LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012

[Chris Bergin]

ULA:

 

 

L-0: Tuesday, Dec. 11

-          11 a.m.: 45th SW/PA and ULA Communications meet media in the Space Florida parking lot for escort to media launch viewing site

-          The OTV-3 launch will be carried live beginning 20 minutes prior to launch and will conclude approximately 20 minutes after launch. A simulcast of the broadcast can be viewed here: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml.

 

Weather Forecast

Overall probability of violating weather constraints:  70%;

Primary concern(s):  Lightning, Cumulus Cloud, Disturbed Weather, Thick

Cloud

 

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay:

70%;

Primary concern(s):  Lightning, Cumulus Cloud, Disturbed Weather, Thick

Cloud

[Chris Bergin]

ULA: Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. (Dec. 10, 2012) -  The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Air Force’s third Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-3) stands ready for launch from its Space Launch Complex-41 launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Tomorrow’s launch window opens at 1:03 p.m. EST. The OTV, also known as the X-37B, supports space experimentation, risk reduction, and concept of operations development for long duration and reusable space vehicle technologies. Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.

[Ben the Space Brit]

Overall probability of violating weather constraints:  70%;

I'd say that at least a 24-hour hold is indicated here.  Unless the forecast clears up fairly quickly, 70/30 is very steep odds.

[Targeteer]

Overall probability of violating weather constraints:  70%;

I'd say that at least a 24-hour hold is indicated here.  Unless the forecast clears up fairly quickly, 70/30 is very steep odds.

Predicting weather accurately at the Cape has been historically difficult.  Numerous Shuttle launch attempts show that so holding beforehand is probably unwarranted until you get closer to launch time.

[cygnusx112]

Overall probability of violating weather constraints:  70%;

I'd say that at least a 24-hour hold is indicated here.  Unless the forecast clears up fairly quickly, 70/30 is very steep odds.

Predicting weather accurately at the Cape has been historically difficult.  Numerous Shuttle launch attempts show that so holding beforehand is probably unwarranted until you get closer to launch time.

If weather ends up being an issue Tuesday and Wednesday, do you know if they would make a third attempt on Thursday? Or would they stand down and make the next attempt on Friday? Thanks!

[Prober]

something interesting in this from the ULA site

note the colors in the exhaust trail, the colors are upside down.  A hidden meaning?

[robertross]

something interesting in this from the ULA site

note the colors in the exhaust trail, the colors are upside down.  A hidden meaning?

Selling out to the French perhaps? LOL  (j/k)

[kevin-rf]

Hyperspectral?

[Targeteer]

Probably a stupid question--but why does OTV need a shroud?
It obviously has the structural and thermal protection capability to survive re-entry just like the space shuttle.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Probably a stupid question--but why does OTV need a shroud?
It obviously has the structural and thermal protection capability to survive re-entry just like the space shuttle.

Aerodynamic loads on the OTV at launch and max-q. IIRC, back in the NASA-managed days it was once planned to launch without the should on a Delta II.

[Art LeBrun]

ASSET (small / Thor boosted) flew without a shroud but PRIME (Atlas boosted) used a shroud. Not sure of the reasons.

[Antares]

I think it can be safe to say the report will say (much) more than just "a fuel leak occurred in a specific area of the interior of the thrust chamber"

Why do you think that's "safe to say"?

[Antares]

Most likely the fairing is not protecting the payload in this case.  It's protecting the rocket from the payload.  Cheaper to launch an outer mold line that's already been analyzed.

[joek]

I think it can be safe to say the report will say (much) more than just "a fuel leak occurred in a specific area of the interior of the thrust chamber"

Why do you think that's "safe to say"?

A hope and a guess, but maybe something as to the root cause, and why there is confidence that it won't occur again?  Or are we asking for too much?

[robertross]

[Rocket Science]

ASSET (small / Thor boosted) flew without a shroud but PRIME (Atlas boosted) used a shroud. Not sure of the reasons.

I would say that using a shroud simplifies the equation for the guidance system on the Altas. Less eye candy for us though...

[Chris Bergin]

Moved for live coverage.

[brettreds2k]

Good picture from the video feed with 39A in the background.

[spectre9]

An Atlas V launch?

I remember these 

[Hunts Villain]

Weather currently green, but no change in 70% POV for the early part of the window.  Gets worse as front moves north and showers and clouds move closer.  Similar conditions expected tomorrow.

Disabled sailboat being towed in by USCG, no issue for the window.