NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => ULA - Delta, Atlas, Vulcan => Topic started by: jacqmans on 02/28/2013 08:26 am
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On February 20 the first stage (CBC) was deliverd for this launch in 2013.
Photos: Air Force Space and Missile Museum
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That ad with the dogs behind the wheel made me laugh after seeing the CBC on the transport.
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Boeing Ships 6th Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite for Launch
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 17, 2013 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] is progressing with the expansion of the U.S Defense Department's highest capacity communications satellite constellation, recently shipping its sixth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite, pictured here in the company's El Segundo facility, for a scheduled launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., later this year.
Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Air Force on WGS-6, the Australian Defence Force will have global access to the WGS on-orbit constellation.
This is the second WGS satellite Boeing has delivered for launch this year. WGS-5 is ready to launch on May 22.
WGS-6 will undergo tests, fueling and integration in Titusville, Fla., before being launched. Once in service, the satellite will expand bandwidth capacity, coverage and flexibility for American and allied military forces.
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ULA @ulalaunch
A ULA first - Wet Dress Rehearsal (WGS6, Aug. 7) on same day as roll to pad for Friday Atlas V launch with MUOS2.#AtlasV #deltaIV#MUOS #WGS
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Per the ULA mission page (http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Launch.shtml#/41/), the launch is scheduled at 8:29 - 9:18 pm EDT on August 7 (00:29 - 01:18 UTC August 8).
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Australia-funded WGS-6 Seen as Model for Future U.S. Military Constellations
http://www.spacenews.com/article/military-space/36452australia-funded-wgs-6-seen-as-model-for-future-us-military#.UfD_kNJSjW4
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SOURCE United Launch Alliance
Picture: July 17th, 2013 - ULA Delta 363 WGS-6 in the foreground performing WDR at SLC-37, CCAFS, FL with ULA Atlas AV-040 MUOS-2 rolling to the pad at SLC-41, CCAFS, FL which launched on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 9:00am EDT. Credit: ULA, ulalaunch.com
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Launch kit was just release.
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"First Space Shuttle Atlantis Commander, Karol "Bo" Bobko will assist with commentary for the launch." - KSCVC
I'm ready!
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ULA:
Everything is proceeding for the Air Force’s sixth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-6) launch. The mission is set to liftoff on a ULA Delta IV on Wednesday, Aug. 7 from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The 49-minute launch window opens at 8:29 p.m. EDT. Today’s L-4 forecast shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
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"First Space Shuttle Atlantis Commander, Karol "Bo" Bobko will assist with commentary for the launch." - KSCVC
I'm ready!
They are referring to those watching in person at the complex, not the ULA broadcast.
I know. Just thought that was cool. :)
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ULA @ulalaunch
The ULA Launch Readiness Review is complete. We are GO! for #WGS6 launch on a #DeltaIV tomorrow. Launch window opens at 8:29 pm EDT.
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I hope she goes on schedule Wednesday night. My family and I will be grabbing a spot at Port Canaveral for the launch. I just have to borrow a tripod (again) and try to obtain some pictures.
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From the ULA photos page.......
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Go the kangaroo :)
It's nice to see the contributing country recognised :)
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Moved for live coverage.
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Webcast for the launch will begin at 8:09 PM EDT.
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The Mobile Service Tower began rolling back from the ULA #DeltaIV with #WGS6 at 10:27 am EDT pic.twitter.com/RyrLfGnCzk
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And we have tower roll! First motion at 10:27 a.m. Looking forward to tonight's launch of #WGS6. @ulalaunch pic.twitter.com/pqFo2cQvUw
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Spaceflight Now @SpaceflightNow
The @ulalaunch Delta 4 rocket stands poised to launch the #WGS6 satellite tonight from Cape Canaveral. pic.twitter.com/RM1PB8lrSl
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Todd Halvorson:
Delta IV propellant-loading held up by ULA launch director. Awaiting readiness of the military satellite onboard. Report due soon.
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Todd Halvorson:
Delta IV launch director is GO for fuel-loading. He was awaiting a readiness call from managers responsible for the military comsat onboard
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ULA:
Here are photos and a caption from tower rollback this morning. First motion of the tower was at 10:27 a.m.
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2013) - A United Launch Alliance Delta IV stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-37 with the Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-6) payload. Wideband Global SATCOM provides anytime, anywhere communication for the warfighter through broadcast, multicast and point to point connections.
Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance
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And here's the expansive launch preview/overview from William Graham!
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/08/ula-delta-iv-launch-wgs-6/
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Current live streaming of the loading:
Remember, live commentary begins 20 minutes before liftoff, planned time is 8:29pm EDT.
Update at 7:39pm EDT: L-50 minutes and counting. The sun is slowly sinking for our post-sunset launch.
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toxic cloud hazard slide
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LCC team on console
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The RS-68 first stage main engine spin start system has been pressurized.
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First commanding tests for the vehicle steering systems are complete.
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Where is the livestream? The ULA home page doesn't have a livestream link yet.
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Where is the livestream? The ULA home page doesn't have a livestream link yet.
I'm using:
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Webcast.shtml
and:
http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d363/status.html
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The rocket looks great with the Florida sun setting.
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Everything still looks good for a 8:29 p.m launch time.
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From SpaceFlightNow..
Now moving into the final 45 minutes of the countdown to launch.
This launch will deliver to orbit the sixth satellite in the Wideband Global SATCOM series, this one being the paid contribution from the Australian Defence Force to join the system.
"The cooperation we've had with Australia has been extremely successful," said Dave Madden, the MILSATCOM director at the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center.
"It really helps all parties. It brings down our overall operating costs to operate the constellation and provides the capabilities to the U.S. (and) it provides critical capability that Australia needed to support its infrastructure as well as its warfighters. Third, it created interoperability between our forces. When we are deployed together we are operating on the same system. It really was a win-win, I believe, for all parties."
The Boeing Company builds the craft.
WGS 6 was completed in the factory last August and entered storage awaiting launch. Boeing shipped the satellite from its factory in El Segundo to Cape Canaveral on May 16. Fueling was completed June 11 and encapsulation in the shroud that will cover it during launch was finished June 21.
On July 23, the spacecraft was transported from the Astrotech processing facility in Titusville to Complex 37 where it was hoisted atop the Delta 4 rocket.
The company has four additional WGS satellites in the pipeline for more WGS launches starting in 2015.
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20 minutes til commentary begins.
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10 minutes til commentary.
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Now time for some numbers..
Today's launch is..
The 363rd Delta rocket launch since 1960
The 23rd Delta 4 rocket mission since 2002
The 32nd RS-68 main engine used
The 33rd-36th GEM-60 solid rocket motors flown
The 438th production RL10 engine to be launched
The 26th RL10B-2 engine launched
The 19th Delta 4 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral
The 19th use of Delta 4 by the Air Force
The fourth Medium+ 5,4 configuration to fly
The 62nd Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle flight
The 73rd United Launch Alliance mission since 2006
The 16th Delta 4 under the ULA banner
The 7th ULA launch this year
The 2nd launch of the Delta family in 2013
The 6th Wideband Global SATCOM satellite
The 3rd Block 2 WGS satellite
The 4th WGS on Delta 4
From SFN.
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Final weather briefing says all conditions are GO!!
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Load relief file has been transmitted to the Delta 4's computer.
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Here we go!
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ULA webcast now live.
There she is.
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Here we go...
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Commentator took a breath and then stopped.
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L-17 minutes
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"Get to the Choppa!!"
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In the count hold.
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L-15 minutes.
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I guess the PAO mike isn't a constraint for launch. ;)
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T-4 minute master script running.
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Commenter's back! :)
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PAO finally showed up... having technical difficulties with the PAO console. ;D
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Launch dedicated to Joel Phillips.
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In tribute...
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Hopefully he won't call it an RS-27A this time...
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That road is seemingly close to the launch pad - and cars are still driving on it!
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Nice shadow.
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Load relief checksum loaded into the RIFCA.
Checksum 54F9.
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Final status check coming up.
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In the control room.
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Polling to come out of the BIH.
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GO to come out of the hold and proceed to terminal count!
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Go to come out of the hold.
Pulling swing arm lock pins.
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Go to proceed.
L-6 mins.
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Final polling in works.. Go.. Go.. Go.. All GO!!
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t-4.
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T-4 mins and counting.
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T-4 minutes and counting.
Vehicle going to internal power.
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CBC prop securing.
Vehicle on internal power.
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Vehicle ordnance armed.
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T-120 seconds.
TPA spin up, hydraulics at 4000 psi.
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T-2
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T-1:30.
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90 seconds.
Range Green.
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L-60 seconds.
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T-60 seconds.
Range is go.
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Range GREEN.
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Launch enable.
Green board. Flight lock-in.
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t-30
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T-10
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LIFTOFF! Go Delta! Go WGS-6!
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Liftoff!
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LAUNCH!!
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T+36 seconds.
Mach 1.
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Max-Q.
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MaxQ
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SRB Burnout & Jettison:
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SRM sep.
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Boosters are gone.
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Booster jettison.
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Vehicle weighs half of what it did at launch.
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Everything's going good.
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Maximum fairing skin temperature.
72.4 nm downrange.
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Fairing sep.
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Payload fairing jettison.
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Partial thrust mode.
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MECO.
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MECO and staging.
NEDS deploy and second stage start.
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good chamber pressure of second stage
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Good staging!
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All systems nominal.
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Burning for approximately 20 minutes.
Cutting to an interview.
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Aussie Major!
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240 mi altitude.
Speed 10920 mph.
930 mi downrange.
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Talking about Australian and US partnership.
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Speed 12000 mph.
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All systems nominal.
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1500 miles downrange.
Speed 12500 mph.
CRDs commanded off.
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Cutting to a WGS promo video. (looks like the same one as last time)
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Watching video highlights for our armed services.
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"Go Wideband!" :)
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That was very SpaceXey!
"Go wideband, whooooooooooooooop!" ;D
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Back to live coverage.
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Perigee positive.
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Less than 2 minutes remaining in burn.
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2 minutes to go in this burn.
Altitude 117.3 nm
Speed 17949 mph.
2803 nm downrange.
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All systems nominal.
less than 1 minute in burn
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T+20 minutes.
Altitude 105 nm.
3113 nm downrange.
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SECO-1.
EMAs locked.
Orbit 3713x100 nm at 25.594 degrees.
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SECO
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6 min until second burn of second stage
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ACS jets 10 and 12 on for settling.
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Under 2 minutes for 2nd burn.
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EMAs unlocked.
Second stage ignition.
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Little over 3 minutes in this burn.
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Second burn in progress.
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Less than 2 minutes remaining in burn.
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T+30 minutes.
Apogee really climbing.
C-band beacon off.
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Altitude 348 nm.
21082 mph.
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1.5 minutes left in burn.
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400 nm altitude.
5989 nm downrange.
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SECO 2 confirmed
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SECO-2.
EMAs locked.
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SECO.
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9 min coast phase
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Now in coast phase.
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parameters at SECO
36127 X 237 NM 24.008 degrees
versus planned of
238.5 X 36145.5 nm 24 degrees
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Orbit currently appears to be 36103x237nm at 24.003 degrees.
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Sat sep in three minutes.
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Less than a minute til payload sep.
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Less than 90 seconds to S/C sep.
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Spacecraft separation!
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good s/c sep.
congrats ULA!
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Payload seperation!
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S/C Sep. Congrats to all concerned!
Thanks to everyone who provided coverage! :)
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Signing off!
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Great launch ULA!
And great coverage everyone!
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Next up, NROL-65 ;D
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William Graham's highly informative (the most informative article you'll find on the interweb, even if ULA are obsessed with retweeting tiny rehashed versions of their press releases - it makes my teeth itch!) article - updated post launch:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/08/ula-delta-iv-launch-wgs-6/
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Congrats, well done to all the teams! Thanks for the great coverage. :)
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William Graham's highly informative (the most informative article you'll find on the interweb, even if ULA are obsessed with retweeting tiny rehashed versions of their press releases - it makes my teeth itch!) article - updated post launch:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/08/ula-delta-iv-launch-wgs-6/
Time for some new reading material..
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Congratulations, ULA!
I continue to be impressed by the Delta second stage. It looks so small in the animations, yet it can seemingly burn forever.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2013) – A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket successfully launched the sixth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-6) satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 8:29 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. This is ULA’s seventh launch in 2013, the 73rd launch since the company was formed in December 2006, and the second WGS mission launch this year. Wideband Global SATCOM provides anytime, anywhere communication for the warfighter through broadcast, multicast, and point to point connections. WGS is the only military satellite communications system that can support simultaneous X and Ka band communications.
Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Wideband Global SATCOM Mission for U.S. Air Force in Less Than Three Months
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (Aug. 7, 2013) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the sixth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-6) satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 8:29 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. This is ULA’s seventh launch in 2013, the 73rd launch since the company was formed in December 2006, and the second WGS mission launch this year.
"Congratulations to the entire team on today’s successful launch of the WGS-6 satellite. As with the previous five WGS missions, we have enjoyed a very strong partnership with the Air Force and all of our missions partners throughout this launch campaign,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs. “We were honored to launch the first two WGS satellites on our Atlas V vehicle and the next four satellites in the constellation on our Delta IV vehicle, delivering critical communications capability to orbit to support our nation’s warfighters throughout the world.”
This mission was launched aboard a Delta IV Medium-plus configuration vehicle using a single ULA common booster core powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine, along with four ATK GEM 60 solid rocket motors. The five-meter diameter upper stage was powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10B-2 engine with the satellite encapsulated in a five-meter diameter composite payload fairing. The WGS-6 launch marked the fourth flight of the Delta IV medium+ (5,4) configuration and the 23rd flight of the Delta IV family of launch vehicles.
“WGS was the first of the constellation of satellites to launch on both the Delta IV and Atlas V vehicles,” said Sponnick. “This team’s ability to integrate and launch satellites successfully and efficiently on two launch systems provides operational flexibility to our customers.”
Wideband Global SATCOM provides anytime, anywhere communication for the warfighter through broadcast, multicast, and point to point connections. WGS is the only military satellite communications system that can support simultaneous X and Ka band communications.
ULA's next launch is the Delta IV Heavy NROL-65 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office scheduled on Aug. 28, from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
The EELV program was established 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.
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Congrats to ULA 8) !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WL9CSrxpeE
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsUNjhotUxg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsUNjhotUxg)
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Credit: ULA
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxQQbi8v_dk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxQQbi8v_dk)
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Congrats ULA!!! Great launch!
Quick solid jettison question. Watching the launch last night it seemed like one solid hung longer than the others.
Was it:
Solids are jettisoned one at a time and not in pairs?
Camera angle made it look like it hung?
It actually was late releasing?
I need a new set of eyeballs?
Just curious.
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Congrats ULA!!! Great launch!
Quick solid jettison question. Watching the launch last night it seemed like one solid hung longer than the others.
Was it:
Solids are jettisoned one at a time and not in pairs?
Camera angle made it look like it hung?
It actually was late releasing?
I need a new set of eyeballs?
Just curious.
I think the illusion is that the 3rd appears to come off earlier than it does.
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ATK Technologies Support Launch of ULA's Delta IV Rocket Carrying WGS-6
ATK's Role Includes Propulsion, Composite Structures and Satellite Components
ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) propulsion, composite and spacecraft technologies supported today's successful launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This rocket carried a Wideband Global SATCOM satellite (WGS-6) into orbit for the U.S. Air Force.
WGS-6 is the sixth satellite delivered by prime contractor Boeing as part of the WGS system that provides flexible, high-capacity communications for the nation's warfighters. WGS is the Department of Defense's highest capacity communications satellite providing high data rate and long-haul communications for soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen worldwide.
"ATK is proud to leverage our engineering and manufacturing expertise to support the Delta IV launch vehicle and WGS-6 satellite," said Blake Larson, president of ATK Aerospace Group. "We are deeply committed to delivering affordable innovation that will help the warfighters."
This was the fourth time the Delta IV medium-plus rocket featured four ATK 60-inch diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM-60). The 53-foot-long motors were mounted in pairs on opposing sides of the rocket, with one fixed and one vectorable nozzle per side. They burned for 90 seconds and provided more than 1.1 million pounds of thrust to assist delivery of the WGS-6 satellite to its determined orbit. The composite cases, nose cones and aeroskirts for the GEM motors were fabricated at ATK's Clearfield, Utah, facility. The solid rocket motors were produced at ATK's Magna, Utah, facility. ATK has manufactured 58 GEM-60 boosters for the Delta IV launch vehicle since the initial flight in 2002.
For the Delta IV medium-plus launch vehicle itself, ATK supplied nine key composite structures, including:
The Interstage that provides the interface between the Common Booster Core and the cryogenic second stage;
A Centerbody that integrates the liquid oxygen (LO2) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks;
A Thermal Shield that protects the RS-68 engine during ignition and flight, and an LO2 Skirt;
The five-meter-diameter composite payload Fairing; and
A variety of required hardware for payload integration, such as Nose Cap, X-Panels, Payload Attach Fitting, and Payload Attach Fitting Diaphragm. The structures are five meters in diameter and range from one to 15 meters in length. They are all produced using advanced hand layup, machining and inspection techniques at ATK's manufacturing facility in Iuka, Miss., with the exception of the X-Panels, which are produced at ATK's facility in Clearfield, Utah.
The nozzle for Delta IV's RS-68 engine was designed and manufactured at ATK's Promontory, Utah, facility. The Aerojet Rocketdyne-built RS-68 is the largest hydrogen-fueled engine in the world. ATK also designed and produced the nozzle's thermal protection material, which is capable of shielding the nozzle from the extreme heat of launch when external temperatures can exceed 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
ATK also provided the propellant tank for the Delta IV upper stage roll control system. The tank was manufactured at ATK's Commerce, Calif., facility.
For the WGS-6 satellite, ATK provided thermal control hardware manufactured at ATK's Beltsville, Md., facility. ATK's Magna, Utah, location fabricated components that provide stable support for the deployable antenna pallet.
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Ben Cooper's photos.....frak me! :D
http://www.launchphotography.com/WGS-6.html
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Ben Cooper's photos.....frak me! :D
http://www.launchphotography.com/WGS-6.html
Man knows how to use to camera!
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That second one is a totally new composition: Due to the long exposure, the plume can be seen drifting from its original position.
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Military Communication Improved as 6th Boeing-built Wideband Satellite Enters Service
WGS-6 last spacecraft in Block II series
Future WGS spacecraft to include more bandwidth
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 12, 2013 – The sixth Boeing [NYSE: BA] Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite, funded by the Commonwealth of Australia – the program’s first partner outside the United States – has been delivered on orbit to the U.S. Air Force, boosting communications capabilities for the U.S. military and its allies.
Australia’s funding of the spacecraft provided the Australian Defence Force with immediate access to the WGS network. WGS-6 launched Aug. 7 and is the second WGS satellite delivered to the Air Force this year.
“The first six WGS satellites are giving warfighters quick and reliable access to information, and we continue our commitment to providing the same level of quality and value on the remaining WGS satellites,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems.
Four additional WGS satellites are in production in El Segundo under the program’s Block II follow-on contract. WGS-8 and beyond will include an upgraded digital channelizer, which will increase the satellite’s bandwidth by more than 90 percent.
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Boeing Transmits Protected Government Signal Through Military Satellite
New anti-jam technology has transmitted on wideband and commercial satellite platforms
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 13, 2014 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has applied new anti-jamming technology to an existing military satellite for the first time, expanding the military's potential to access secure communications more affordably.
In the test conducted Dec. 15, Boeing successfully sent a government-developed, protected signal through the sixth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-6) satellite. Engineers confirmed that the signal met all targets for accuracy and strength. The demonstration follows a successful transmission of data over the ViaSat-1 commercial satellite in July, showing that the technology offers an affordable option for enhancing anti-jam communications using existing commercial and U.S. government satellites and terminals.
"This technology boosts the ability of warfighters to send protected information without enemy data interference by using currently available satellites that do not have anti-jamming technology of their own," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "The two demonstrations show the technology is flexible and able to be quickly deployed at a much lower cost than building a new satellite."
For both tests, the signal was sent using a commercial modem that ViaSat modified with anti-jamming features. Boeing plans to continue to develop and test the technology for compatibility with other terminals and systems in 2014.