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LIVE: Atlas V 531: AEHF-1 Satellite, August 14, 2010
by
jacqmans
on 15 Apr, 2010 08:13
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Lockheed Martin Completes Work on First U.S. Air Force Advanced EHF Satellite
14-Apr-2010, 10:46 AM
New-Generation Military Communications Satellite Ready For Delivery To Support Mid-2010 Launch
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 14, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has completed all factory testing of the first satellite in the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program and the spacecraft is ready for delivery to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be prepared for a mid-2010 liftoff aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.
The AEHF system is the successor to the five-satellite Milstar constellation and will provide significantly improved global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for all warfighters serving U.S. national security.
"This sophisticated satellite was designed, built and tested by a joint government/industry team dedicated to providing secure, real-time connectivity to deployed forces around the globe," said Col. Michael Sarchet, commander of the Protected Satellite Communications Group at the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center. "We look forward to achieving mission success as we prepare to launch this critical national asset in a few months."
A single AEHF satellite will provide greater total capacity than the entire Milstar constellation currently on-orbit. Individual user data rates can be up to five times higher than Milstar's highest speed. The faster data rates will permit transmission of tactical military communications, such as high-quality real-time video and quick access to battlefield maps and targeting data.
"This achievement is direct testimony to the team's commitment to operational excellence and mission success," said Mike Davis, Lockheed Martin's AEHF vice president. "We are very proud of our role in providing critical protected communications systems for the nation and have great confidence in the unprecedented new capabilities this vitally important satellite will provide to the warfighter."
The second AEHF spacecraft (SV-2) is in the midst of its final performance test known as Final Integrated System Test which will verify all spacecraft interfaces, demonstrate full functionality and evaluate satellite performance. The third AEHF satellite, SV-3, is gearing up for acoustic testing, one of several critical environmental tests that validate the overall satellite design, quality of workmanship and survivability during space vehicle launching and on-orbit operations. SV-2 and SV-3 are on track for launch readiness in 2011.
The AEHF team is led by the U.S. Air Force Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the AEHF prime contractor and system manager, with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., as the payload provider.
"Launching the first AEHF satellite will mark yet another revolution in assured military satellite communications by a government and industry team that has delivered unmatched capabilities for secure transmission of the highest priority military information," according to Stuart Linsky, vice president of Satellite Communications for Northrop Grumman Corporation's Aerospace Systems sector.
Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide three AEHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment. The program has begun advanced procurement of long-lead components for a fourth AEHF satellite.
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#1
by
Ben the Space Brit
on 15 Apr, 2010 12:36
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Just out of interest, is the -531 the most powerful Atlas-V variant flown to date? I don't recall ever seeing any mention of flights using DEC and/or four or five SRMs on the quite-comprehensive Wiki page.
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#2
by
Jim
on 15 Apr, 2010 12:39
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Just out of interest, is the -531 the most powerful Atlas-V variant flown to date? I don't recall ever seeing any mention of flights using DEC and/or four or five SRMs on the quite-comprehensive Wiki page.
No DEC's
Pluto New Horizon was a 551.
A 431 has more payload capability than a 531.
Juno will be a 551 and MSL a 541
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#3
by
jacqmans
on 25 May, 2010 08:27
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Lockheed Martin Delivers First U.S. Air Force Advanced EHF Satellite
24-May-2010 4:46 PM
New-Generation Protected Military Communications Satellite Scheduled to Launch July 2010
SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 24, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has delivered the first satellite in the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be prepared for a July 30 liftoff aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle. The AEHF system will provide the U.S. military and national leaders with global, protected, high capacity and secure communications.
"Shipment of the first AEHF satellite is testimony to a strong government and industry partnership focused on achieving total mission success on this vitally important program," said Col. Michael Sarchet, commander of the Protected Satellite Communications Group at the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center. "AEHF will play an integral role in our national security space architecture, and we look forward to providing this new capability to the warfighter."
The AEHF system is the successor to the five-satellite Milstar constellation and will provide significantly improved global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for all warfighters serving U.S. national security. The governments of Canada, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom participate in the AEHF program as international partners and will have access to the communications capability of AEHF.
A single AEHF satellite will provide greater total capacity than the entire Milstar constellation currently on-orbit. Individual user data rates can be up to five times higher than Milstar's highest speed. The faster data rates will permit transmission of tactical military communications, such as high-quality real-time video and quick access to battlefield maps and targeting data.
"Lockheed Martin is extremely proud of this significant program milestone," said Mike Davis, Lockheed Martin's AEHF vice president. "This satellite will provide substantially improved protected communications capabilities for the warfighter, and we look forward to achieving mission success for our customer."
The second AEHF spacecraft (SV-2) has completed Final Integrated System Test which verified all spacecraft interfaces, demonstrated full functionality and evaluated satellite performance and is now preparing for Intersegment testing to ensure the spacecraft is ready for flight. The third AEHF satellite, SV-3, has completed acoustic testing, one of several critical environmental tests that validate the overall satellite design, quality of workmanship and survivability during space vehicle launching and on-orbit operations. SV-2 and SV-3 are on track for launch readiness in 2011.
The AEHF team is led by the U.S. Air Force Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the AEHF prime contractor and system manager, with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., as the payload provider.
"Assured communications for our military services is absolutely essential wherever they may be deployed," said Stuart Linsky, vice president, Satellite Communications, for Northrop Grumman. "Capabilities provided by AEHF will give more warfighters access to the protected communications they need."
Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide three AEHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment. The program has begun advanced procurement of long-lead components for a fourth AEHF satellite.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.
Media Contacts: Lauren Wonder, 408-756-4225; e-mail,
[email protected]NOTE TO EDITORS: for low- and high-resolution JPEG image files of Advanced EHF, please visit:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/AEHF
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#4
by
TimL
on 08 Jul, 2010 22:53
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Any sign of a mission book for this flight yet?
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#5
by
HIPAR
on 09 Jul, 2010 14:59
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#6
by
Danderman
on 12 Jul, 2010 16:24
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A 431 has more payload capability than a 531.
To pick a nit, an Atlas 431 has more capability to high orbits and escape, but not LEO.
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#7
by
kevin-rf
on 12 Jul, 2010 17:24
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A 431 has more payload capability than a 531.
To pick a nit, an Atlas 431 has more capability to high orbits and escape, but not LEO.
Due to the Centuar being enclosed in the payload fairing with different load paths and not being exposed to aero loads?
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#8
by
just-nick
on 12 Jul, 2010 22:48
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A 431 has more payload capability than a 531.
To pick a nit, an Atlas 431 has more capability to high orbits and escape, but not LEO.
Due to the Centuar being enclosed in the payload fairing with different load paths and not being exposed to aero loads?
The enclosed Centaur can do some of the tricky long-coast missions that the 400-series can't...the big fairing lets them fly with improved insulation. Not sure if that is relevant here...but it is interesting.
--N
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#9
by
Danderman
on 13 Jul, 2010 04:29
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A 431 has more payload capability than a 531.
To pick a nit, an Atlas 431 has more capability to high orbits and escape, but not LEO.
Due to the Centuar being enclosed in the payload fairing with different load paths and not being exposed to aero loads?
Kind of.
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#10
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Jul, 2010 17:46
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Slipped:
ULA:
The Atlas V launch of the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite (AEHF-1) from SLC-41 at the cape has been delayed 10 days from 30 July to 10 August. This delay was necessary to provide engineers more time to perform confidence testing on a launch vehicle component associated with releasing the fairing support structure. Processing on both the launch vehicle and satellite continues nominally to a new launch date of 10 August. This slip in the AEHF-1 launch is not expected to impact other launches in the manifest.
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#11
by
DanWerts
on 27 Jul, 2010 14:13
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Hey everyone,
I like bringing up the Expendable launch vehicle page and streaming the video feeds.
Today, I did as I usually do and noticed that there was an active countdown and the note of an Atlas V LCH/AEHF-ICE3 due to launch.
I was just kind of curious if there has been much in the way of a report about payload, duration, mission etc.
Pardon my linking but heres the ELV page I follow:
http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/As you can see, it has about 4 streaming links (LOX farm, 3-E tower, 18 MST and the KSC weather)
I was surprised to see there were no notes about this launch on any of the threads.
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#12
by
psloss
on 27 Jul, 2010 14:23
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#13
by
DanWerts
on 27 Jul, 2010 14:33
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Thanks for the update. I'll continue following the video and stream on ELV until it hits T-minus 0 then go ahead and delete my thread.
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#14
by
edkyle99
on 27 Jul, 2010 14:42
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#15
by
psloss
on 27 Jul, 2010 14:45
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#16
by
DanWerts
on 27 Jul, 2010 14:49
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Thread is here; launch is in a couple of weeks:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21261.0
Probably looking at the Wet Dress Rehearsal countdown.
Looks like SLC 37B (the Delta 4 pad).
- Ed Kyle
Yeah, none of the views there are currently showing the Atlas pad.
Now that is a real pity then.
I only know of the ELV page which has streaming video from the Air station.
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#17
by
Space Pete
on 28 Jul, 2010 15:55
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Launch is now 12th August.
Advanced Extremely High Frequencey
Launch Vehicle/Mission: ATLAS V
Date: August 12
Pad: 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Launch Window: 7:14 a.m. -- 9:14 am. EDT
Launch Hazard Area period: TBD
Launch Hazard Area
Restricted Airspace Map
From
www.patrick.af.mil
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#18
by
Space Pete
on 02 Aug, 2010 17:17
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#19
by
Chris Bergin
on 03 Aug, 2010 23:47
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Sorry, forgot to add the mission booklet. Here it is:
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#20
by
Mark Max Q
on 04 Aug, 2010 18:06
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Sorry, forgot to add the mission booklet. Here it is:
Thanks!
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#21
by
Ben the Space Brit
on 04 Aug, 2010 18:17
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I'll have to try and watch this launch on the web. It's nicely timed for us in Western Europe and it will be the biggest Atlas-V launch that I've seen (I know that New Horizons was bigger, but I didn't know that uncrewed launches were shown on the Internet back then).
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#22
by
DanWerts
on 05 Aug, 2010 22:35
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Well this works quite well since I'll be in the area between the 12th and 15th of august. Do we have a time for the actual launch? I can set my departure time to that so I arrive with enough time to pick out a good spot to watch as soon as I arrive.
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#23
by
Antares
on 06 Aug, 2010 04:49
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Window opens at 7:13am Local, 2 hours long. Recommend either shelling out the cash for the KSC Visitor Center (5.5 miles), or Port Canaveral State Road 401 (11.6 miles) or Titusville due west of the pad (13.2 miles).
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#24
by
Lewis007
on 06 Aug, 2010 05:54
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#25
by
DanWerts
on 07 Aug, 2010 11:38
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Window opens at 7:13am Local, 2 hours long. Recommend either shelling out the cash for the KSC Visitor Center (5.5 miles), or Port Canaveral State Road 401 (11.6 miles) or Titusville due west of the pad (13.2 miles).
I'll likely go with KSC (If it is open at that hour) If not I know 401 quite well so that will likely be my backup. Last time, I could drive all the way up to the air force base gate there. Too bad not even my Badges and Military ID couldn't get me on and close...
Oh well. I know of the stands they have set up there where you can watch such launches though. So if I roll in around 6am and take up a good spot it should work out just fine.
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#26
by
Rocket Guy
on 07 Aug, 2010 16:00
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The launch was postponed beyond the 12th.
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#27
by
edkyle99
on 07 Aug, 2010 23:09
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The launch was postponed beyond the 12th.
MSDB currently shows it on the 14th, but I wonder if that is dated.
- Ed Kyle
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#28
by
Jim
on 08 Aug, 2010 18:52
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My sources says it was moved from the 12th to the 14th and there are no other delays
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#29
by
DanWerts
on 09 Aug, 2010 00:57
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My sources says it was moved from the 12th to the 14th and there are no other delays
Everything I looked at today shows the same. Which means I don't need to rush my departure too much. Still, I'm wondering if KSC will be open for viewing the sat launch at that time or not.
If not, (And it is no big deal) then I will simply be on...401 I think it was around launch time with my cameras etc
EDIT!!
Just an FYI, I found a link to video showing the Atlas Pad.
http://www.watchtvchannels.net/channel/6339/Nasa-CamIt's currently sitting on there right now.
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#30
by
Space Pete
on 10 Aug, 2010 13:02
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#31
by
Chris Bergin
on 10 Aug, 2010 13:45
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Weather:
Attached is the AV-019 AEHF-1 Forecast.
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds
Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 48 hour delay: 40%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds
Summary:
A Low pressure system off the Southwest Florida coast will bring an influx of moisture into Central Florida today with showers and isolated thunderstorms coming in off the Atlantic. Through mid-week, the low transits toward the Northern Gulf coast with the high pressure axis to the North. In this regime pattern with ample moisture, isolated morning coastal showers can be expected with thunderstorms developing by early afternoon and migrating to the West. Thursday is a transition day with the high pressure axis shifting South of Central Florida through the day with a surface trough encroaching into the Gulf coast states. Coastal showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing early afternoon along the slow Westward migrating seabreeze boundary are expected. For MLP roll on Friday, fair weather conditions are expected in the morning with a loose pressure gradient and light Southwesterly winds during the roll gusting to 12 kts (230 feet). Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop along the seabreeze boundary by early afternoon. Steering level winds, although light, will attempt to steer developing thunderstorms back toward the East coast. On launch day, the surface trough remains in South Georgia. Similar conditions to MLP roll are expected with a small threat of an isolated shower or thunderstorm during the count. West-southwest winds gusting in the low to mid-teens are expected. The primary concerns for launch day are Cumulus Clouds associated with isolated showers. In the event of a 48 hour delay, the aforementioned surface trough pushes into the peninsula with moisture pooling in advance of the surface trough and an increased threat of isolated showers and thunderstorms. The primary concerns for a 48 hour delay are Cumulus Clouds.
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#32
by
jacqmans
on 11 Aug, 2010 03:17
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Team Prepares Satellite in Atlas V Rocket Nose Cone for Launch
SUNNYVALE, Calif., August 10, 2010 -- The first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite was encapsulated into the fairing in preparation for a mid-August liftoff aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Designed and built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., the AEHF will deliver survivable, protected, secure links to U.S. national leaders, air, land and sea forces, providing rapid, global coverage for the nations strategic forces, the Air Forces space warning assets and operationally deployed military forces. The AEHF constellation will also serve international partners including Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
One AEHF satellite will provide greater total capacity that the entire Milstar constellation. Individual user data rates will be five times improved. The higher data rates will permit transmission of tactical military communication such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data.
The AEHF team is led by the U.S. Air Force Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the AEHF prime contractor and system manager, with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., as the payload provider.
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#33
by
DanWerts
on 11 Aug, 2010 14:47
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All right everyone. I'm off to ole Cocoa Beach and I'll report back on the 16th with pictures of the launch. It's a bit of a shame I won't be closer than 5.5 miles with some low powered cameras but still being able to just go down there and enjoy the event will be good enough for me.
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#34
by
kevin-rf
on 12 Aug, 2010 00:00
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Any good locations where I could watch the launch while getting in an 18 mile long run saturday morning?
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#35
by
Antares
on 12 Aug, 2010 03:30
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#36
by
Rocket Guy
on 12 Aug, 2010 05:13
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All right everyone. I'm off to ole Cocoa Beach and I'll report back on the 16th with pictures of the launch. It's a bit of a shame I won't be closer than 5.5 miles with some low powered cameras but still being able to just go down there and enjoy the event will be good enough for me.
FYI, the gate to Playalinda does not open until "sunrise" on a normal day and it's several miles out to the beach parking lot from there. It would be somewhat risky. If you are viewing from Port Canaveral, though, the distance is about 12 miles. The VC/tours don't open that early.
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#37
by
DanWerts
on 12 Aug, 2010 15:07
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All right everyone. I'm off to ole Cocoa Beach and I'll report back on the 16th with pictures of the launch. It's a bit of a shame I won't be closer than 5.5 miles with some low powered cameras but still being able to just go down there and enjoy the event will be good enough for me.
FYI, the gate to Playalinda does not open until "sunrise" on a normal day and it's several miles out to the beach parking lot from there. It would be somewhat risky. If you are viewing from Port Canaveral, though, the distance is about 12 miles. The VC/tours don't open that early.
Thanksfor the information about that. It'll help in picking out a spot.
Just an FYI I have FINALLY arrived. I am at the Dennys off of route 402 in titusville. A friend and I are gonna roll down to cocoa beach, get a hotel room, then roll up to the KSC.
Expect a full report come the 14th post launch.
(I wonder if they'll be having a broadcast over the usual bands (HAM and AM/FM radio) for the launch...)
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#38
by
kevin-rf
on 12 Aug, 2010 17:35
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http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3954432
Start near the southernmost point, time it so you're at the jetty at T=0, which doesn't work so well for a 2hr window. But low tide is about right.
Not a bad idea, other than it's sand... might not be a bad idea to do a loop, start at the start of the window heading north (to bad Atlas's like to go at the start of the window) and turn my back to it at the end of the window heading back towards the car.
Thanks for the Pedo link... Wonder if I can do something looping around port canveral... That or push myself to do my long run tomorrow instead of Saturday.
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#39
by
kermit
on 12 Aug, 2010 18:30
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All right everyone. I'm off to ole Cocoa Beach and I'll report back on the 16th with pictures of the launch. It's a bit of a shame I won't be closer than 5.5 miles with some low powered cameras but still being able to just go down there and enjoy the event will be good enough for me.
FYI, the gate to Playalinda does not open until "sunrise" on a normal day and it's several miles out to the beach parking lot from there. It would be somewhat risky. If you are viewing from Port Canaveral, though, the distance is about 12 miles. The VC/tours don't open that early.
The road to playalinda beach normally opens at 6:00 AM. I called the Canaveral National Seashore HQ and they said the road will be open as far as she knew. She did not sound too sure of that.
The Air Force launch hazard map extends to north of Playalinda Beach.
If I were going there I'd call them tomorrow (321-267-1110) to check.
This area has been open on some Atlas launches, but none recently.
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#40
by
jacqmans
on 12 Aug, 2010 20:19
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U.S. Air Force Ready to Launch First Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Built by Lockheed Martin
Date(s): 12-Aug-2010 12:37 PM
For a complete listing of our news releases, please click here
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., Aug 12, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The U.S. Air Force's first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite, designed and built by a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) team, is ready to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on Saturday, August 14. The launch window is 7:07 to 9:06 a.m. EDT.
The AEHF system will provide survivable, protected, assured, communications to the U.S. government, warfighters and international partners, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the Netherlands. Building upon the success of the current five-satellite Milstar constellation, AEHF will provide 10 times greater total capacity and offer channel data rates six times higher than that of Milstar II satellites. The higher data rates permit transmission of tactical military communications such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data.
"AEHF represents a new era of global protected communications that will provide significantly improved, assured connectivity to a greater number of warfighters," said Mike Davis, Lockheed Martin's AEHF vice president. "The team has executed a smooth and efficient transition to the launch pad and we look forward to achieving mission success for our customer."
The AEHF team is led by the U.S. Air Force Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the AEHF prime contractor and system manager, with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., as the payload provider.
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#41
by
psloss
on 13 Aug, 2010 12:23
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Rolled out to the pad in the last hour or so.
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#42
by
psloss
on 13 Aug, 2010 12:24
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#43
by
Ben the Space Brit
on 13 Aug, 2010 13:00
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An impressive-looking bird.
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#44
by
Chris Bergin
on 13 Aug, 2010 14:01
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Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. (Aug.13, 2010) - A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Air Force’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency-1 (AEHF-1) satellite rolls out to its Space Launch Complex-41 launch pad arriving at 7:25 a.m. EDT today. The launch of the AEHF-1 mission is set for Saturday with a launch window of 7:07-9:06 a.m. EDT. The AEHF constellation of satellites will provide 10 times greater capacity and channel data rates six times higher than that of the existing Milstar II communications satellites.
Photos by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.
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#45
by
awalters
on 13 Aug, 2010 18:52
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Roll out was this morning and all appears ready to go.
Here are some pic from the pad.
Alan
awaltersphoto.com
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#46
by
Chris Bergin
on 13 Aug, 2010 19:35
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Very nice Alan! Check your messages (My Messages at the top of the screen, will be in red
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#47
by
wb2uzr
on 13 Aug, 2010 22:38
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All right everyone. I'm off to ole Cocoa Beach and I'll report back on the 16th with pictures of the launch. It's a bit of a shame I won't be closer than 5.5 miles with some low powered cameras but still being able to just go down there and enjoy the event will be good enough for me.
FYI, the gate to Playalinda does not open until "sunrise" on a normal day and it's several miles out to the beach parking lot from there. It would be somewhat risky. If you are viewing from Port Canaveral, though, the distance is about 12 miles. The VC/tours don't open that early.
Thanksfor the information about that. It'll help in picking out a spot.
Just an FYI I have FINALLY arrived. I am at the Dennys off of route 402 in titusville. A friend and I are gonna roll down to cocoa beach, get a hotel room, then roll up to the KSC.
Expect a full report come the 14th post launch.
(I wonder if they'll be having a broadcast over the usual bands (HAM and AM/FM radio) for the launch...)
If the guys from LISATS are rebroadcasting the audio, it will be on their 146.940 repeater. Don't know if they will be rebroadcasting this launch, but give a listen.
Scott/WB2UZR
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#48
by
Chris Bergin
on 13 Aug, 2010 22:48
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Moved for live coverage - seen as we're about L-12 hours
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#49
by
DanWerts
on 13 Aug, 2010 23:32
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Ok, some updates since today has been a busy day:
Went on a walkthrough yesterday checking out some of the Attractions at the KSC visitors center.
Found out about 4 hours too late that I can use my military ID and clearance to Access Canaveral itself and have access to the causeway as well as the museum (Oh well maybe next time).
Today went out to Canaveral itself and checked out some of the old pads (Including 34)
Oh, whoever owns a blue charger, I saw you taking pictures today!
Oddly enough, we were told not to take photos of the Delta assembly building (Which had its' entire south side open for all to see.) We then drove out past 40 and saw the Beast itself.
I'm kind of interested to see the results of the AEHF system myself simply because Of my job line (Signals Analyst).
Tomorrow I will pick out my early morning launch viewing spot and get plenty of video. (I'm gonna make a final decision on this later).
On the entertainment side, I picked up some nice little souvenirs from the Space center.
Ok thats about all I got. In other news, I ran into a rick something from ULA who advised I check out Lockheed martin since they are always looking for Signals analysts who want to work in KSC and other Satellite ground sites (I know I know, there's very little Satellite work at KSC)
I'll keep an ear on 146.94 throughout the night and pick up a nice viewing spot in the morning.
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#50
by
kermit
on 14 Aug, 2010 01:19
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I'll keep an ear on 146.94 throughout the night and pick up a nice viewing spot in the morning.
I've heard Atlas countdowns on 148.485 from CCAFS.
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#51
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 02:17
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ULA PAO e-mail out a note they had been working an issue with the Eastern Range, but they've resolved it and launch is still on track.
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#52
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 02:38
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#53
by
Jim
on 14 Aug, 2010 02:40
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Found out about 4 hours too late that I can use my military ID and clearance to Access Canaveral itself and have access to the causeway as well as the museum (Oh well maybe next time).
That is new. Before everybody needed a badge.
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#54
by
edkyle99
on 14 Aug, 2010 04:35
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#55
by
Hunts Villain
on 14 Aug, 2010 07:25
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Clearing the pad for launch.
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#56
by
ksc_houston
on 14 Aug, 2010 08:05
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Any video coverage?
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#57
by
butters
on 14 Aug, 2010 08:44
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#58
by
Hunts Villain
on 14 Aug, 2010 08:55
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Go for cryo load.
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#59
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 10:52
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Just a static image on the webcast at the moment
Although it looks nice
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#60
by
butters
on 14 Aug, 2010 10:53
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T-4m and holding:
rtsp://163.205.10.21:8080/encoder/aevideo1.rm
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#61
by
Hunts Villain
on 14 Aug, 2010 10:53
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In the hold. No issues. Spacecraft is internal.
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#62
by
Hunts Villain
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:00
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All stations report ready to come out of the hold.
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#63
by
MikeMi.
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:02
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Do you still have also static images in that stream?
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#64
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:03
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Do you still have also static images in that stream?
Yes
Use this one instead
rtsp://163.205.10.21:8080/encoder/aevideo1.rm
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#65
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:03
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#66
by
wjbarnett
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:03
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no webcast?
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#67
by
DaveS
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:04
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#68
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:05
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#69
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:08
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#70
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:08
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#71
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:08
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#72
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:09
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#73
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:09
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#74
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:10
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#75
by
DaveS
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:10
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Is the Atlas performing a dog-leg maneuver?
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#76
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:11
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#77
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:12
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#78
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:18
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#79
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:26
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#80
by
Art LeBrun
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:27
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Was there a camera angle change or a yaw maneuver after SRB sep?
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#81
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:29
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#82
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:34
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Managed to find some Wi-fi. Well done to Aaron, again!
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#83
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:35
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Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance
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#84
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:35
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#85
by
MikeMi.
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:36
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Was there a camera angle change or a yaw maneuver after SRB sep?
For me it was maneuver. Couple screens from that moment (with boosters sep) :
ps: sorry for attachin 4 pics!
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#86
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:36
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21 mins now until spacecraft sep
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#87
by
Art LeBrun
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:39
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Was there a camera angle change or a yaw maneuver after SRB sep?
For me it was maneuver. Couple screens from that moment (with boosters sep) :
ps: sorry for attachin 4 pics!
Thank you. The 4 stills (frames) make it obvious............
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#88
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:46
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Wonderful promo video for the bird. ULA should archive them if allowed.
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#89
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:46
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#90
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:55
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Centaur despin for S/C Sep.
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#91
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:56
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#92
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:56
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Two mins remaining ahead of sep.
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#93
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:58
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AEHF Spacecraft Sep! Congrats to all involved!
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#94
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:59
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#95
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:59
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Lots of clapping there happy !
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#96
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 11:59
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AEHF-1 will be joined by the next two AEHF satellites to be launched during the next two years by ULA.
This launch marks the fifth mission overall and third Atlas V mission for ULA in 2010. AEHF-1 represents the latest “one-at-a-time” mission success which has been accomplished 43 times since ULA was formed on Dec. 1, 2006.
“ULA is proud to have played an important role in the successful launch of the first of three AEHF satellites for this critical constellation that will directly support the war fighter on the battlefield,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations. “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. We look forward to launching AEHF-2 in 2011.”
This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V 531 launch vehicle configuration. The mission used an Atlas V common core booster powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine, three Aerojet solid rocket motors, a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10A upper stage engine and a 5.4-meter diameter Ruag composite payload fairing.
ULA's next launch, currently scheduled for Sept. 20, is an Atlas V from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. It is a National Reconnaissance Office mission in support of national defense.
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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#97
by
racshot65
on 14 Aug, 2010 12:00
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Launch is being replayed for anyone who missed it
Feed has gone dead thats it !
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#98
by
ugordan
on 14 Aug, 2010 12:02
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Did anyone record the webcast? Missed the launch here.
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#99
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Aug, 2010 12:06
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#100
by
Antares
on 14 Aug, 2010 12:18
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Was there a camera angle change or a yaw maneuver after SRB sep?
Like Shuttle, it flies open loop prior to SRB sep and then corrects to the programmed trajectory.
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#101
by
Stephan
on 14 Aug, 2010 13:40
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#102
by
awalters
on 14 Aug, 2010 13:56
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Here are some of my shots!
Alan
awaltersphoto.com
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#103
by
edkyle99
on 14 Aug, 2010 16:11
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Interesting that AEHF 1 went supersynchronous (222 x 50,245 km x 22.2 deg), rather than the standard looking GTO orbit (191.5 x 35,786 km x 27 deg) listed in the press kit.
The only reason I can imagine that a "right turn" dogleg would be needed for this launch would be to put the solids into a more northerly drop zone.
- Ed Kyle
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#104
by
EE Scott
on 14 Aug, 2010 16:51
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Great shots Alan, thanks for posting those pictures.
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#105
by
DanWerts
on 14 Aug, 2010 20:53
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Alright finally back.
Some ridiculously awesome things happened today and I will be uploading the pictures (And video) when I get time in the next few days.
Ok so long story short I showed up at the canaveral enterance today and got informed I was allowed to go back to building 1645. There, We got to meet with a number of ULA guys who worked on the satellite. After conversing with them and a few air force cats (Mostly brass), We watched as it went up. Due to a slight snafu, all I could do was videotape (No focus that could track on the launch) and up and away that bad boy went.
It was an awesome launch. I can't wait to find time on monday to sort through the pictures and video!
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#106
by
edkyle99
on 15 Aug, 2010 14:43
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A Huntsville newspaper - forget the name - reported that AV-019 was the first Atlas V to "go through" ULA's Decatur plant. The implication was that the Atlas was not actually fabricated in Decatur, but no details were provided. Does anyone know the details?
- Ed Kyle
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#107
by
Jim
on 15 Aug, 2010 14:44
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A Huntsville newspaper - forget the name - reported that AV-019 was the first Atlas V to "go through" ULA's Decatur plant. The implication was that the Atlas was not actually fabricated in Decatur, but no details were provided. Does anyone know the details?
- Ed Kyle
The tanks were made in Denver, but the rest of the assembly was in Decatur.
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#108
by
edkyle99
on 15 Aug, 2010 14:55
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A Huntsville newspaper - forget the name - reported that AV-019 was the first Atlas V to "go through" ULA's Decatur plant. The implication was that the Atlas was not actually fabricated in Decatur, but no details were provided. Does anyone know the details?
- Ed Kyle
The tanks were made in Denver, but the rest of the assembly was in Decatur.
Thanks! Has tank fabrication subsequently moved to Decatur?
- Ed Kyle
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#109
by
Satori
on 15 Aug, 2010 16:42
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Did anyone managed to catch the exact launch time? Thanks!
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#110
by
sdsds
on 16 Aug, 2010 02:37
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The tanks were made in Denver, but the rest of the assembly was in Decatur.
Thanks! Has tank fabrication subsequently moved to Decatur?
Sorry to be dumb, but does this refer to tanks for the CCB, the Centaur, or both?
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#111
by
Gus
on 16 Aug, 2010 05:23
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A Huntsville newspaper - forget the name - reported that AV-019 was the first Atlas V to "go through" ULA's Decatur plant. The implication was that the Atlas was not actually fabricated in Decatur, but no details were provided. Does anyone know the details?
- Ed Kyle
CCB tanks were made in Denver, Centaur tank was made in San Diego, most of the final assembly was done in Denver. Decatur completed some final testing prior to going to the Cape.
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#112
by
DanWerts
on 16 Aug, 2010 07:38
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Did anyone managed to catch the exact launch time? Thanks!
According to my cell phone (Which struck just as the count hit zero over the loudspeaker) I had 0704and 5 seconds. Just as the window opened.
Hey Al, were you on the roof of 1645 too?
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#113
by
jacqmans
on 16 Aug, 2010 14:29
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First Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Built by Lockheed Martin Launched Successfully
Date(s): 14-Aug-2010 8:16 AM
National asset will provide significant new communications capabilities to warfighter
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., Aug 14, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) for the U.S. Air Force, was successfully launched today from Cape Canaveral aboard an Atlas V rocket provided by the United Launch Alliance. The satellite is the most technologically advanced military communications satellite ever developed and will provide significantly improved global, survivable, highly secure, protected communications for warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms.
"This morning's successful launch is testimony to the dedication, skill and operational excellence of the entire government-industry AEHF team," said Col. Michael Sarchet, commander of the Protected Satellite Communications Group at the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center. "For over 15 years, the Milstar constellation has served as the backbone of secure military communications, helping the military operate in a secure mode without concern of enemy interference. AEHF will significantly enhance our national security space architecture, and we eagerly anticipate providing this new capability to the warfighter."
A single AEHF satellite will provide greater total capacity than the entire Milstar constellation currently on-orbit. Individual user data rates can be up to five times higher than Milstar's highest speed. The higher data rates will permit transmission of tactical military communications, such as higher-quality real-time video and faster access to battlefield maps and targeting data. In addition to its tactical mission, AEHF will also provide the critical survivable, protected, and endurable communications to the National Command Authority including presidential conferencing in all levels of conflict. The AEHF constellation will also serve international partners including Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
"Our number one priority is delivering mission success for our customer," said Mike Davis, Lockheed Martin's AEHF vice president. "The AEHF system will vastly improve battlefield communications, delivering secure, real-time, connectivity to a greater number of forces in the field, and their commanders anywhere on the globe. We look forward to successfully executing the next steps necessary to making this national asset operational for the warfighter."
The AEHF team is led by the U.S. Air Force Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the AEHF prime contractor, space and ground segments provider as well as system integrator, with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., as the payload provider.
"We are proud to be part of the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin team that has worked so hard to launch this capability vital to our warfighters," said Stuart Linsky, vice president, Protected SatCom Programs, for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.
Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide three Advanced EHF satellites and command control system to its customer, the Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing at the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles, Calif. A production contract for a fourth AEHF spacecraft is expected to be awarded later this year.
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#114
by
DanWerts
on 18 Aug, 2010 02:51
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Put my video up finally. For some reason yesterday, the upload kept on aborting but I finally got it loaded and it is live.
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#115
by
TJL
on 21 Aug, 2010 15:21
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Great video, Dan.
Really enjoyed it!
How far away were you?
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#116
by
wjbarnett
on 22 Aug, 2010 23:39
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#117
by
Ben the Space Brit
on 23 Aug, 2010 07:59
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Well, bad news for the DoD and, potentially for Lockheed-Martin's spacecraft division. However, I'm pleased to say, it does not at this stage appear to have been caused by an LV fault. So, Atlas-V's record is not adversely affected in a time when political buzzards are looking for opportunities with Commercial Space.
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#118
by
Antares
on 23 Aug, 2010 15:51
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Sounds like what happened with, what was it, TDRS-I? They eventually fully recovered the spacecraft. It just took a long time to get to GEO.
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#119
by
Olaf
on 28 Aug, 2010 13:08
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#120
by
edkyle99
on 29 Aug, 2010 04:37
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#121
by
marshal
on 30 Aug, 2010 01:17
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#122
by
kevin-rf
on 30 Aug, 2010 13:44
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#123
by
Antares
on 30 Aug, 2010 14:46
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Lower thrust at the same Isp would entail some minor additional gravity losses, no?
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#124
by
PDJennings
on 30 Aug, 2010 15:43
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Does the reaction engine assembly (REA) tap the same tanks (I assume Hydrazine) as the failed liquid apogee engine system (LAE)? Meaning it will take longer to get to it's final orbit, but will not shorten it's on orbit lifetime?
Lifetime will be shortened because the on board oxidizer cannot be used except for the LAE. If the LAE is completely non-functional, that oxidizer is dead weight.
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#125
by
Space Pete
on 30 Aug, 2010 19:40
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#126
by
butters
on 31 Aug, 2010 02:30
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They're saying that lifetime will not be cut short, but I don't see how that could be, unless they're depending on built-in margins or reducing any planned on-orbit maneuvering capabilities.
Even if the hydrazine storage is shared between the two chemical propulsion systems (best-case scenario), the monopropellant system must have a significantly lower Isp than the bipropellant system.
It will take more time to reach operational status and expend more fuel in doing so. Therefore the useful lifetime must be reduced unless I'm missing something.
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#127
by
Space Pete
on 31 Aug, 2010 20:37
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#128
by
kevin-rf
on 01 Sep, 2010 13:56
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Correct me if I am wrong, but this means more dips than planned through the Van Allen. That means the solar cells will have degraded more than planned... Impacting end of life power availability?
Also, spaceflightnow.com had an article with some very good direct quotes monday.
http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av019/100830orbit.htmlMadden says AEHF 1 could reach the desired geosynchronous orbit sometime next summer, 7 to 9 months later than scheduled. But the satellite should have enough residual propellant to operate for its full 14-year mission life.
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#129
by
edkyle99
on 01 Sep, 2010 15:25
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They're saying that lifetime will not be cut short, but I don't see how that could be, unless they're depending on built-in margins or reducing any planned on-orbit maneuvering capabilities.
Even if the hydrazine storage is shared between the two chemical propulsion systems (best-case scenario), the monopropellant system must have a significantly lower Isp than the bipropellant system.
This would be offset to a large degree, I suspect, by use of the Aerojet BPT-4000 Hall Effect Thrusters to provide what looks to be a majority of the Delta-V. BPT-4000 has an ISP greater than 1,900 seconds according to some references.
I agree, however, that this maneuvering seems likely to reduce spacecraft life. It may make it to the "advertised" 14 years, but may not make the hoped for years beyond that minimum spec.
I wonder if they'll be able to dump the now-useless oxidizer before performing the maneuvers. That would be a big help.
Here, BTW, is an interesting script of a press conference statement related to the AEHF problems.
http://www.fiercegovernmentit.com/pages/dave-madden-media-roundtable-opening-statement - Ed Kyle
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#130
by
kevin-rf
on 01 Sep, 2010 17:31
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Thanks Ed
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#131
by
Targeteer
on 02 Sep, 2010 01:28
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Not that I want to defend my Air Force space brethren too much after their slew of program management/oversight disasters, but since the satellite is "based" on the A2100, is the propulsion system (i.e. the failed motor) standard and not a failure of some new, AF-specific modification?
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#132
by
tonngo0
on 02 Sep, 2010 03:36
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Anyone on here has a high resolution picture of the AEHF 1 launch please post.
Thanks
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#133
by
WHAP
on 02 Sep, 2010 21:47
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#134
by
jcm
on 04 Sep, 2010 00:14
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What is the LAE that failed? A lot of A2100 model satellites used AMPAC's Leros 1 LAE, but AMPAC informs me that this one is NOT a Leros 1 (sorry for the text on my site earlier that guessed that it was...)
It doesn't look to be an Aerojet R-4D either, based on the Aerojet press release that touted all their bits on the mission but didn't mention the LAE.
The thrust is quoted as 100 lb (440 N) which seems to rule out the 400N Astrium thruster (unlikely on political grounds anyway).
I don't think Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne are back in the LAE business?
A possibility is the Northrop Grumman TR-308 engine used for Chandra, or even the engine developed by NRL for MITEX. In any case, it looks like the thruster used is not one of the ones with extensive flight history, unless (quite possible) I'm missing some obvious candidate.
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#135
by
Jim
on 04 Sep, 2010 02:02
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I heard that it might have been a Japanese thruster.
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#136
by
jcm
on 04 Sep, 2010 03:36
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I heard that it might have been a Japanese thruster.
Interesting. That would probably be the IHI 500N thruster used by Orbital on its Star-2 series. That's 112 lb thrust rather than 100lb but I guess that's within the reporting accuracy.
It's flown successfully on 17 Orbital Star 2 satellites.
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#137
by
sdsds
on 04 Sep, 2010 05:29
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I heard that it might have been a Japanese thruster.
Interesting. That would probably be the IHI 500N thruster used by Orbital on its Star-2 series. That's 112 lb thrust rather than 100lb but I guess that's within the reporting accuracy.
It's flown successfully on 17 Orbital Star 2 satellites.
Any of those on Atlas? Is there any chance the launch environment brought out a failure mode not seen on other vehicles?
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#138
by
jcm
on 04 Sep, 2010 14:23
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I heard that it might have been a Japanese thruster.
Interesting. That would probably be the IHI 500N thruster used by Orbital on its Star-2 series. That's 112 lb thrust rather than 100lb but I guess that's within the reporting accuracy.
It's flown successfully on 17 Orbital Star 2 satellites.
Any of those on Atlas? Is there any chance the launch environment brought out a failure mode not seen on other vehicles?
I believe this would be the first Atlas flight with one. Previous flights used Proton, Zenit-3SL, Ariane 5, Soyuz-Fregat.
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#139
by
edkyle99
on 04 Sep, 2010 21:18
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I heard that it might have been a Japanese thruster.
Interesting. That would probably be the IHI 500N thruster used by Orbital on its Star-2 series. That's 112 lb thrust rather than 100lb but I guess that's within the reporting accuracy.
It's flown successfully on 17 Orbital Star 2 satellites.
This, or something like it, might be used by Cygnus as well.
Question. Will IHI, if it is IHI, have to pay any penalties for this loss? (Assuming that it was actually a thruster failure, and not a software or other propulsion system failure.) If the back up plans don't work, the bill would work out to about $2.2 billion.
- Ed Kyle
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#140
by
edkyle99
on 06 Sep, 2010 14:45
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One of the very interesting things that the AEHF backup propulsion plan highlights, if it works, is the impressive propellant (and liftoff mass) reduction possible with use of Hall effect thrusters not just for station keeping, but for orbital maneuvering. If the plan had been to use Hall thrusters all along for much of the orbit change from GTO to GEO, it might have been possible to use a much smaller, cheaper rocket for the launch. Something like a straight EELV Medium, or even, if it were ready for a 2nd stage restart mission, a Falcon 9.
I wonder why this concept has yet to be adopted? The longer ascent to orbit and Time=Money?
- Ed Kyle
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#141
by
JosephB
on 07 Sep, 2010 01:07
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Good point. This is the first I've heard of HCT, which isn't all that surprising, but they sure seem to be an impressive bit of technology (especially if they can save the day.)
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#142
by
kevin-rf
on 07 Sep, 2010 16:00
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I wonder why this concept has yet to be adopted? The longer ascent to orbit and Time=Money?
What about more time spent in the Van Allen? You still need a "high" thrust engine to raise the perigee out of the upper atmosphere.
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#143
by
tonngo0
on 08 Sep, 2010 21:12
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#144
by
jcm
on 10 Sep, 2010 19:59
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It looks like the USAF are refusing to say who built the LAE. AvWeek says USAF wouldn't tell them; USAF (SMC) haven't replied to *my* email either, and Lockheed referred me to USAF. Nevertheless, I conclude that the manufacturer is probably IHI, from lack of other plausible candidates.
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#145
by
Skyrocket
on 10 Sep, 2010 21:22
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It looks like the USAF are refusing to say who built the LAE. AvWeek says USAF wouldn't tell them; USAF (SMC) haven't replied to *my* email either, and Lockheed referred me to USAF. Nevertheless, I conclude that the manufacturer is probably IHI, from lack of other plausible candidates.
The same from my research - i hope to get some info from IHI, but i have not received anything by now.
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#146
by
Targeteer
on 12 Sep, 2010 15:25
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Interesting although not terribly surprising I guess, that the manufacturer hasn't been/doesn't want to be identified. Success is always trumpeted while failure is not. Could the system be a previously unidentified one used only on classified systems and thus ID of the manufacturer is undesirable?
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#147
by
edkyle99
on 12 Sep, 2010 17:04
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It looks like the USAF are refusing to say who built the LAE. AvWeek says USAF wouldn't tell them; USAF (SMC) haven't replied to *my* email either, and Lockheed referred me to USAF. Nevertheless, I conclude that the manufacturer is probably IHI, from lack of other plausible candidates.
The same from my research - i hope to get some info from IHI, but i have not received anything by now.
If IHI doesn't jump to *deny* that it made the engine, we'll have our answer I think.
- Ed Kyle
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#148
by
marsavian
on 18 Oct, 2010 12:30
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http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av019/101017hct.htmlDespite the crisis that prompted the heroics to recover the satellite's mission, the Air Force remains confident the craft will achieve the correct orbit and have enough residual fuel for operations to fulfill its 14-year life to relay communications between the president, military commanders and troops on the battlefield.
"We have adequate hydrazine left over from the last burn to be able to do full operations, and all of our projections associated with the xenon that we have available for the Hall Current Thrusters (show) we will have adequate xenon available when we get on-orbit to also sustain a 14-year life or longer," Madden said.
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#149
by
kevin-rf
on 20 Oct, 2010 13:19
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#150
by
edkyle99
on 20 Oct, 2010 14:34
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New article:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av019/101019aehf2.html
AEHF-2 Delay'd to 2012
Confirms IHI engine
Indicates problem not with the IHI engine, but somewhere further back in the propulsion system.
Provides revised Atlas schedule.
What does that leave as potential culprits? Pressure regulators? Valves? Are tank heaters used?
- Ed Kyle
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#151
by
kevin-rf
on 20 Oct, 2010 23:05
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It did mention a potential work manship issue. Loose insulation blanket?
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#152
by
Antares
on 21 Oct, 2010 04:17
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Honestly, the way the various cultures work (both national and corporate) it could very well be the IHI engine, despite what is being said. There are many, many cases in this industry over the years of public spin opposite what really happened. Crucial is that those who know what really happened correct it for s/n #2. Allowing a guilty party to save face is one thing, being burned twice is another.
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#153
by
kevin-rf
on 15 Nov, 2010 17:50
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#154
by
kevin-rf
on 03 Feb, 2011 16:22
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#155
by
marsavian
on 10 Oct, 2011 12:31
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#156
by
sdsds
on 02 Nov, 2011 04:05
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AEHF-1 Satellite Arrives at Its Operational Orbit After 14-Month Journey
10/28/2011 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The U.S. Air Force's first Advanced Extremely High Frequency military communications satellite completed a 14-month journey to reach its intended operational position in geosynchronous orbit, Oct. 24 [after] a sophisticated campaign of approximately 500 burnshttp://www.afspc.af.mil/news1/story.asp?id=123277770
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#157
by
HIPAR
on 12 Nov, 2011 15:53
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11/3/2011 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, El Segundo, Calif -- The U.S. Air Force's first Advanced Extremely High Frequency military communications satellite has completed initial activation of the protected communications payload and has begun on-orbit testing.http://www.losangeles.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123278534A defective satellite .. a spectacular satellite rescue! My hat's off honoring those who worked the problem.
--- CHAS
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#158
by
The-Hammer
on 04 Jan, 2012 10:30
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Wired: Risky Rescue for Crippled Air Force SatelliteIt was an epic space rescue that, in audacity and risk, echoed NASA’s campaign to save the astronauts aboard the doomed Apollo 13 moon mission. The biggest difference between the 1970 Apollo operation and the 14-month recovery of AEHF-1, an Air Force communications satellite, is that money was the only thing immediately at stake in the latter.
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#159
by
kevin-rf
on 04 Jan, 2012 12:45
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