NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => ULA - Delta, Atlas, Vulcan => Topic started by: jacqmans on 03/05/2013 03:13 pm
-
Looks like the first Delta-4 flight of this year is scheduled for May 08... (L2 info)
And the WGS-5 satellite for this launch is scheduled to arrive at KSC-SLF on March 09 (also L2 info)
Launch date moved to May 23, then delayed one day via technical scrub to May 24.
-
Boeing Ships 5th WGS Satellite to Cape Canaveral for 2013 Launch
Block II series transmits airborne ISR imagery 3 times faster
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 12, 2013 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently shipped its fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite, which will provide the U.S. Air Force with faster transmission of airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance imagery, to Cape Canaveral in Florida for this year's planned launch.
Part of the upgraded Block II series, the satellite arrived at the Astrotech processing facility in Titusville, Fla., on March 9 and will undergo preflight checkout, fueling and integration to prepare for launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket.
WGS-5 will join four other Boeing-built WGS satellites to provide warfighters with instant, secure, worldwide connectivity. It features performance upgrades such as a switchable radio frequency bypass that sends imagery approximately three times faster than the data rates currently available to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The next WGS satellite to be produced under the Block II contract, WGS-6, has completed testing and is in storage awaiting its scheduled mid-2013 launch date. WGS satellites -7 through -10 are in production under a Block II follow-on contract signed in August 2010.
"We worked closely with the Air Force to follow a commercial operating model on the Block II follow-on contract," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "This new model has saved the Air Force more than $150 million without compromising mission assurance."
WGS satellites are built on the proven Boeing 702 satellite platform that takes advantage of decades of industry-leading, space-proven technologies. The four satellites that have been delivered are in operation and meeting or exceeding all mission requirements. WGS satellites include enhanced capabilities designed for flexible communications in both X- and Ka-band frequencies, allowing terminals that operate in different frequency bands to interconnect and reposition coverage beams based on evolving mission needs.
-
via Facebook
45 Space Wing
The launch of the U.S. Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM mission on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle has been placed on the 45th Space Wing range schedule for May 8.
The launch vehicle and spacecraft are both being processed in Florida.
-
They also make note that the investigation into the previous launch anomaly is still progressing and explain it will be completed soon hence the May 8 date:
"The investigation into the off-nominal performance on the Global Positioning System IIF-3 launch last October is still progressing. Final testing related to the investigation is underway. ULA, Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne, and the Air Force have been working closely on this investigation and have approved processing this mission toward the May 8 launch date. Launch officials have planned investigation closure reviews in mid-April."
http://www.afspc.af.mil/news1/story.asp?id=123342364
-
According to SFN we have a new date of May 22nd for WGS 5. Not sure why the 2 week delay but that does skip the Atlas 5 GPS 2F-4 on May 15th next in line after Orbital in the US Launch Schedule.
-
According to SFN we have a new date of May 22nd for WGS 5. Not sure why the 2 week delay but that does skip the Atlas 5 GPS 2F-4 on May 15th next in line after Orbital in the US Launch Schedule.
Ongoing DIV investigation is reason. WGS-5 launch is waiting for pending closure of the investigation before the customer is willing to agree to proceed with the launch.
-
WDR is today
-
Mission booklet:
-
The launch date is now May 23 (UTC) or May 22 local time hence the Atlas V/GPS will launch first.
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Launch.shtml#/38/
-
L2's expansive daily KSC status has:
SLC-37 – Delta IV / WGS-05
Payload Transfer from Astrotech to CX-37 > 5/06, will be at IRB ~2200 hrs.
Launch scheduled > 5/22/13, window: 2026L - 2058L
-
ULA presser:
United Launch Alliance Clears WGS-5 Mission for May 22 Launch
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (May 10, 2013) – United Launch Alliance (ULA) has cleared the launch of the WGS-5 mission, after a thorough flight clearance process was executed following a flight data anomaly that occurred on the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-3 launch on Oct. 4, 2012.
"This will be the first Delta IV launch following the low engine performance that was identified on the successful Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-3 launch last October," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations. "Although the GPS IIF-3 spacecraft was accurately placed into the required orbit, ULA, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) and our U.S. Air Force teammates embarked on an investigation to determine why the upper stage engine performance was lower than expected. ULA completed a flight clearance assessment recently for the WGS-5 mission and our Air Force customer also assessed and approved flight clearance for this Delta IV mission."
The ULA/PWR investigation concluded that a fuel leak within the upper stage RL10 engine system was the direct cause of the lower than expected engine performance on the GPS IIF-3 launch. To prevent a recurrence of this sort of fuel leak, the engine and vehicle systems have been very thoroughly inspected and also launch vehicle hardware modifications and changes to how the engine is operated during launch were implemented.
"I thank our customer community and senior technical advisors for working with us throughout this very extensive investigation and flight clearance process," said Sponnick. "Given the comprehensive investigation that included extensive analyses and engine testing, along with the mitigating actions that have been implemented, we have concluded that the risks have been mitigated and that it is safe to proceed with the WGS-5 launch."
Engine testing that was performed to support this ULA investigation replicated fuel leaks like those observed in the GPS IIF-3 launch. The mitigations that have been implemented include extensive engine and launch-vehicle inspections to ensure that there is no damage and that there are no foreign objects that could cause problems for the operation of the engine system during launch. Additionally, launch vehicle hardware modifications and operational changes have been implemented to mitigate risks for the WGS-5 mission and future launches. The hardware modifications include the addition of in-flight helium purges to critical areas of the engine system. The operational changes to reduce risk include changes to how the engine is thermally conditioned in-flight to prepare for the first engine start following the booster phase of flight.
-
ULA presser:
United Launch Alliance Clears WGS-5 Mission for May 22 Launch
...Additionally, launch vehicle hardware modifications and operational changes have been implemented to mitigate risks for the WGS-5 mission and future launches. The hardware modifications include the addition of in-flight helium purges to critical areas of the engine system. The operational changes to reduce risk include changes to how the engine is thermally conditioned in-flight to prepare for the first engine start following the booster phase of flight.
Do these changes hint at LH2 warming in the engine and causing the leak? The purges would prevent buildup while the thermal conditioning could be to prevent a gas buildup from boiling fuel? The only way I can see cold causing a problem is if water somehow got in the system with expanded ice rupturing the fuel line.
Why would or wouldn't these changes be made to the Atlas 5 version?
Let the assault on the amateur analysis begin... ;D
-
Sounds like reapplications of lessons learned during the back to back AC-70, AC-71 Atlas I failures.
-
ULA presser:
The ULA/PWR investigation concluded that a fuel leak within the upper stage RL10 engine system was the direct cause of the lower than expected engine performance on the GPS IIF-3 launch. [...] The mitigations that have been implemented include extensive engine and launch-vehicle inspections to ensure that there is no damage and that there are no foreign objects that could cause problems for the operation of the engine system during launch. [...] The hardware modifications include the addition of in-flight helium purges to critical areas of the engine system. The operational changes to reduce risk include changes to how the engine is thermally conditioned in-flight to prepare for the first engine start following the booster phase of flight.
This seems like a particularly unsatisfying failure report. Normally they are very explicit about what went wrong, how we know what the problem was, and what should be done to fix it.
This one gives the general impression that they have no idea what caused it, and are just suggesting a group of concerns they could not rule out. Icing, FOD, and damaged parts are very different causes, but are all well known problems, and surely are addressed already. So adding emphasis to all three makes it seem they are not really sure what the problem was. Similarly, the wording of failures on the test stand was not very specific (failures 'like' those observed, rather than 'replicated the failure')
But on the other hand, they did not halt the Atlas launches, and they did not request more instrumentation for the next flight. This would suggest they were at least able to narrow it down to parts not on the Atlas version (and I thought the two engines were quite similar, so it should not be a big set).
Overall, it give the impression they know which part(s) failed, but not why. As I said, not very satisfying....
-
It will be interesting to see how much detail the AIB report goes into once it is released. Those are usually (when aircraft related) very detailed.
-
ULA presser:
The ULA/PWR investigation concluded that a fuel leak within the upper stage RL10 engine system was the direct cause of the lower than expected engine performance on the GPS IIF-3 launch. [...] The mitigations that have been implemented include extensive engine and launch-vehicle inspections to ensure that there is no damage and that there are no foreign objects that could cause problems for the operation of the engine system during launch. [...] The hardware modifications include the addition of in-flight helium purges to critical areas of the engine system. The operational changes to reduce risk include changes to how the engine is thermally conditioned in-flight to prepare for the first engine start following the booster phase of flight.
This seems like a particularly unsatisfying failure report. Normally they are very explicit about what went wrong, how we know what the problem was, and what should be done to fix it.
This one gives the general impression that they have no idea what caused it, and are just suggesting a group of concerns they could not rule out. Icing, FOD, and damaged parts are very different causes, but are all well known problems, and surely are addressed already. So adding emphasis to all three makes it seem they are not really sure what the problem was. Similarly, the wording of failures on the test stand was not very specific (failures 'like' those observed, rather than 'replicated the failure')
But on the other hand, they did not halt the Atlas launches, and they did not request more instrumentation for the next flight. This would suggest they were at least able to narrow it down to parts not on the Atlas version (and I thought the two engines were quite similar, so it should not be a big set).
Overall, it give the impression they know which part(s) failed, but not why. As I said, not very satisfying....
Or they may know, but aren't willing or able to say. If the failure occurs in a system or part that is ITAR or proprietary, they can't say exactly - even disclosing the existence of such a part could be violating the regulations.
-
Weather forecast at launch time: as crappy as the recent weather here in Hong Kong. >:(
http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-071220-067.pdf (http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-071220-067.pdf)
Basically: 40% GO, probable thick clouds and showers in the area. Interestingly the recent X-class solar flare may also be problematic for the launch (avionics/thermal constraints?).
-
ULA:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 19, 2013) -- The launch of a Delta IV carrying the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) satellite for the U.S. Air Force is rescheduled for Thursday, May 23. During acceptance testing for another mission, an avionics box that is used for controlling the Delta booster RS-68 engine experienced an anomaly. ULA is replacing the engine control unit on the WGS-5 vehicle with one that has been inspected and confirmed to not have the suspect condition that caused the recent anomaly in acceptance testing. On May 23, the opening of the 32-minute window begins at 8:28 p.m. EDT.
-
ULA:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 19, 2013) -- The launch of a Delta IV carrying the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) satellite for the U.S. Air Force is rescheduled for Thursday, May 23. During acceptance testing for another mission, an avionics box that is used for controlling the Delta booster RS-68 engine experienced an anomaly. ULA is replacing the engine control unit on the WGS-5 vehicle with one that has been inspected and confirmed to not have the suspect condition that caused the recent anomaly in acceptance testing. On May 23, the opening of the 32-minute window begins at 8:28 p.m. EDT.
So the window opens May 24 at 0028UTC
-
Thursday's 32-minute launch window for the #WGS5 on a #DeltaIV opens at 8:27 p.m .EDT.
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/336512895418523648
-
Navigational warning for SRMs (B), fairing (C), 1st stage (D)
NAVAREA IV 275/2013(11,25,26). (181003Z MAY 2013)
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 230026Z TO 230135Z MAY,
ALTERNATE 240027Z TO 240134Z MAY
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-33N 080-34W, 28-34N 080-33W,
28-31N 080-10W, 28-30N 080-06W,
28-24N 079-45W, 28-21N 079-45W,
28-24N 080-12W, 28-30N 080-34W.
B. 28-36N 079-15W, 28-25N 078-10W,
27-47N 078-18W, 27-57N 079-23W.
C. 26-21N 068-42W, 25-49N 066-45W,
24-57N 067-03W, 25-29N 068-59W.
D. 21-49N 055-02W, 20-19N 050-38W,
19-13N 051-05W, 20-43N 055-26W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 240234Z MAY 13.
-
ULA @ulalaunch
#WGS5 is set to lift off on a ULA #DeltaIV on Thursday! The 30-min launch window (note change) opens @ 8:27 pm EDT. Weather is 40% favorable
-
-
-
Too bad the launch window is not now, it is awesome outside.
-
The Launch Readiness Review was completed today in preparation for the Air Force’s fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) launch. The mission is set to liftoff on a ULA Delta IV on Thursday, May 23 from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The 30-minute launch window opens at 8:27 p.m. EDT. Today’s L-1 forecast continues to show a 40 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
-
Moved for live coverage
-
MST roll to the launch park position is currently underway.
-
ULA @ulalaunch
She's a beauty! #DeltaIV with #WGS5 as the Mobile Service Tower rolls. pic.twitter.com/CWtimLPnrx
-
Is the 9450 the most commonly used version of the Delta?
-
Is the 9450 the most commonly used version of the Delta?
least and tie for least after this launch
-
Scrub
-
:(
-
Thanks Jim. Scrub title until tomorrow attempt.
-
Here's the ULA release:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 23, 2013) -- The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket carrying the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) satellite for the U.S. Air Force was scrubbed today due to an issue associated with a ground support system helium pressurization line. The launch has been rescheduled for Friday, May 24, at 8:27 p.m. EDT at the opening of a 30-minute window. The forecast for tomorrow shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
-
The weather was looking bad anyway, even without mechanical problems.
-
Is the 9450 the most commonly used version of the Delta?
least and tie for least after this launch
Who calls it a "9450"? ULA doesn't on their web site or in their literature.
- Ed Kyle
-
Is the 9450 the most commonly used version of the Delta?
least and tie for least after this launch
Who calls it a "9450"? ULA doesn't on their web site or in their literature.
- Ed Kyle
Agreed. I don't think the four-digit designations have been used for the Delta IV since it has been in service, and in any case it was revised in the early 2000s by subtracting 5 from the first digit to bring it in line with the numeral in the rocket's name. That never caught on and it was dropped in favour of the M/M+(x,x)/H designations, so:
Delta IV Medium = Delta 4040 = Delta 9040
Delta IV-M+(4,2) = Delta 4240 = Delta 9240
Delta IV-M+(5,2) = Delta 4250 = Delta 9250
Delta IV-M+(5,4) = Delta 4450 = Delta 9450
Delta IV Heavy = Delta 4050H = Delta 9050H*
*I've never understood why this is 9050H not 9250H
The Delta III was the Delta 8930, and in theory it became the 3930, however it only ever flew in one configuration and was pretty much dead by the time they tried to bring the new designations in, so it never stuck.
The Delta II's 7000-series designations continued to be used universally, so the 2000-series designation never caught on. Even ULA uses the 7000-designations.
-
Is the 9450 the most commonly used version of the Delta?
least and tie for least after this launch
Who calls it a "9450"? ULA doesn't on their web site or in their literature.
- Ed Kyle
Agreed. I don't think the four-digit designations have been used for the Delta IV since it has been in service, and in any case it was revised in the early 2000s by subtracting 5 from the first digit to bring it in line with the numeral in the rocket's name. That never caught on and it was dropped in favour of the M/M+(x,x)/H designations, so:
Delta IV Medium = Delta 4040 = Delta 9040
Delta IV-M+(4,2) = Delta 4240 = Delta 9240
Delta IV-M+(5,2) = Delta 4250 = Delta 9250
Delta IV-M+(5,4) = Delta 4450 = Delta 9450
Delta IV Heavy = Delta 4050H = Delta 9050H*
*I've never understood why this is 9050H not 9250H
The Delta III was the Delta 8930, and in theory it became the 3930, however it only ever flew in one configuration and was pretty much dead by the time they tried to bring the new designations in, so it never stuck.
The Delta II's 7000-series designations continued to be used universally, so the 2000-series designation never caught on. Even ULA uses the 7000-designations.
The 2000, 3000 and 4000 series numbers were from the NLS I contract and not Boeing. They were never used outside of the contract.
-
Is the 9450 the most commonly used version of the Delta?
least and tie for least after this launch
Who calls it a "9450"? ULA doesn't on their web site or in their literature.
- Ed Kyle
I saw it on Wikipedia a little while back?
-
Is the 9450 the most commonly used version of the Delta?
least and tie for least after this launch
Who calls it a "9450"? ULA doesn't on their web site or in their literature.
- Ed Kyle
Isn't that the Boeing model number?
-
Do all four SRMs ignite for/at liftoff? I imagine even if they do all fire at the same time, they are jettisoned 2x2 in a staggered fashion (diametrically)--true?
I don't think I've ever seen this config--should be fun this evening!
-
-
Do all four SRMs ignite for/at liftoff? I imagine even if they do all fire at the same time, they are jettisoned 2x2 in a staggered fashion (diametrically)--true?
I don't think I've ever seen this config--should be fun this evening!
4 SRMs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bUOT_jcYjE
-
Thanks ugordan.
-
Well, my statement from yesterday is an understatement for today!
-
InsideKSC@InsideKSC
Your 11 a.m. Delta IV #WGS5 launch status update: pic.twitter.com/isT1Oaq5dH
-
The team has the "Go" to begin cryogenic fueling operations on the #DeltaIV with #WGS5.
-
William Graham's excellent launch/mission overview:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/05/ula-delta-iv-launch-wgs-5-satellite/
-
William Graham's excellent launch/mission overview:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/05/ula-delta-iv-launch-wgs-5-satellite/ (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/05/ula-delta-iv-launch-wgs-5-satellite/)
Enjoyed the article with the full history William.
-
Follow-up per Mr. Graham's wonderfully detailed article, and per jacqman's image a page back (div_wgs5_r5)--it appears the SRMs are indeed different--may just be camera angle, but...
Do the TVC-equipped SRMs actually burn slightly longer? If so (and maybe even if not), I assume they assist with mitigating transients resulting from the first set of SRMs separating.
Is TVC electro-mechanical as it is with Castor30?
Best wishes for a successful mission!
-
1. Do the TVC-equipped SRMs actually burn slightly longer? If so (and maybe even if not), I assume they assist with mitigating transients resulting from the first set of SRMs separating.
2. Is TVC electro-mechanical as it is with Castor30?
1. No and no, since they are burned out.
2. Blowdown Hydraulic.
-
Thanks Jim. Time to research blowdown hydraulic...
:)
-
ULA:
Everything is progressing toward a launch at 8:27 p.m. of the WGS-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force.
Fueling is underway.
-
Thanks Jim. Time to research blowdown hydraulic...
:)
In a blowdown hydraulic system the hydraulic fluid is pressurized by a fixed amount of pressurized gas, as opposed to by a hydraulic pump. A consequence of this is that you have to dump the hydraulic fluid overboard as you move the actuators, and so if you move the nozzles a lot more than you anticipated you can run out of hydraulic fluid (this is what happened to the first Delta III).
Edit: A little OT, but here's a document that compares the Japanese H-IIA to its predecessor, the H-II, and talks about the cost and reliability improvements. Page 48 discusses the change from a pump-driven closed system to a blowdown system for the first stage TVC:
https://www.mhi.co.jp/technology/review/pdf/e392/e392043.pdf
-
Thanks Nick L. It seems such a system is less complex, has less mass and less cost than a "traditional" hydraulic system of pump-fed actuators. Considering the RS-68 has TVC, I imagine running out of fluid is less of a concern.
-
#WGS5 will launch on #DeltaIV Medium+ (5.4). Here's a cutaway view of the 5-meter series:
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/products/Cutaways/DeltaIVM5Meter_Cutaway.pdf
-
ULA:
T-2 Hours.
The team is not currently working any technical issues that would prohibit an on-time launch at 8:27 p.m. of the WGS-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force.
-
T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the planned 45-minute hold.
-
found a couple of pics
-
-
T-30
-
Launch coverage in 8 minutes...
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Webcast.shtml
-
Webcast is starting.
-
Off we go.
-
-
Not working any issues.
-
-
-
Weather Green.
-
L-17 mins.
-
-
Payload attach and MST rollback.
-
Steve Agid back in his usual launch data role. The AF rep is a Col--guess this bigger satellite was too much for a 1LT. ;D
-
scenes during rollback
-
L-10 mins.
-
Launch dedicated to the memory of Tim Hodgins, quality inspector and Gulf War veteran.
-
-
Looks like a lovely evening.
-
Load relief file loaded into the RIFCA.
-
-
Polling to come out of the hold.
-
-
Polling is GO to proceed with terminal count.
-
-
Pulling swing arm lock pins.
-
Go for launch given.
Go Delta IV! :)
-
-
T-4 minutes and counting.
Vehicle going to internal power.
-
Vehicle on internal power.
CBC prepress started.
-
T-3 mins
-
T-3 minutes. Vehicle ordnance armed.
-
-
-
T-120 seconds. TPA spin up, hydraulics at 4000 psi.
-
CBC tanks ready to go.
-
Securing LH2 and LOX.
-
T-60 seconds. Go Delta IV!
-
T-60 seconds.
Range GREEN.
-
Range is green. Engine start box go.
-
LAUNCH ENABLE.
GREEN BOARD.
-
Green board. Flight lock-in.
-
Liftoff!
-
-
-
LAUNCH!
-
T+36 seconds. Mach 1.
-
-
-
Max-Q.
-
-
MaxQ
-
-
SRM burnout.
-
SRM sep.
-
SRB Burnout and Jettison (staged).
-
T+2 minutes.
-
-
Mach 5.
-
Mach 5.
-
Maximum PLF skin temp.
-
Nominal first stage.
56 miles altitude.
-
Altitude 53.6 nm.
-
Mach 10 now (that was a jump!)
-
Mach 10.
-
Fairing sep (visible from the ground)
-
Excellent footage of both SRB sep aswell as of fairing sep!
-
PLF sep
-
Partial thrust and MECO.
-
Fairing jettison.
-
-
1-2 sep.
NEDS deploy and second stage ignition.
-
Staging.
1-2 sep.
Second stage ignition.
-
first:16 min second stage burn
(1st of 2 burns)
-
Amazingly clear--can see the RL-10 burn! Thanks for the screen captures...
-
Now talking to Col. Goldstein.
-
-
A USAF Col.....who's rather heavily decorated!
-
-
-
1 WGS satellite equivalent to the entire legacy system!
-
Speed just crossed 12,000 mph.
-
They noted that Canada (along with other nations) have partnered for the 9th WGS satellite, for a proportional share of the resources. Nice.
-
T+11m30sec
-
SECO 1 in 8 min
-
WGS promo running.
-
Sun hit the spent boosters and fairing halves fairly well. You could follow them both for about 3-4 minutes after sep.
-
Around 3 minutes to SECO-1.
-
T+16min 47sec
-
Altitude 142.7 nm, velocity 24992 ft/s.
-
T+18 minutes. Perigee positive.
Downrange 2623 nm.
-
SRMs were visible due to residual burning. Saw them for quite sometime after
-
Coming up to the end of the first burn.
-
T+19 minutes.
Altitude 110 nm, 2888 nm downrange.
-
SECO #1
-
SECO-1.
Now coasting for 7.5 minutes.
Orbit looks good. From the image it looks like 1713x99.8nm at 25.594 degrees.
-
SECO-1.
Into the coast phase for just over seven mins.
-
7-1/2 min to next burn
-
-
Preliminary numbers for SECO 1 looked very good
-
Altitude 117.6 nm, speed 29460 ft/sec.
Less than 5 minutes until second burn.
-
SRMs were visible due to residual burning. Saw them for quite sometime after
One could be seen falling across the video image quite a while after separation.
-
T+25 minutes.
-
Was that DOAMS capturing those great images? SRM sep, PLF sep, RL-10 start--just incredible...
-
2-1/2 min until burn
-
settling jets on
-
ACS jets 9&11 on now
-
Switched to settling thrusters 9 and 11. (was 10 and 12 before).
-
Less than 1 minute until restart.
-
2nd burn started
-
Second stage restart.
Good chamber pressure and engine control.
-
Second burn underway - three minute burn.
-
good chamber pressure. Good and stable
-
Chamber pressure holding. Looks like the animation froze though.
-
C-band beacon commanded off.
1.5 minutes to go until SECO-2.
-
Speed 31080 ft/sec.
-
you got to love those RL-10's 8)
-
now passing over southern Africa
-
Look at the apogee go!
-
telemetry sporatic at the moment (video)
-
looks like SECO 2
Great job ULA!
-
SECO-2. Now reorienting for S/C sep.
-
Orbit looks like 36083x237nm at 24.005 degrees.
-
4 min until S/C sep
-
Col Goldstein has a lengthy history. Well Done ;)
-
ACS jets 9 and 11 on for settling.
-
Now on ACS jets 10 and 12. Around 90 seconds until S/C sep.
-
DCSS disposal--deorbit or orbit raising?
-
And we have spacecraft SEP!
congrats to all the teams on a job well done.
-
Spacecraft separation!
Congrats to everyone involved!
-
Nicely done, congrats to all!
-
Go Wideband ;)
-
Webcast ending.
So I didn't mis-hear that - he did say "RS-27" at liftoff... :D
-
Great launch except for the sloppy commentary right at the launch.
He said lift off when he meant to say ignition. Gotta get these things right :P
-
Congrats well done, beautiful launch! :)
-
Sweet! Congrats to all of the teams! It was great to see (some of) the people who put the bird together during the promo.
Not to go all soapbox, but I firmly believe this is how we should fight and win conflicts and I'm glad to help pay for what we just saw.
Apropos as we go to the Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to everyone who has served throughout history, and a special nod to Mr. LeBrun.
-
William's article, updated:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/05/ula-delta-iv-launch-wgs-5-satellite/
-
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 24, 2013) – In the second launch in just nine days for the U.S. Air Force, United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched a Delta IV rocket carrying the fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) satellite at 8:27 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. 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 Launches Second Successful Mission for
U.S. Air Force in Just Nine Days
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (May 24, 2013) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 8:27 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. This mission launched just nine days after ULA successfully launched the GPS IIF-4 satellite last Wednesday, May 15.
"United Launch Alliance and our many mission partners continue to focus on mission success, one-launch-at-a-time,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations. “We are honored to work with such a strong industry and government team and deliver another critical communication 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 a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) RS-68 main engine, along with four ATK GEM 60 solid rocket motors. The five-meter diameter upper stage was powered by a PWR RL10B-2 engine with the satellite encapsulated in a five-meter diameter composite payload fairing. The WGS-5 launch marked the third flight of the Delta IV medium+ (5,4) configuration and the 22nd flight of the Delta IV family of launch vehicles.
This was the first Delta IV launch following the low engine performance that was identified on the successful Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-3 launch last October. Although the GPS IIF-3 spacecraft was accurately placed into the required orbit, ULA, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) and our U.S. Air Force teammates embarked on an investigation to determine why the upper stage engine performance was lower than expected. Prior to this mission, rigorous hardware inspections along with vehicle and operational design modifications were implemented to prevent a recurrence of the fuel leak in the RL10 engine that was the direct cause of the low engine performance on the GPS IIF-3 launch.
“The team has worked tremendously hard and exceptionally well to complete a robust investigation and get us to a successful launch today,” said Sponnick. “We sincerely thank the PWR team and our customer community for working with us throughout the investigation and flight clearance process, as well as the involvement from senior industry technical advisors.”
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 Atlas V MUOS-2 mission for the U.S. Navy scheduled for July 19, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
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.
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.
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.
-
William's article, updated:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/05/ula-delta-iv-launch-wgs-5-satellite/
Why mess with perfection ;)
-
[Delta IV] Launch of WGS-5 on Delta IV Return to Flight
Published on May 24, 2013
An American Delta IV M+5,4 rocket successfully launched on it's Return to Flight mission tonight, May 25th 00:27 UTC. The vehicle carried the fifth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite (WGS-5) into orbit from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral in Florida.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGroyYWuRzM
-
Here is the complete coverage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnniY_2C_fo
-
My congratulations! Beautiful launch 8) !
-
ULA launch highlights video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-T77LshTl0
-
News Release Issued: May 24, 2013 (10:44pm EDT)
ATK Technologies Support Launch of ULA's Delta IV Rocket Carrying WGS-5
ATK's Role Includes Propulsion and Composites Structures
ARLINGTON, Va., May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) propulsion and composite technologies supported today's successful launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This rocket carried the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) into orbit for the U.S. Air Force.
WGS-5 is the fifth satellite delivered by prime contractor Boeing as part of the WGS system that provides flexible, high-capacity communications for the nation's warfighters. WGS provides an order of magnitude increase in military communications bandwidth, providing high data rate and long-haul communications for Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen worldwide.
"ATK's extensive involvement with this launch is indicative of the company's broad capabilities in the aerospace and space markets," said Blake Larson, president of ATK Aerospace Group. "We are pleased to continue our strong relationships with our customers on this mission."
This was the third 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-5 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.
The nozzle for Delta IV's RS-68 engine was designed and manufactured at ATK's Promontory, Utah, facility. The Pratt & Whitney 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.
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 protect the RS-68 engine during ignition and flight, and an LO2 Skirt. Additionally, the payload is encapsulated by a five-meter-diameter composite payload Fairing, along with required hardware for payload integration: 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.
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.
WGS supports the defense communications system, the U.S. Army's ground mobile forces, the U.S. Air Force's airborne terminals, the U.S. Navy's ships at sea, the White House Communications Agency, the U.S. State Department and other special users.
-
Boeing-built WGS-5 Satellite Enhances Tactical Communications for Warfighters
5th Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft sends 1st signals from orbit
Satellite functioning and ready for post-launch testing
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 24, 2013 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received the first on-orbit signals from the fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite it is delivering to the U.S. Air Force to give warfighters greater access to fast, secure communications that help them complete their missions more safely and effectively.
After reaching final orbit, WGS-5 will complete several maneuvers and tests before beginning operations.
WGS-5, part of the upgraded Block II series, will continue to extend the global reach of the WGS system to more users. The spacecraft and its ground terminals can operate in X- and Ka-band frequencies, and coverage areas can be shaped to meet users’ needs. WGS-5 also adds additional bandwidth to the system, addressing a critical need of the U.S. Department of Defense.
“This satellite is going to strengthen an important tool that warfighters count on to be successful and safe,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems.
WGS-5 launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle today at 8:27 p.m. Eastern time from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Controllers in Australia confirmed initial contact with the spacecraft 59 minutes later, indicating that the vehicle is functioning normally and ready to be moved into geosynchronous Earth orbit.
-
I was just watching the recording of the ULA broadcast. Were they just moving the camera angle on the simulation or did the spacecraft yaw gently to the left shortly after upper stage ignition?
-
I was just watching the recording of the ULA broadcast. Were they just moving the camera angle on the simulation or did the spacecraft yaw gently to the left shortly after upper stage ignition?
That happens all the time - Ive seen plenty more 'jiggling about' after staging that that. Attitude control thrusters seem to damp it out within a few seconds.
P
-
On any launch, a little bit of guidance error develops after MECO, during coast, staging, coast and start transient. What you see is the effect of the guidance loop being re-enabled.
-
Does this launch actually put the DIV family over the 95% reliability record?
-
Boeing WGS-5 Satellite Receives First Signals
-
Does this launch actually put the DIV family over the 95% reliability record?
Yes, using the first Heavy Demo launch as a failure they are 21/22 for 95% success.
Atlas V 37/38 for 97%
-
Does this launch actually put the DIV family over the 95% reliability record?
Yes, using the first Heavy Demo launch as a failure they are 21/22 for 95% success.
Atlas V 37/38 for 97%
Getting statistic-y gives Best Estimate reliability of about 0.92 based on 21 successes 22 samples, 0.94 based on the 16 for 16 performance of Delta 4 Medium alone, and 0.75 for the Heavy alone. These estimates "feel" about right to me given last Fall's near-failure on the GPS mission.
http://www.measuringusability.com/wald.htm
I'm a fan of the LaPlace method for low sample number reliability estimates.
- Ed Kyle
-
5th Boeing-Built Wideband Satellite Increases Coverage for Warfighters
US Air Force begins operating WGS-5 after spacecraft completes on-orbit tests
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 2, 2013 – The fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite built by Boeing [NYSE: BA] is providing the U.S. military and its international partners additional access to the fast, secure communications vital to successful missions. WGS-5, which was launched in May, has completed on-orbit testing and is now being operated by the U.S. Air Force.
The second spacecraft in the WGS program’s upgraded Block II series, WGS-5 provides protected wideband communications to users anywhere in its field of view.
"The WGS mission is a force multiplier for the Department of Defense, U.S. government agencies, and our allied partners,” said Lt. Col. Karen Roe, Commander, 53rd Signal Battalion (SATCON). “We are so pleased to have this capability across our formation and thank the Boeing team for their dedication to excellence."
WGS-5 is the first of two WGS satellites launched this year.
“WGS-5 addresses a critical need of the Defense Department by increasing capacity and enhancing global coverage, supporting warfighters with communications bandwidth when they need it,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems.
WGS-6 – launched 75 days after WGS-5 – is performing as expected and scheduled to complete its handover to the Air Force later this year.