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#20 by Antares on 21 Feb, 2011 04:10
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If the government shuts down, do the rockets still launch?
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#21 by dsmillman on 21 Feb, 2011 11:08
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If the government shuts down, do the rockets still launch?
I think you should be more concerned with what happens to the STS-133 crew and the ISS if the Tea Party types force a government shutdown on March 4. -
#22 by psloss on 21 Feb, 2011 11:17
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As noted in the FY11 appropriations thread, there's a precedent for that -- STS-74. Probably not an issue for ongoing spacecraft/on-orbit operations, as those would be considered essential.If the government shuts down, do the rockets still launch?
I think you should be more concerned with what happens to the STS-133 crew and the ISS if the Tea Party types force a government shutdown on March 4.
Not sure about other operations or things longer term if it gets to that. (Still a big if.)
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#23 by jsmjr on 27 Feb, 2011 01:55
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Here's a shot of the launcher inside the service structure taken from the Causeway just before the STS-133 launch.
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#24 by slothead on 04 Mar, 2011 14:09
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jsmjr,
Exif data says you used an ~85mm to take that image. Where did you take it from? -
#25 by Antares on 04 Mar, 2011 14:51
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Most likely here where the tour buses stop.
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#26 by robertross on 07 Mar, 2011 00:30
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ALmost forgot I had this. Took it when I was on the 'Then & Now Tour' at KSC.
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#27 by Satori on 08 Mar, 2011 11:24
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#28 by kevin-rf on 08 Mar, 2011 12:27
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Nice!
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#29 by Galactic Penguin SST on 08 Mar, 2011 12:51
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The launch is apparently scheduled for 5:57 p.m. EST / 2257 GMT on March 11:
Link -
#30 by William Graham on 09 Mar, 2011 07:26
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LHA has been published.
http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-061109-038.doc
Due East - the payload is almost certainly an SDS satellite, the NRO have no other medium-class payloads in GSO. The last launch of a geostationary SDS satellite occurred in 2001, so they are probably due replacement. I would not be surprised to see another GSO launch within the next few years to replace the other satellite. -
#31 by Skyrocket on 09 Mar, 2011 08:47
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I would not be surprised to see another GSO launch within the next few years to replace the other satellite.
NROL-38 is a good candidate (East coast launch on an Atlas-V(401)) -
#32 by William Graham on 09 Mar, 2011 10:39
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I've been looking at the SDS launch records, and replacements seem to be launched about 10-11 years after the originals (assuming the satellites were replaced in the order that they were launched, which I cannot confirm at this time). If this pattern holds, NROL-27 will replace USA-155 (NROL-10) - the first time an SDS-3 satellite has been replaced. USA-162 (the other GSO) is due replacement next year, and USA-137 (the first Molniya) is overdue replacement by about two years.I would not be surprised to see another GSO launch within the next few years to replace the other satellite.
NROL-38 is a good candidate (East coast launch on an Atlas-V(401))
L-33 is another candidate for an SDS launch. At the moment there are no others, but there are still quite a few launches that we have no data on. -
#33 by jacqmans on 09 Mar, 2011 15:18
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#11-03-03
March 9, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Delta IV NROL-27 scheduled to launch March 11
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. – The 45th Space Wing is set to launch a Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload on March 11, 2011, from Space Launch Complex 37 here. The launch window for this mission opens at 5:57 p.m. EST.
All media representatives interested in covering the launch from the Kennedy Space Center News Center must report at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, to the parking lot at the KSC Media Services Press Accreditation Building on State Road 3 across from Air Liquide, for Air Force badging and escort. Media representatives must provide proper credentials and two forms of identification, at least one with a photo. Media representatives who are previously unaccredited for launches on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station must complete and submit the media registration form posted at www.patrick.af.mil/media/index.asp.
Drivers must have a valid current driver's license, motor vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Media representatives must follow all safety and security procedures on the installation escort instructions for official mission coverage on the Eastern Range.
(more)
2-2-2
Notes:
1. Cessation of launch commentary/official information: The flow of official information about this mission will cease at the point of payload fairing separation. No further comment
about the status of the mission will be made after this milestone.
2. Remote camera set-up: Media representatives interested in setting up remote cameras must report to the parking lot of Space Florida/SpaceX, near the CCAFS front gate, on March 3, at 2 p.m. for badging and escort to the SLC-41 area. Air Force and ULA Communications representatives plan to meet and escort media to the Kennedy Space Center Press Site. Escort and access is contingent upon operational constraints. Any foreign nationals must be badged by NASA for coverage of the STS-133 mission for access to the Press Site.
3. Live satellite feed information for broadcast:
Atlas OTV-2: Satellite Coordinates: March 11
ALL TIMES EASTERN STANDARD TIME
BROADCAST START – 5:32 P.M.
END TRANSMISSION – 7:00 P.M.
SATELLITE – AMC 6
TRANSPONDER – 5C
BAND – C-BAND ANALOG
ORBITAL POSITION – 72 DEGREES W
CARRIER – SES AMERICOM
BANDWIDTH – 36 MHz
UPLINK FREQ – 6025 MHz (Horizontal)
DOWNLINK FREQ – 3800 MHz (Vertical)
4. Webcast: The launch can be viewed via Webcast at: http://www.ulalaunch.com
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#34 by Chris Bergin on 09 Mar, 2011 21:30
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ULA:
The team continues to march toward the lift-off of ULA's Delta IV with NROL-27 from Cape Canaveral on Friday, March 11. Again, the advertised opening of launch window is 5:57 p.m. EST. The weather forecast remains the same with a 90 percent chance of acceptable weather during the launch window on Friday with a similar forecast for Saturday and Sunday. Tomorrow, the launch team will conduct the Launch Readiness Review. Also, the 45th SW PA and ULA Communications will escort photographers at 2 p.m. to set cameras at SLC-37.
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#35 by Targeteer on 10 Mar, 2011 00:30
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No, there was a report after a recent test that indicated early 2012 for their debut as I recall. A particular flight was mentioned but I don't remember.
Does anyone know if the first RS-68A flight will be on a Delta IV Heavy or Medium?
A press release gave the answer...
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne successfully completed a series of Hardware Acceptance Reviews on the first RS-68A production rocket engine, validating the world's most powerful hydrogen-fueled engine is ready to power a heavy-lift vehicle into space in support of national security. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE :UTX) company.
"RS-68A engine 30003 has demonstrated all the requirements for flight over a wide range of operating conditions," said Dan Adamski, RS-68 program manager, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. "We look forward to working with our customers to ensure the RS-68A engines powering the Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle are successful in delivering their important payload into orbit."
Engine 30003, the first of three RS-68A production engines to undergo a Hardware Acceptance Review, has been shipped to Decatur, Ala., for integration onto a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle. RS-68A production engines 30004 and 30005 will undergo Hardware Acceptance Reviews in March and April 2011, respectively, after completion of their hot-fire testing at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. These engines will then be installed onto the launch vehicle. The three engines are scheduled to boost the Delta IV Heavy next year carrying a government payload into orbit...
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#36 by jacqmans on 10 Mar, 2011 19:29
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#11-03-03
March 9, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Delta IV NROL-27 scheduled to launch March 11
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. – The 45th Space Wing is set to launch a Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload on March 11, 2011, from Space Launch Complex 37 here. The launch window for this mission opens at 5:57 p.m. EST.
All media representatives interested in covering the launch from the Kennedy Space Center News Center must report at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, to the parking lot at the KSC Media Services Press Accreditation Building on State Road 3 across from Air Liquide, for Air Force badging and escort. Media representatives must provide proper credentials and two forms of identification, at least one with a photo. Media representatives who are previously unaccredited for launches on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station must complete and submit the media registration form posted at www.patrick.af.mil/media/index.asp.
Drivers must have a valid current driver's license, motor vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Media representatives must follow all safety and security procedures on the installation escort instructions for official mission coverage on the Eastern Range.
Notes:
1. Cessation of launch commentary/official information: The flow of official information about this mission will cease at the point of payload fairing separation. No further comment
about the status of the mission will be made after this milestone.
2. Remote camera set-up: Media representatives interested in setting up remote cameras must report to the parking lot of Space Florida/SpaceX, near the CCAFS front gate, on Thursday, March 10, at 2 p.m. for badging and escort to the SLC-41 area. Air Force and ULA Communications representatives plan to meet and escort media to the Kennedy Space Center Press Site. Escort and access is contingent upon operational constraints. Any foreign nationals must be badged by NASA for coverage of the STS-133 mission for access to the Press Site.
3. Live satellite feed information for broadcast:
Atlas OTV-2: Satellite Coordinates: March 11
ALL TIMES EASTERN STANDARD TIME
BROADCAST START – 5:32 P.M.
END TRANSMISSION – 7:00 P.M.
SATELLITE – AMC 6
TRANSPONDER – 5C
BAND – C-BAND ANALOG
ORBITAL POSITION – 72 DEGREES W
CARRIER – SES AMERICOM
BANDWIDTH – 36 MHz
UPLINK FREQ – 6025 MHz (Horizontal)
DOWNLINK FREQ – 3800 MHz (Vertical)
4. Webcast: The launch can be viewed via Webcast at: http://www.ulalaunch.com
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#37 by Chris Bergin on 10 Mar, 2011 22:47
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ULA:
The launch team and our NRO customer have reviewed the readiness of the NROL-27 launch vehicle, spacecraft, and mission assets and have agreed to proceed with processing towards tomorrow's launch.
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#38 by sdsds on 10 Mar, 2011 23:05
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Quote from: ULA
The launch team and our NRO customer have reviewed the readiness of the NROL-27 launch vehicle, spacecraft, and mission assets and have agreed to proceed with processing towards tomorrow's launch.
This sounds like the output of some milestone meeting. If this were Atlas, it would have been called the Launch Readiness Review, and would have taken place, "approximately 2 days before launch." [AVUG Rev. 11, Sec. 4.1.4.4]
What does Delta call it, and when does it nominally take place? Was this one held a day later than nominal? -
#39 by Jim on 10 Mar, 2011 23:34
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LRR
L-1