today
Tue, 28 Aug 2012 01:05:15 PM UTC

Activity at Space Launch Complex-41 is on schedule for the rollout of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes. First motion today is planned for 2 p.m. EDT. Once at the pad, preparations will begin for the loading of storable propellant aboard the Atlas booster. The first-stage fuel is RP-1, a highly refined kerosene. Liquid oxygen is planned to start flowing into the Atlas V when the terminal countdown begins at 1:35 a.m. on Thursday morning. Liftoff is targeted for 4:05 a.m. at the start of a 20-minute window. At this time, there is a 40 percent chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria at launch time, with clouds the primary concern.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: sdsds on 08/28/2012 06:17 pm
Motion.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/28/2012 08:36 pm
Twin Probes Return to Launch Pad Aboard Atlas V
Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:32:38 PM UTC

The Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes rolled out of the United Launch Alliance Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at 1:59 p.m. EDT. It was fully secured in position on the pad at 2:57 p.m. Work is starting to load the first stage with the RP-1 fuel, a highly refined kerosene. This is customarily loaded aboard on the day of Atlas rollout.

The launch countdown is currently planned to begin at 1:35 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30. At that time, cryogenic fueling will begin to load the Atlas V with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The weather forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria due to cloud conditions at the targeted 4:05 a.m. liftoff time.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Prober on 08/28/2012 11:21 pm
just before the operation was done
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/29/2012 01:21 am
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Aug. 28, 2012) - A United Launch Alliance Atlas V stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-41 with NASA’s twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) payload. Launch is set for Thursday, Aug. 30 at 4:05 a.m. EDT. RBSP will study changes in Earth's space environment caused by the sun that can disable satellites, create power grid failures and disrupt GPS service.

 

Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance

Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: spectre9 on 08/29/2012 01:37 am
Thanks for the photos Pat.

I can see a little thick cloud to the bottom left  :D

Thanks for the explanation earlier sdsds.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Artyom. on 08/29/2012 04:23 am
Atlas V Rolled Out for Third Launch Attempt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISPtA2zxKF4&feature=g-all-u
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: sdsds on 08/29/2012 06:05 am
"Now it is night." --P.D. Eastman
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/29/2012 12:51 pm
First-Stage Fuel Loaded; Launch Weather Forecast Improves
Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:36:53 UTC

At Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex-41, loading of the RP-1 fuel aboard the United Launch Alliance Atlas V first stage was finished last night. Though it was completed late at 9:30 p.m. EDT due to weather conditions, launch preparations are on schedule this morning. The launch of NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes has been confirmed on the Eastern Range for Aug. 30 at 4:05 a.m.

The terminal countdown to load the cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen into the rocket will begin at 1:35 a.m. The launch weather forecast has improved with a 30 percent chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria on Thursday morning due to cloud conditions.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/rss_feed_collex_archive_1.html)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 08/29/2012 01:09 pm
The weather 'improves' according to the press release.  Has anyone got a likelihood of weather rules violation yet or is it too early for information like that to be available?
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/29/2012 01:21 pm
70 percent go, according to this just posted by NASA:

NASA ‏@NASA
#RBSP 1st stage tanking done. Weather is 70% go. Launch at 4:05a ET Aug. 30. NASA TV starts at 1:30a Aug. 30.  http://go.nasa.gov/POIaeo
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 08/29/2012 11:04 pm
70 percent go, according to this just posted by NASA:

NASA ‏@NASA
#RBSP 1st stage tanking done. Weather is 70% go. Launch at 4:05a ET Aug. 30. NASA TV starts at 1:30a Aug. 30.  http://go.nasa.gov/POIaeo

70% go means it is worth my while. See you for launch :)
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Jim on 08/30/2012 01:30 am
There is something special about a night launch on the Cape.
The pad search lights that you can see for miles in the the sky
Gantries and tall facilities outlined in red lights
The air field beacon sweeping its green and white light.
The lighthouse light blinking in the distance.
Hazardous facilities have their red, yellow or green lights on
And finally, the pad bathed in search lights.
 
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: robertross on 08/30/2012 01:37 am
There is something special about a night launch on the Cape.
The pad search lights that you can see for miles in the the sky
Gantries and tall facilities outlined in red lights
The air field beacon sweeping its green and white light.
The lighthouse light blinking in the distance.
Hazardous facilities have their red, yellow or green lights on
And finally, the pad bathed in search lights.
 

Look at that, Jim's a romantic at heart  ;)  :)

Hope all goes well tomorrow morning!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: spectre9 on 08/30/2012 01:47 am
Sounds incredible Jim. Hope I am there to experience it some day.

T-6 hours 18 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: robertross on 08/30/2012 03:10 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: robertross on 08/30/2012 03:11 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 05:33 am
Third time's the charm?
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 05:39 am
Readiness poll for cryogenic tanking: everything is ready, standing by to pick up the count.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 05:40 am
T-2:00:00 and counting
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 05:47 am
Video op roll back.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 05:50 am
And back to the pad. MLP looks a bit rusty.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 05:50 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 05:53 am
Centaur LO2 transfer line chilldown complete. Start Centaur LO2 tanking.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: sdsds on 08/30/2012 05:59 am
Centaur LO2 at 10%.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:00 am
Oh yeah, starting to vent a little.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:05 am
Centaur LO2 at 30%
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: sdsds on 08/30/2012 06:09 am
Nothing on the radar.

EDIT: Wind speeds of 11 knots or less.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:10 am
Centaur LH2 storage tank at chilldown pressure.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:21 am
Centaur LO2 an 95%; topping started.
Atlas showing a little ice.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:23 am
More venting and more ice.
Atlas LO2 at 10%
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:28 am
Why is the ring in the middle of the Atlas LO2 tank not yet icing over?
Atlas LO2 at 20%
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:30 am
Initiating Centaur engine chilldown.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:36 am
T-1:05:00
Atlas LO2 at 40%
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:39 am
LH2 chilldown complete. Starting LH2 tanking.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Kim Keller on 08/30/2012 06:40 am
Why is the ring in the middle of the Atlas LO2 tank not yet icing over?
Atlas LO2 at 20%

LOX level hasn't reached that high yet.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:47 am
Why is the ring in the middle of the Atlas LO2 tank not yet icing over?
Atlas LO2 at 20%

LOX level hasn't reached that high yet.
I know, the middle part is probably around the 50% LO2 level. However, ice was already visible above and below that ring. So something's different in that part of the structure, and I'm wondering what that is.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:48 am
Centaur LH2 at 40%
Atlas LO2 at 70%
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Kim Keller on 08/30/2012 06:53 am
I know, the middle part is probably around the 50% LO2 level. However, ice was already visible above and below that ring. So something's different in that part of the structure, and I'm wondering what that is.

There wasn't ice above the bare metal; that was the white-painted ISA.

Edit: Oh, I see what you're talking about: that very thin ring. That is a splice ring; the thicker structure takes longer to develop ice.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 06:59 am
Centaur LH2 at 97%; topping started.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 07:04 am
Oh, I see what you're talking about: that very thin ring. That is a splice ring; the thicker structure takes longer to develop ice.
That's what I suspected, thanks for confirming that.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 07:05 am
Morning. :)

L-60 mins.

Breakfast polling.
GO for breakfast! :D
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 07:08 am
Meanwhile, Atlas LO2 Fill/drain valve test, and Atlas airborne vent valve test are preformed.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 07:10 am
There's an 80% chance of acceptable weather conditions for launch now!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 07:18 am
Atlas LO2 Fill/drain valve test complete
Atlas airborne vent valve test complete
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/30/2012 07:27 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 07:29 am
Weather briefing next.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 07:30 am
"ULA ‏@ulalaunch
RT @45thspacewing: Weather odds just jumped up to 90 percent favorable for this morning's launch window! #RBSP"

Nice!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/30/2012 07:31 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 07:31 am
Weather brief confirms. Nothing on the radar, all looking good for launch.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 07:32 am
L-35 minute weather briefing. Currently go on all constraints.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 07:34 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 07:36 am
T-4 mins and holding for a 25 minute BIH.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 07:40 am
Statistics
- 63rd ULA launch
- 7th ULA launch of year
- 32nd launch of Atlas 5
- 614th flight of an Atlas
missed the rest
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/30/2012 07:42 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 07:44 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 07:49 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 07:51 am
Coming up on polling to come out of the hold.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/30/2012 07:55 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/30/2012 07:57 am
Transfer spacecraft to internal power
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Silmfeanor on 08/30/2012 07:58 am
polling!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 07:58 am
polling
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 07:58 am
Polling.

All GO to come out of the BIH.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 07:59 am
Polling is go. Good to come out of the hold.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/30/2012 08:00 am
Spacecraft are now on internal power
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:01 am
T-4 mins and COUNTING.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:01 am
T-4 minutes and counting.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:01 am
T-4 minutes and counting.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:02 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/30/2012 08:02 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:02 am
Atlas tanks to flight pressure.

FTS on internal power.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:03 am
Topping, securing and pressurization on the tanks.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:03 am
T-2 mins.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/30/2012 08:03 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:03 am
Vehicle on internal power.

Centaur tanks securing.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:03 am
Launch enable, FTS armed.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:04 am
Launch enable. FTS armed.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:04 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:04 am
70 seconds
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:04 am
T-60 seconds. Range Green.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:05 am
Go Atlas, Go Centaur!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:05 am
T-25 seconds.
GO Atlas! GO Centaur!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:05 am
Liftoff!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:05 am
LAUNCH!!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:05 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:06 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:06 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:06 am
Max-Q.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:06 am
Terrorizing clouds going uphill.

MaxQ.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:06 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:06 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:07 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:07 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:07 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:07 am
11.2 miles altitude, 8.1 miles downrange.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:07 am
Nominal first stage. Wild visualizations with the clouds.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:07 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:08 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:08 am
RCS pressurizing.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:08 am
31 miles altitude, 15.5 miles downrange, speed 5,083 mph.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:08 am
5G throttling segment of the first stage flight.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:09 am
5G throttling.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:09 am
STAGING.

1-2 Sep. Second Stage ignition.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:09 am
Boost phase chilldown complete.

Throttling to 4.6Gs.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:09 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:09 am
Centaur ignition.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:09 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:10 am
Fairing jettison.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:10 am
Fairing separation.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:10 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:11 am
106 miles altitude, 429 miles downrange, speed 11,794 mph.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:11 am
+0.36-sigma high on Atlas performance.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Silmfeanor on 08/30/2012 08:11 am
more information on centaur stage performance and subsystems compared to what we get normally?
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:11 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:12 am
128 miles altitude, 603 miles downrange, speed 12,175 mph.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:12 am
Centaur systems looking good.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:12 am
more information on centaur stage performance and subsystems compared to what we get normally?
I think more than on a DoD mission.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:13 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:13 am
129 miles altitude, 875 miles downrange, 12,844 mph.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:14 am
Five mins to the end of the first burn.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:14 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:14 am
5 minutes to first Centaur shutdown.

Centaur systems working as expected.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Silmfeanor on 08/30/2012 08:14 am
more information on centaur stage performance and subsystems compared to what we get normally?
I think more than on a DoD mission.

I mean the talk about the changing mixture ratios to consume excess oxidizer, the helium levels being mentioned - can't remember that from things like curiousity - I might jus be mistaken, of course.

I like it! Go Centaur!  ;D
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:15 am
159.5 miles altitude, 1,270 miles downrange, 13,989 mph.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:16 am
more information on centaur stage performance and subsystems compared to what we get normally?
I think more than on a DoD mission.

I mean the talk about the changing mixture ratios to consume excess oxidizer, the helium levels being mentioned - can't remember that from things like curiousity - I might jus be mistaken, of course.

I like it! Go Centaur!  ;D
I think you might be right. :D

3 minutes remain in this burn
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:16 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:17 am
152 miles altitude, 1,783 miles downrange, speed 15,640 mph.

Some replays airing on the KSC AE video feed.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:17 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:18 am
In orbit.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:18 am
Centaur now in orbit.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:19 am
MECO
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:19 am
Centaur MECO.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:19 am
Starting to roll. Coasting for 56 mins.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:19 am
Beginning PTC (passive thermal control) roll to 1.5 deg/second.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Silmfeanor on 08/30/2012 08:20 am
replays coming up!

I really liked the "release" voice on liftoff  :D
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:21 am
Through the cloud
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:22 am
replays coming up!

I really liked the "release" voice on liftoff  :D
I laughed at the bird that was flying over the pad at T-10 seconds. :D
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:25 am
T+20 minutes.

More replays (UCS-3):
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:26 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:27 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:28 am
SLC-41 PAO VIF camera:
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:29 am
Didn't catch which camera this was:
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:29 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:30 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:32 am
KSC TV Van 2:
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:32 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 08:32 am
replays coming up!

I really liked the "release" voice on liftoff  :D

Agreed! Reminded me a bit of the guy who shouted TOWER CLEAR! During Apollo! :D

Testing a screenshot program:
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:33 am
Centaur systems continue to look good.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Satori on 08/30/2012 08:33 am
Exact launch time according to NASA ELV Countdown Portal was 0805:27.029UTC.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:34 am
UCS-3 Ground Camera:
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:34 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:35 am
SLC-41 PAO Ground Cam:
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:35 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 08/30/2012 08:35 am
Late night, early morning, tired.
GO for nap! See you in a bit guys.

One more replay of ignition (it's green ;D).
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:36 am
Beginning PTC roll reversal.

UCS-23 Tracker Camera:
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:37 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 08:38 am
And that's it for the replays.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Silmfeanor on 08/30/2012 08:39 am
One more replay of ignition (it's green ;D).

The engine uses a hypergol ignition system using approximately a 50/50 mixture of tri-ethyl boron and tri-ethyl aluminum which ignites spontaneously on contact with liquid oxygen. This hypergol provides all the energy necessary to get the engine started...

Good ol' TEA-TEB - SpaceX uses the same if I remember correctly.
Go for breakfast now, was putting it off because of the launch.

Also, centaur now flying sideways / backwards?
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 08:41 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: John44 on 08/30/2012 09:03 am
Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Launch
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7807

Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Launch Replays
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7808
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Silmfeanor on 08/30/2012 09:04 am
Centaur still operating nominally, NasaTV still showing replays
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Artyom. on 08/30/2012 09:06 am
Launch video on YouTube  :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7IioB_SWpo&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z70ZW5uCimk&feature=g-all-u
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:11 am
4 minutes to second Centaur start.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:12 am
Centaur despin complete. Reorienting to ignition attitude.

2 minutes to start.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 09:13 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:13 am
Full 4-S (?) settling.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 09:14 am
Second ignition of the Centaur.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:15 am
Centaur MES-2.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:16 am
Mixture ratio controlling away from oxidizer-rich.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 09:16 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:18 am
1 minute to shutdown.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:19 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 09:19 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:20 am
Centaur MECO.

Reorienting to S/C separation attitude.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 09:20 am
Shutdown of the Centaur.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 09:20 am
Big attitude change. RL-10 pointing away from Earth.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:22 am
+0.12 km from target perigee, -12.8 km from target apogee.

Edit: km, not mi.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:22 am
Beginning spin-up for spacecraft A sep.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 09:23 am
Spinning up.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 09:24 am
First S/C Sep!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:24 am
Spacecraft A separation!

Centaur de-spinning.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 09:25 am
RBSP-A sep!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:25 am
Reorienting for delta-v burn.

Edit: not for S/C B sep.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:30 am
Centaur in 100% 4-S settling burn to add delta-v for RBSP-B separation.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:32 am
Finished delta-v burn.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:34 am
Centaur now in RBSP-B sep attitude. Beginning spin-up to 30 deg/sec.
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:36 am
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 09:36 am
And there's the second S/C Sep!

Congrats to all involved. Centaur had a little dance in space there!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Nick L. on 08/30/2012 09:37 am
RBSP-B separation!

Congratulations to everyone involved!

Centaur reorienting for a deorbit burn (36 seconds).
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 09:37 am
RBSP-B sep!
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 09:41 am
AFAIU, Centaur de-orbit splash in the Atlantic should take place at around 1935UTC
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 10:01 am
United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket Successfully Launches NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission

 

Atlas V and Delta IV Celebrate a Decade of Successful Launches

 

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (Aug. 30, 2012) – A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) spacecraft for NASA lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 here at 4:05 a.m. EDT today. This is ULA’s 7th launch of the year, the 32nd Atlas V launch and marked the 63rd launch since ULA was formed in December 2006.

"The ULA team and our many mission partners are very proud of our role in delivering the twin RBPS spacecraft to orbit to conduct research about our space weather and gather important data that impacts our everyday life on Earth,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations. “The successful launch of this mission is a tribute to the partnerships with the highly skilled and professional teams from NASA’s Launch Services Program and The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.”

This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V EELV 401 configuration vehicle, which includes a 4-meter diameter payload fairing. The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine and the Centaur upper stage was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10A-4 engine.

RBSP will explore space weather -- changes in Earth's space environment caused by the sun -- that can disable satellites, create power grid failures, and disrupt GPS service. The mission also will allow researchers to understand fundamental radiation and particle acceleration processes throughout the universe.

            Since the inaugural flights in 2002, Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles have delivered more than 50 critical capabilities including vital national security missions for the U.S. Air Force and National Reconnaissance Office, science and exploration payloads for NASA and commercial imaging and communications satellites.  “Just last week the ULA team celebrated the 10th anniversary of the first Atlas V launch,” said Sponnick. “In the last decade, the Atlas V and Delta IV EELV systems have demonstrated outstanding success in launching our customer’s missions.” 

            ULA’s Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles provide a 33 percent cost savings over heritage launch systems and are the most commercially developed vehicles flying today with Lockheed Martin and The Boeing Company having funded 80 percent of their development.

Developed by the United States 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 heritage launch systems. 

ULA's next launch is the Atlas V NROL-36 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office planned for Sept. 13 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

            ULA program management, engineering, test, and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo.  Manufacturing, assembly and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., and Harlingen, Texas. Launch operations are located at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

            Since 1998, NASA’s Launch Services Program has been based at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., and provides oversight as the designs of the rocket and mission are integrated with each other.

For more information on ULA, visit the ULA Web site 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 and twitter.com/ulalaunch.

Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 10:02 am
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2012) – A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at 4:05 a.m. EDT with NASA’s twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission. This is ULA’s 7th launch of the year, the 32nd Atlas V launch and marked the 63rd launch since ULA was formed in December 2006. RBSP will explore space weather changes in Earth's space environment caused by the sun that can disable satellites, create power grid failures and disrupt GPS service.

 

Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance

Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 10:04 am
William's article updated:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/08/nasa-rbsp-spacecraft-ride-ula-atlas-v/
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: jacqmans on 08/30/2012 10:09 am
RELEASE: 12-289

NASA LAUNCHES RADIATION BELT STORM PROBES MISSION

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), the first
twin-spacecraft mission designed to explore our planet's radiation
belts, launched into the predawn skies at 4:05a.m. EDT Thursday from
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

"Scientists will learn in unprecedented detail how the radiation belts
are populated with charged particles, what causes them to change and
how these processes affect the upper reaches of the atmosphere around
Earth," said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASA's
Science Mission Directorate at Headquarters in Washington. "The
information collected from these probes will benefit the public by
allowing us to better protect our satellites and understand how space
weather affects communications and technology on Earth."

The two satellites, each weighing just less than 1,500 pounds,
comprise the first dual-spacecraft mission specifically created to
investigate this hazardous regions of near-Earth space, known as the
radiation belts. These two belts, named for their discoverer, James
Van Allen, encircle the planet and are filled with highly charged
particles. The belts are affected by solar storms and coronal mass
ejections and sometimes swell dramatically. When this occurs, they
can pose dangers to communications, GPS satellites and human
spaceflight.

"We have never before sent such comprehensive and high-quality
instruments to study high radiation regions of space," said Barry
Mauk, RBSP project scientist at the Johns Hopkins University's
Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md. "RBSP was crafted to
help us learn more about, and ultimately predict, the response of the
radiation belts to solar inputs."

The hardy RBSP satellites will spend the next 2 years looping through
every part of both Van Allen belts. By having two spacecraft in
different regions of the belts at the same time, scientists finally
will be able to gather data from within the belts themselves,
learning how they change over space and time. Designers fortified
RBSP with special protective plating and rugged electronics to
operate and survive within this punishing region of space that other
spacecraft avoid. In addition, a space weather broadcast will
transmit selected data from those instruments around the clock,
giving researchers a check on current conditions near Earth.

"The excitement of seeing the spacecraft in orbit and beginning to
perform science measurements is like no other thrill," said Richard
Fitzgerald, RBSP project manager at APL. "The entire RBSP team, from
across every organization, worked together to produce an amazing pair
of spacecraft."

RBSP was lifted into orbit aboard an Atlas V 401 rocket from Space
Launch Complex-41, as the rocket's plume lit the dark skies over the
Florida coast. The first RBSP spacecraft is scheduled to separate
from the Atlas rocket's Centaur booster 1 hour, 18 minutes, 52
seconds after launch. The second RBSP spacecraft is set to follow 12
minutes, 14 seconds later. Mission controllers using APL's 60-foot
satellite dish will establish radio contact with each probe
immediately after separation.

During the next 60 days, operators will power up all flight systems
and science instruments and deploy long antenna booms, two of which
are more than 54 yards long. Data about the particles that swirl
through the belts, and the fields and waves that transport them, will
be gathered by five instrument suites designed and operated by teams
at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark; the University
of Iowa in Iowa City; University of Minnesota in Minneapolis; and the
University of New Hampshire in Durham; and the National
Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Va. The data will be analyzed by
scientists across the nation almost immediately.

RBSP is the second mission in NASA's Living With a Star (LWS) program
to explore aspects of the connected sun-Earth system that directly
affect life and society. LWS is managed by the agency's Goddard Space
Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. APL built the RBSP spacecraft and
will manage the mission for NASA. NASA's Launch Services Program at
Kennedy is responsible for launch management. United Launch Alliance
provided the Atlas V launch service.

For more information about NASA's RBSP mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/rbsp



Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: John44 on 08/30/2012 10:16 am
Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Separation
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7809
Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 11:13 am
USSTRATCOM has catalogued a first object (at epoch Aug 30, 0916UTC)
  • 38752/ 2012-046A in 584.0 x 30539.9 km x 10.08°
  • Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: robertross on 08/30/2012 11:26 am
    You guys rock. Great coverage, thanks!

    Congrats to the ULA teams that made that a success.

    Jim, you can sleep now!  :)
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: AnalogMan on 08/30/2012 01:41 pm
    Twin Probes are Healthy as Mission Begins
    Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:07:41 PM UTC+0100

    NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes are flying in Earth orbit after a successful liftoff and ascent this morning. The probes launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 4:05 a.m. EDT after a smooth countdown at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The probes were released from the rocket's Centaur upper stage one at a time and sent off into different orbits, kicking off the two-year mission to study Earth's radiation belts.

    "I'm very happy to report that we have two happy spacecraft on orbit," said Rick Fitzgerald, RBSP project manager from the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, which is managing the mission for NASA. "Many thanks to ULA and Launch Services Program for getting us on orbit, giving us a great ride and injecting us in exactly the orbit that we wanted to be in."

    During the RBSP mission, the identical twin spacecraft will fly in separate orbits throughout the inner and outer Van Allen radiation belts that encircle the Earth. The sun influences the behavior of the radiation belts, which in turn can impact life on Earth and endanger astronauts and spacecraft in orbit.

    "Today, 11 years of hard work was realized by the science team as a number of us stood together watching the rocket lift off the pad," said Nicky Fox, RBSP deputy project scientist from APL. "(The spacecraft) are now at home in the Van Allen belts where they belong, and we can all finally breathe out now that solar panels are out on both of them."

    The spacecraft will go through a 60-day commissioning period before beginning its prime mission.

    "Now that the spacecraft are safely in orbit, the real fun begins," said Mike Luther, deputy associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "After the commissioning period, we get to then begin to perform the most detailed study of Earth's radiation belts that's ever been undertaken."

    http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/rbsp/main/index.html
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: wolfpack on 08/30/2012 01:49 pm
    Congrats to all for getting this one off! Good work! :)
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: spectre9 on 08/30/2012 02:16 pm
    Another great launch by the fantastic folks at ULA and NASA.

    So do the spacecraft get names like Ebb & Flow did now?
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 02:45 pm
    USSTRATCOM has catalogued a first object (at epoch Aug 30, 0916UTC)
  • 38752/ 2012-046A in 584.0 x 30539.9 km x 10.08°
  • Now a second object (same epoch 0916:56UTC)
  • 38753/ 2012-046B in 582.4 x 30536.5 km x 9.97°
  • Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2012 03:39 pm
    and Object C (presumably Centaur in a re-entry track)
  • 38754/ 2012-046C in -220.5 x 36062.4 km x 10.26° (@epoch 0918:55UTC)
  • Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/30/2012 04:10 pm
    Ben Cooper....that's all I need to say to make you click this set of frakking amazing photos! ;D

    http://www.launchphotography.com/RBSP.html
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: robertross on 08/30/2012 04:18 pm
    Ben Cooper....that's all I need to say to make you click this set of frakking amazing photos! ;D

    http://www.launchphotography.com/RBSP.html

    Wow. Stellar.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: jacqmans on 08/30/2012 05:01 pm
    News Release Issued: August 30, 2012 11:26 AM EDT

    ATK Technologies Support United Launch Alliance Atlas V Launch
    ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) composite technology supported the successful August 30 launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The ULA Atlas V rocket launched the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission for NASA.  RBSP is designed to help understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the Earth's radiation belts on various scales of space and time. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing and a single-engine Centaur upper stage, with no solid rocket boosters.

    Using advanced fiber placement manufacturing techniques, ATK produced the 10-foot diameter composite heat shield that provides essential protection for the first stage of the launch vehicle, fabricated by ATK at its Clearfield, Utah, facility. This is the 32nd Atlas V launch using ATK-built composite structures. 
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: ScientificMethod on 08/31/2012 12:43 am
    Congratulations to NASA and ULA for an awesome launch.

    Is there anywhere where I can look at the attitudes and burn details for the primary and Centaur stages? I'm interested in the inclination change that the Centaur was able to achieve - i.e. where was the burn and what orientation to do this. (I use Orbiter 2010 simulator, so I'm pretty familiar with the orbital elements, but don't know where to get the attitude and burn data).
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: input~2 on 08/31/2012 05:19 pm
    AFAIU, Centaur de-orbit splash in the Atlantic should take place at around 1935UTC
    USSTRATCOM has confirmed that Centaur (2012-046C) decayed on August 30.
    From the  last available orbital data, it went down to an altitude of 80km at 1941UTC
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: jacqmans on 11/07/2012 09:06 pm
    MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-213

    NASA CEREMONY TO RENAME TWIN EARTH RADIATION BELT SPACECRAFT

    WASHINGTON -- Media representatives are invited to attend a ceremony
    to announce the renaming of NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes
    (RBSP). The event takes place Nov. 9 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 pm EST, at
    the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in
    Building 200, 11101 Johns Hopkins Rd., Laurel, Md.

    Along with the announcement of a new name and presentations
    highlighting the spacecraft's commissioning activities, there will be
    a tour of the RBSP mission operation facilities.

    The ceremony's speakers include:
    -- John Grunsfeld, astronaut and associate administrator, Science
    Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington
    -- Ralph Semmel, director, APL
    -- Mona Kessel, RBSP program scientist, NASA Headquarters
    -- Rick Fitzgerald, Space Department program area manager, APL

    To attend the event or for dial-in information, reporters must send
    their name, media affiliation and telephone number to
    [email protected] by 10 a.m. Nov. 9.

    Launched on Aug. 30, 2012, the RBSP mission comprises the first
    dual-spacecraft mission specifically created to investigate the
    radiation belts that surround Earth. These two belts, named for their
    discoverer, James Van Allen, encircle the planet and are filled with
    highly charged particles. The belts are affected by solar storms and
    coronal mass ejections and sometimes swell dramatically. When this
    occurs, they can pose dangers to communications, GPS satellites and
    human spaceflight activities.

    For information about NASA's RBSP mission, visit:

    http://www.nasa.gov/rbsp
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: spectre9 on 11/08/2012 01:51 am
    Thanks, that's the update I've been waiting for  8)

    That little sample of chorus was eerie.

    I'm starting to see the value in this mission. Certainly applicable to exploration as humans will be passing through the radiation belts.

    Keep up the good work APL and NASA  ;D
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: catdlr on 11/09/2012 07:05 pm
    NASA | The Van Allen Probes - Instrument Overview

    Published on Nov 9, 2012 by NASAexplorer
    Dr. David Sibeck explains the instruments on the twin Van Allen Probes (formerly the Radiation Belt Storm Probe, RBSP).

    The Van Allen Probes will explore the Van Allen Radiation Belts in the Earth's magnetosphere. The charged particles in these regions can be hazardous to both spacecraft and astronauts.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU-2BWMBzhs
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: jacqmans on 11/09/2012 09:38 pm
    RELEASE: 12-392

    NASA RENAMES RADIATION BELT MISSION TO HONOR PIONEERING SCIENTIST

    WASHINGTON -- NASA has renamed a recently launched mission that
    studies Earth's radiation belts as the Van Allen Probes in honor of
    the late James Van Allen. Van Allen was the head of the physics
    department at the University of Iowa who discovered the radiation
    belts encircling Earth in 1958.

    The new name of the mission, previously called the Radiation Belt
    Storm Probes (RBSP), was announced Friday during a ceremony at the
    Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel,
    Md.

    "James Van Allen was a true pioneer in astrophysics," said John
    Grunsfeld, astronaut and associate administrator for NASA's Science
    Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "His
    ground breaking research paved the way for current and future space
    exploration. These spacecraft now not only honor his iconic name but
    his mark on science."

    During his career, Van Allen was the principal investigator for
    scientific investigations on 24 Earth satellites and planetary
    missions, beginning with the first successful American satellite,
    Explorer I, and continuing with Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11. He also
    helped develop the first plans for an International Geophysical Year
    was held in 1957. Van Allen, who worked at APL during and after World
    War II, also is credited with discovery of a new moon of Saturn in
    1979, as well as radiation belts around that planet.

    Launched Aug. 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the
    Van Allen Probes comprise the first dual-spacecraft mission
    specifically created to investigate the radiation belts that surround
    Earth. These two belts encircle the planet and are filled with highly
    charged particles.

    The belts are affected by solar storms and coronal mass ejections and
    sometimes swell dramatically. When this occurs, they can pose dangers
    to communications, GPS satellites and human spaceflight activities.

    "After only two months in orbit, the Van Allen Probes have made
    significant contributions to our understanding of the radiation
    belts," says APL Director Ralph Semmel. "The science and data from
    these amazing twin spacecraft will allow for more effective and safe
    space technologies in the decades to come. APL is proud to have built
    and to operate this new resource for NASA and our nation, and we are
    proud to have the mission named for one of APL's original staff."

    Operators have powered up all flight systems and science instruments
    on the probes. Data about the particles that swirl through the belts,
    and the fields and waves that transport them, are being gathered by
    five instrument groups designed and operated by teams at the New
    Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark; University of Iowa in Iowa
    City; University of Minnesota in Minneapolis; University of New
    Hampshire in Durham; and the National Reconnaissance Office in
    Chantilly, Va.

    The probes will spend two years looping through every part of both Van
    Allen belts. By having two spacecraft in different regions of the
    belts at the same time, scientists finally will be able to gather
    data from within the belts themselves, learning how they change over
    space and time. In addition, a space weather broadcast will transmit
    selected data from those instruments around the clock, giving
    researchers a check on current conditions near Earth.

    The Van Allen Probes comprise the second mission in NASA's Living With
    a Star program to explore aspects of the connected sun-Earth system
    that directly affect life and society. The program is managed by
    NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

    For more information about NASA's Van Allen Probes mission, visit:

    http://www.nasa.gov/vanallenprobes
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: Star One on 12/04/2012 05:28 pm
    Quote
    Two new NASA probes that are flying through the belts of radiation surrounding Earth have found that these regions change more rapidly than previously thought.

    The Van Allen Probes — a pair of twin spacecraft formerly known as the Radiation Belt Storm Probes — launched Aug. 30, and turned on their instruments two days later. Since then, the spacecraft have returned unprecedented measurements of the zones of charged particles, called the Van Allen radiation belts, around our planet. In these zones,trillions of high-energy particles released by the sun are trapped by Earth's magnetic field.

    http://www.space.com/18756-van-allen-radiation-belt-probes-findings.html
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: catdlr on 02/25/2013 07:36 pm
    Feb. 25, 2013
     
    MEDIA ADVISORY : M13-036
     
     
    NASA Announces Media Briefing on New Van Allen Probes Results
     
     
    WASHINGTON -- NASA will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. EST, Thursday, Feb. 28, to discuss new observations from NASA's twin Van Allen Probes, which are studying Earth's radiation belts. The briefing will be held at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Kossiakoff Center, 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd., in Laurel, Md.

    The new observations have been embargoed by the journal Science until the start of the news conference, which will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

    The briefing panelists are:

    -- Mona Kessel, Van Allen Probes program scientist, NASA Headquarters, Washington
    -- Dan Baker, director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder
    -- Nicola Fox, Van Allen Probes deputy project scientist, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Md.
    -- Joe Kunches, space scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, Boulder, Colo.

    Journalists unable to attend in-person can ask questions via Twitter after 2 p.m. Feb. 28 using the hashtag #askNASA. To participate by phone, reporters must contact Geoff Brown at 240-228-5618 or [email protected] with their media affiliation no later than 10 a.m., Feb. 28.

    For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:

    http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


    For more information about NASA's Van Allen Probes mission, visit:

    http://www.nasa.gov/vanallenprobes

     
    - end -
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: catdlr on 02/28/2013 10:34 pm
    Feb. 28, 2013
     
    RELEASE : 13-065
     
     
    NASA's Van Allen Probes Reveal a New Radiation Belt Around Earth
     
     
    WASHINGTON -- NASA's Van Allen Probes mission has discovered a previously unknown third radiation belt around Earth, revealing the existence of unexpected structures and processes within these hazardous regions of space.

    Previous observations of Earth's Van Allen belts have long documented two distinct regions of trapped radiation surrounding our planet. Particle detection instruments aboard the twin Van Allen Probes, launched Aug. 30, quickly revealed to scientists the existence of this new, transient, third radiation belt.

    The belts, named for their discoverer, James Van Allen, are critical regions for modern society, which is dependent on many space-based technologies. The Van Allen belts are affected by solar storms and space weather and can swell dramatically. When this occurs, they can pose dangers to communications and GPS satellites, as well as humans in space.

    "The fantastic new capabilities and advances in technology in the Van Allen Probes have allowed scientists to see in unprecedented detail how the radiation belts are populated with charged particles and will provide insight on what causes them to change, and how these processes affect the upper reaches of Earth's atmosphere," said John Grunsfeld, NASA's associate administrator for science in Washington.

    This discovery shows the dynamic and variable nature of the radiation belts and improves our understanding of how they respond to solar activity. The findings, published Thursday in the journal Science, are the result of data gathered by the first dual-spacecraft mission to fly through our planet's radiation belts.

    The new high-resolution observations by the Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope (REPT) instrument, part of the Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma Suite (ECT) aboard the Van Allen Probes, revealed there can be three distinct, long-lasting belt structures with the emergence of a second empty slot region, or space, in between.

    "This is the first time we have had such high-resolution instruments look at time, space and energy together in the outer belt," said Daniel Baker, lead author of the study and REPT instrument lead at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado in Boulder. "Previous observations of the outer radiation belt only resolved it as a single blurry element. When we turned REPT on just two days after launch, a powerful electron acceleration event was already in progress, and we clearly saw the new belt and new slot between it and the outer belt."

    Scientists observed the third belt for four weeks before a powerful interplanetary shock wave from the sun annihilated it. Observations were made by scientists from institutions including LASP; NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.; Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, N.M.; and the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

    Each Van Allen Probe carries an identical set of five instrument suites that allow scientists to gather data on the belts in unprecedented detail. The data are important for the study of the effect of space weather on Earth, as well as fundamental physical processes observed around other objects, such as planets in our solar system and distant nebulae.

    "Even 55 years after their discovery, the Earth's radiation belts still are capable of surprising us and still have mysteries to discover and explain," said Nicky Fox, Van Allen Probes deputy project scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. "We thought we knew the radiation belts, but we don't. The advances in technology and detection made by NASA in this mission already have had an almost immediate impact on basic science."

    The Van Allen Probes are the second mission in NASA's Living With a Star Program to explore aspects of the connected sun-Earth system that directly affect life and society. Goddard manages the program. The Applied Physics Laboratory built the spacecraft and manages the mission for NASA.

    For more information on the Van Allen Probes, visit:

    http://www.nasa.gov/vanallenprobes

     
    - end -
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: catdlr on 03/01/2013 04:44 am
    NASA's Van Allen Probes Discover Third Belt Around Earth

    Published on Feb 28, 2013
    In a briefing held Feb. 28 at the Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory, scientists detail the finding by NASA's Van Allen Probes of a previously-undetected third radiation belt around Earth.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dux2ofFHs90
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: QuantumG on 03/01/2013 05:52 am
    That was pretty good.

    Can anyone recommend a good general reference for the radiation belts? I periodically go looking for one and don't tend to find anything worth mentioning.

    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: catdlr on 03/01/2013 06:21 pm
    NASA Hangout: Van Allen Probes Discoveries

    NASAexplorer·  No description available

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf2Ik5FT9w8
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: eeergo on 04/30/2014 06:37 am
    Sorry to revive this thread, but there isn't one in the Space Science section, and I figured it was quite late to start one now.

    The mission has been declared a full success (although it is not yet over) and there is a very comprehensible, yet in-depth review of its major and latest findings in Patrick Blau's SpaceFlight101: http://www.spaceflight101.com/rbsp-mission-updates.html

    Most interesting are the discovery of a third, transient radiation belt, the mechanism controlling ultra-relativistic vs just-relativistic electron dynamics in the belts, and the synergy with Antarctica-based balloon experiments (BARREL) to understand where these particles go.

    This not only has implications for the Earth environment and space weather predictions, but also plasma physics in general and other planetary magnetospheres in particular! :O
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: Star One on 03/15/2017 08:54 pm
    Relativistic Electrons Uncovered with NASA’s Van Allen Probes

    Quote
    Earth’s radiation belts, two doughnut-shaped regions of charged particles encircling our planet, were discovered more than 50 years ago, but their behavior is still not completely understood. Now, new observations from NASA’s Van Allen Probes mission show that the fastest, most energetic electrons in the inner radiation belt are not present as much of the time as previously thought. The results are presented in a paper in the Journal of Geophysical Research and show that there typically isn’t as much radiation in the inner belt as previously assumed — good news for spacecraft flying in the region.

    Past space missions have not been able to distinguish electrons from high-energy protons in the inner radiation belt. But by using a special instrument, the Magnetic Electron and Ion Spectrometer — MagEIS — on the Van Allen Probes, the scientists could look at the particles separately for the first time. What they found was surprising —there are usually none of these super-fast electrons, known as relativistic electrons, in the inner belt, contrary to what scientists expected.

    “We’ve known for a long time that there are these really energetic protons in there, which can contaminate the measurements, but we’ve never had a good way to remove them from the measurements until now,” said Seth Claudepierre, lead author and Van Allen Probes scientist at the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California.

    Of the two radiation belts, scientists have long understood the outer belt to be the rowdy one. During intense geomagnetic storms, when charged particles from the sun hurtle across the solar system, the outer radiation belt pulsates dramatically, growing and shrinking in response to the pressure of the solar particles and magnetic field.  Meanwhile, the inner belt maintains a steady position above Earth’s surface. The new results, however, show the composition of the inner belt isn’t as constant as scientists had assumed.

    Ordinarily, the inner belt is composed of high-energy protons and low-energy electrons. However, after a very strong geomagnetic storm in June 2015, relativistic electrons were pushed deep into the inner belt.

    The findings were visible because of the way MagEIS was designed. The instrument creates its own internal magnetic field, which allows it to sort particles based on their charge and energy. By separating the electrons from the protons, the scientists could understand which particles were contributing to the population of particles in the inner belt.

    “When we carefully process the data and remove the contamination, we can see things that we’ve never been able to see before,” said Claudepierre. “These results are totally changing the way we think about the radiation belt at these energies.”

    Given the rarity of the storms, which can inject relativistic electrons into the inner belt, the scientists now understand there to typically be lower levels of radiation there — a result that has implications for spacecraft flying in the region. Knowing exactly how much radiation is present may enable scientists and engineers to design lighter and cheaper satellites tailored to withstand the less intense radiation levels they’ll encounter.

    In addition to providing a new outlook on spacecraft design, the findings open a new realm for scientists to study next.

    “This opens up the possibility of doing science that previously was not possible,” said Shri Kanekal, Van Allen Probes deputy mission scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, not involved with the study. “For example, we can now investigate under what circumstances these electrons penetrate the inner region and see if more intense geomagnetic storms give electrons that are more intense or more energetic.”

    The Van Allen Probes is the second mission in NASA’s Living with a Star Program and one of many NASA heliophysics missions studying our near-Earth environment. The spacecraft plunge through the radiation belts five to six times a day on a highly elliptical orbit, in order to understand the physical processes that add and remove electrons from the region.

    https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/relativistic-electrons-uncovered-with-nasa-s-van-allen-probes
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: Star One on 05/17/2017 07:16 pm
    NASA's Van Allen Probes Spot Man-Made Barrier Shrouding Earth
    Humans have long been shaping Earth’s landscape, but now scientists know we can shape our near-space environment as well. A certain type of communications — very low frequency, or VLF, radio communications — have been found to interact with particles in space, affecting how and where they move. At times, these interactions can create a barrier around Earth against natural high energy particle radiation in space. These results, part of a comprehensive paper on human-induced space weather, were recently published in Space Science Reviews.

    “A number of experiments and observations have figured out that, under the right conditions, radio communications signals in the VLF frequency range can in fact affect the properties of the high-energy radiation environment around the Earth,” said Phil Erickson, assistant director at the MIT Haystack Observatory, Westford, Massachusetts.

    VLF signals are transmitted from ground stations at huge powers to communicate with submarines deep in the ocean. While these waves are intended for communications below the surface, they also extend out beyond our atmosphere, shrouding Earth in a VLF bubble. This bubble is even seen by spacecraft high above Earth’s surface, such as NASA’s Van Allen Probes, which study electrons and ions in the near-Earth environment.

    The probes have noticed an interesting coincidence — the outward extent of the VLF bubble corresponds almost exactly to the inner edge of the Van Allen radiation belts, a layer of charged particles held in place by Earth’s magnetic fields. Dan Baker, director of the University of Colorado’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics in Boulder, coined this lower limit the “impenetrable barrier” and speculates that if there were no human VLF transmissions, the boundary would likely stretch closer to Earth. Indeed, comparisons of the modern extent of the radiation belts from Van Allen Probe data show the inner boundary to be much farther away than its recorded position in satellite data from the 1960s, when VLF transmissions were more limited.

    With further study, VLF transmissions may serve as a way to remove excess radiation from the near-Earth environment. Plans are already underway to test VLF transmissions in the upper atmosphere to see if they could remove excess charged particles — which can appear during periods of intense space weather, such as when the sun erupts with giant clouds of particles and energy.

    https://youtu.be/cFYoYUBGw4s

    https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/nasas-van-allen-probes-spot-man-made-barrier-shrouding-earth
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: S.Paulissen on 05/17/2017 07:20 pm
    NASA's Van Allen Probes Spot Man-Made Barrier Shrouding Earth
    ***SNIP***

    Super cool and impactful findings.  Aurora-watchers may lament this decades from now /facetious.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: Star One on 05/17/2017 07:22 pm
    NASA's Van Allen Probes Spot Man-Made Barrier Shrouding Earth
    Humans have long been shaping Earth’s landscape, but now scientists know we can shape our near-space environment as well. A certain type of communications — very low frequency, or VLF, radio communications — have been found to interact with particles in space, affecting how and where they move. At times, these interactions can create a barrier around Earth against natural high energy particle radiation in space. These results, part of a comprehensive paper on human-induced space weather, were recently published in Space Science Reviews.

    “A number of experiments and observations have figured out that, under the right conditions, radio communications signals in the VLF frequency range can in fact affect the properties of the high-energy radiation environment around the Earth,” said Phil Erickson, assistant director at the MIT Haystack Observatory, Westford, Massachusetts.

    VLF signals are transmitted from ground stations at huge powers to communicate with submarines deep in the ocean. While these waves are intended for communications below the surface, they also extend out beyond our atmosphere, shrouding Earth in a VLF bubble. This bubble is even seen by spacecraft high above Earth’s surface, such as NASA’s Van Allen Probes, which study electrons and ions in the near-Earth environment.

    The probes have noticed an interesting coincidence — the outward extent of the VLF bubble corresponds almost exactly to the inner edge of the Van Allen radiation belts, a layer of charged particles held in place by Earth’s magnetic fields. Dan Baker, director of the University of Colorado’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics in Boulder, coined this lower limit the “impenetrable barrier” and speculates that if there were no human VLF transmissions, the boundary would likely stretch closer to Earth. Indeed, comparisons of the modern extent of the radiation belts from Van Allen Probe data show the inner boundary to be much farther away than its recorded position in satellite data from the 1960s, when VLF transmissions were more limited.

    With further study, VLF transmissions may serve as a way to remove excess radiation from the near-Earth environment. Plans are already underway to test VLF transmissions in the upper atmosphere to see if they could remove excess charged particles — which can appear during periods of intense space weather, such as when the sun erupts with giant clouds of particles and energy.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFYoYUBGw4s

    https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/nasas-van-allen-probes-spot-man-made-barrier-shrouding-earth

    Super cool and impactful findings.  Aurora-watchers may lament this decades from now.

    Was intrigued by the idea of using VLF as some kind of space weather shield.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: edkyle99 on 05/17/2017 09:12 pm
    Was intrigued by the idea of using VLF as some kind of space weather shield.
    I wonder what a VLF array on Mars could do.  Could it help rebuild the atmosphere, or is a strong magnetic field needed to begin with?

     - Ed Kyle
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: AncientU on 05/18/2017 12:11 am
    Was intrigued by the idea of using VLF as some kind of space weather shield.
    I wonder what a VLF array on Mars could do.  Could it help rebuild the atmosphere, or is a strong magnetic field needed to begin with?

     - Ed Kyle

    Even if it didn't help rebuild the atmosphere (which it might -- great idea), could help provide global cosmic ray shielding for future Martian populations.  Or possibly a local bubble for each settlement.  Sure would save a lot of regolith moving or tunneling.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: guckyfan on 05/18/2017 08:22 am
    I understand that it may help against solar storms, but would not stop GCR unfortunately. What stops GCR is not even a magnetic field. It is mostly mass of the atmosphere here on earth. It will need mass on Mars too. Mass that can reduce GCR will easily handle solar events.

    It might help out for crew outside when a storm hits unexpected to get them to shelter.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/14/2019 03:16 pm
    https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2019/nasa-s-van-allen-probes-begin-final-phase-of-exploration-in-earths-radiation-belts

    Feb. 12, 2019

    NASA’s Van Allen Probes Begin Final Phase of Exploration in Earth's Radiation Belts

    Two tough, resilient, NASA spacecraft have been orbiting Earth for the past six and a half years, flying repeatedly through a hazardous zone of charged particles around our planet called the Van Allen radiation belts. The twin Van Allen Probes, launched in August 2012, have confirmed scientific theories and revealed new structures and processes at work in these dynamic regions. Now, they're starting a new and final phase in their exploration.

    On Feb. 12, 2019, one of the twin Van Allen Probes begins a series of orbit descent maneuvers to bring its lowest point of orbit, called perigee, just under 190 miles closer to Earth. This will bring the perigee from about 375 miles to about 190 miles — a change that will position the spacecraft for an eventual re-entry into Earth's atmosphere about 15 years down the line.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/14/2019 04:39 pm
    Beginning of the end: NASA's Van Allen probes prepare for mission’s end -

    https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/02/beginning-end-nasas-van-allen-probes-missions-end/

    - By Chris Gebhardt

    https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1096101501154590720
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: darkenfast on 02/14/2019 06:31 pm
    Chris, who's is the lead artwork on that article?  It's a beautiful picture.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: ddunham on 02/14/2019 08:11 pm
    I don't understand.  If the craft is going to lose power next year, how will it be able to perform a controlled re-entry in 2034?  Is the press release talking about a "controlled reentry" just using that phrase loosely or is there something else happening?
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/14/2019 08:14 pm
    Chris, who's is the lead artwork on that article?  It's a beautiful picture.

    Johns Hopkins APL.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/14/2019 08:22 pm
    I don't understand.  If the craft is going to lose power next year, how will it be able to perform a controlled re-entry in 2034?  Is the press release talking about a "controlled reentry" just using that phrase loosely or is there something else happening?

    By lowering perigee to 190 miles now, NASA knows how atmospheric drag during each perigee will lower the apogee of each orbit.  Eventually, by 2034, the atmospheric drag will circularize the orbit and degrade quickly from there for atmospheric entry.

    Lower perigee now allows for the reentry timeline to be understood - controlled - instead of leaving the probes to slowly decay over tens to hundreds of years.

    Instead, NASA is controlling the reentry by lowering the probes' perigees now so the probes are on understood, increasingly lower orbits that will eventually circularize low enough to degrade quickly for destructive reentry.

    To this point, their EOM characteristics and reentries are controlled.  "Controlled" doesn't always mean firing an engine to hit a precise point in the atmosphere at a precise second.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: jcm on 02/14/2019 10:33 pm
    I don't understand.  If the craft is going to lose power next year, how will it be able to perform a controlled re-entry in 2034?  Is the press release talking about a "controlled reentry" just using that phrase loosely or is there something else happening?

    By lowering perigee to 190 miles now, NASA knows how atmospheric drag during each perigee will lower the apogee of each orbit.  Eventually, by 2034, the atmospheric drag will circularize the orbit and degrade quickly from there for atmospheric entry.

    Lower perigee now allows for the reentry timeline to be understood - controlled - instead of leaving the probes to slowly decay over tens to hundreds of years.

    Instead, NASA is controlling the reentry by lowering the probes' perigees now so the probes are on understood, increasingly lower orbits that will eventually circularize low enough to degrade quickly for destructive reentry.

    To this point, their EOM characteristics and reentries are controlled.  "Controlled" doesn't always mean firing an engine to hit a precise point in the atmosphere at a precise second.

    Yes, this bothers me. It it stretching the usual definition of "controlled reentry".  This is more like "assured reentry". It's like the Iridiums. We need different technical terms for the two cases, because one ensures no-one will get hit, and the other doesn't.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: niwax on 02/15/2019 08:04 am
    Is there a particular reason these probes carry so little fuel to return? They were 1500kg on an Atlas V 401, so not mass limited and they only need a few m/s more to return to denser atmosphere from that highly eccentric orbit.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: Jim on 02/15/2019 11:48 am
    Is there a particular reason these probes carry so little fuel to return? They were 1500kg on an Atlas V 401, so not mass limited and they only need a few m/s more to return to denser atmosphere from that highly eccentric orbit.

    What do you mean "to return"?

    Yes, there was a mass limit, look at the operational orbit.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: niwax on 02/15/2019 02:09 pm
    Is there a particular reason these probes carry so little fuel to return? They were 1500kg on an Atlas V 401, so not mass limited and they only need a few m/s more to return to denser atmosphere from that highly eccentric orbit.

    What do you mean "to return"?

    Yes, there was a mass limit, look at the operational orbit.

    They lowered their orbit from 30414x618 to 30414x305. It just seems odd to me that they carry enough fuel to lower their orbit to somewhere that will take 30+ years to come down and cross everything from LEO constellations to GPS. If you really care about deorbiting, going down to 100km would take an additional 8m/s at apogee, a difference of some 5kg of hydrazine.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: gwiz on 02/15/2019 02:55 pm
    The satellites are still working, so they don't want to end their missions immediately.  This ensures they will decay in a reasonable timescale without halting the mission.  I imagine that if there is some later problem that permanently disables the scientific payload, they could command a manoeuvre that would lead to immediate decay.
    Title: Re: LIVE: Atlas V 401- Radiation Belt Storm Probes - August 30, 2012
    Post by: Sam Ho on 02/15/2019 03:28 pm
    They lowered their orbit from 30414x618 to 30414x305. It just seems odd to me that they carry enough fuel to lower their orbit to somewhere that will take 30+ years to come down and cross everything from LEO constellations to GPS. If you really care about deorbiting, going down to 100km would take an additional 8m/s at apogee, a difference of some 5kg of hydrazine.
    The satellites are still working, so they don't want to end their missions immediately.  This ensures they will decay in a reasonable timescale without halting the mission.  I imagine that if there is some later problem that permanently disables the scientific payload, they could command a manoeuvre that would lead to immediate decay.
    Yes, it's a tradeoff.  Orbital debris guidelines say LEO disposal orbits should have a lifetime of less than 25 years.  The target orbit has a lifetime of about 15 years, requires 2kg of propellant to get to, and leaves enough propellant for about another year of operations.  The deorbit burn needs to be done when the spacecraft spin axis, which points at the Sun, lines up with the velocity vector at apogee; this happens once or twice a year.  If they waited another year, there might not be enough propellant to complete the deorbit burn. 

    The originally planned deorbit burn was larger, and would have left the spacecraft in an orbit with about a 5-month lifetime, but that was based off a 2-year mission.

    Radiation Belt Storm Probes—Observatory and Environments
    Kirby, K., Artis, D., Bushman, S. et al. Space Sci Rev (2013) 179: 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-012-9949-2

    Table 15: Propellant budget

    Propellant budget
    ΔV
    Propellant
    Mission—Phasing/Collision Avoidance
    2.4 m/s
    0.8 kg
    G&C—Precession
    -13.3 kg
    G&C—Spinup/Spindown
    -0.3 kg
    Mission—Deorbit
    59.6 m/s
    18.3 kg
    Additional N2H4 to fill tanks
    -23.3 kg
    Residual propellant
    -0.5 kg
    Total propellant mass
    -56.5 kg
    Total GN2 pressurant mass
    -0.5 kg