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#160 by Ronsmytheiii on 23 Apr, 2010 00:10
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Did not get it, but looks like the Centaur/OTV-1 were maneuvering attitude
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#161 by William Graham on 23 Apr, 2010 00:10
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ELV portal data suggests S/C sep in about a minute, followed by another Centaur burn about 25 minutes later, lasting about 2 minutes.
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#162 by Chris Bergin on 23 Apr, 2010 00:11
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I assume they are going to swiftly note if the launch was successful - such as s/c sep and the OTV's performance?
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#163 by Ronsmytheiii on 23 Apr, 2010 00:11
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From earlier:
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#164 by JimO on 23 Apr, 2010 00:11
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East. Looks like it'll end up in a 28.5 orbit. Geosynch, anyone?
Thanks.
If I wanted to go out on a limb, I'd say the final orbit might be incl 20 degrees (with centaur restart at node), using the excess booster performance for plane change.
Fly a low orbit where few can observe it EVER. Do whatever you want with no witnesses.
Land at Hickam.
Oh, yeah, they lied about Vandenberg.
Just fantasizing. Doubt it will be anywhere near as sexy as that orbit.
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#165 by Antares on 23 Apr, 2010 00:11
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hopefully that isn't a centaur feed line leaking H2 or O2
It's a centaur vent line intentionally leaking H2. -
#166 by Ronsmytheiii on 23 Apr, 2010 00:12
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#167 by Ronsmytheiii on 23 Apr, 2010 00:13
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#168 by William Graham on 23 Apr, 2010 00:13
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If the ELV portal data is correct, spacecraft separation has now occurred. The second Centaur burn (probably a disposal burn) is scheduled to last 2 minutes and 28 seconds.
Given the long first burn and relatively low payload mass, a direct ascent trajectory seems likely. -
#169 by Ronsmytheiii on 23 Apr, 2010 00:14
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#170 by Ronsmytheiii on 23 Apr, 2010 00:14
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#171 by robertross on 23 Apr, 2010 00:15
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If the ELV portal data is correct, spacecraft separation has now occurred. The second Centaur burn (probably a disposal burn) is scheduled to last 2 minutes and 28 seconds.
Yeah, they said minimal hydrazine burn -
#172 by Chris Bergin on 23 Apr, 2010 00:16
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With this release being sent out, it means s/c sep.
United Launch Alliance Atlas V Successfully Launches OTV Mission
Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., (April 22, 2010) – A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket successfully launched the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) for the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office at 7:52 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex- 41. 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. This launch marks the third mission for ULA in 2010 and second Atlas V mission.
“ULA is proud to have played a critical role in the success of this important test mission of the Orbital Test Vehicle,” said Mark Wilkins, ULA vice president of Atlas programs. “This was a tremendous launch campaign highlighted by close teamwork between the U.S. Air Force, the ULA launch team and our many mission partners that made today’s successful launch possible.”
This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V 501 5.4m fairing configuration. This entailed using a single common core booster powered by the RD-180 engine and a single RL-10A engine Centaur upper stage.
ULA's next launch, currently scheduled for May 20, is the Air Force’s first Block II-F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System (GPS) aboard a Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex-37 here.
ULA program management, engineering, test and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo. Manufacturing, assembly and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., Harlingen, Texas, San Diego, Calif., and Denver, Colo. Launch operations are located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
For more information on the ULA joint venture, visit the ULA Web site at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).
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#173 by William Graham on 23 Apr, 2010 00:16
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Spaceflight Now is reporting that separation has indeed occurred.
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#174 by robertross on 23 Apr, 2010 00:17
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Looks like the live feed ended on spaceflight now?
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#175 by Kim Keller on 23 Apr, 2010 00:17
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Thanks.
If I wanted to go out on a limb, I'd say the final orbit might be incl 20 degrees (with centaur restart at node), using the excess booster performance for plane change.
Fly a low orbit where few can observe it EVER. Do whatever you want with no witnesses.
Land at Hickam.
Oh, yeah, they lied about Vandenberg.
Just fantasizing. Doubt it will be anywhere near as sexy as that orbit.
But imagine a GEO mission with a winged vehicle - do some tests of satellite inspection technology, then a looooong descent to landing. -
#176 by robertross on 23 Apr, 2010 00:20
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Well, at least the United States will still have a sibling vehicle going up into space, one with a vertical launch and glider landing.
Congrats ULA. It was a pretty launch too. Good reliable Atlas. -
#177 by Patchouli on 23 Apr, 2010 00:21
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Thanks.
If I wanted to go out on a limb, I'd say the final orbit might be incl 20 degrees (with centaur restart at node), using the excess booster performance for plane change.
Fly a low orbit where few can observe it EVER. Do whatever you want with no witnesses.
Land at Hickam.
Oh, yeah, they lied about Vandenberg.
Just fantasizing. Doubt it will be anywhere near as sexy as that orbit.
But imagine a GEO mission with a winged vehicle - do some tests of satellite inspection technology, then a looooong descent to landing.
I don't think the X37 shape can handle a reentry from GEO it would be close to a lunar return.
Now the HL20 probably could pull it off with an ablative such as PICA or Avcoat on the hottest parts. -
#178 by mike robel on 23 Apr, 2010 00:21
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From my vantage point, it looks like I saw the fairing seperate. There were three bright points of light flickering as they moved away from the central booster. Looked pretty cool. I will have to play with my photos to see what I really saw and post it.
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#179 by FinalFrontier on 23 Apr, 2010 00:21
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Really? I was under the impression it was just a quick disconnect that didn't pop off.hopefully that isn't a centaur feed line leaking H2 or O2
It's a centaur vent line intentionally leaking H2.