ULA Atlas V 551 - AEHF-5 - August 8, 2019 (10:13 UTC)

[Ronsmytheiii]

Thread covering the Atlas V mission with AEHF-5

NSF Atlas V articles:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=Atlas%2BV

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Seems The USAF has awarded the AEHF-5 to ULA as part of the block buy.

United Launch Alliance has been awarded a $138.7 million contract modification to produce an Atlas V 541 launch vehicle system for the U.S. Air Force.

https://www.govconwire.com/2016/06/ula-lands-139m-modification-on-atlas-v-production-services-contract-with-usaf/

AEHF-5 confirmation here:

http://spacenews.com/ula-to-launch-air-forces-aehf-5-satellite-in-2018/

[ZachS09]

Why the 541 config? I thought the first three were launched on the 531 config...

[kevin-rf]

Extra margin? Modifications that led to weight growth? 

[russianhalo117]

Why the 541 config? I thought the first three were launched on the 531 config...

AEHF-4, 5, 6 were originally planned as new block containing further improvements. LM archived data stated the 1-3 was the Block I IOC and 4-6 was the Block II FOC

[ZachS09]

If that's so, then AEHF-4 should be launched on the 541 config instead of the 531.

[russianhalo117]

If that's so, then AEHF-4 should be launch on the 541 config instead of the 531.

I do not have a confirmation regarding the AEHF-4 Launcher config. AEHF-5 and 6 according to LM are scheduled to fly on AV (541) config. LM and USAF would be the corporation and agency to contact respectively for clarification.

[Newton_V]

If that's so, then AEHF-4 should be launch on the 541 config instead of the 531.

I do not have a confirmation regarding the AEHF-4 Launcher config. AEHF-5 and 6 according to LM are scheduled to fly on AV (541) config. LM and USAF would be the corporation and agency to contact respectively for clarification.

AEHF-4 is on a 531.

[Targeteer]

https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2018-05-21-Lockheed-Martins-Fifth-AEHF-Protected-Communications-Satellite-Completes-Launch-Environment-Test

Lockheed Martin's Fifth AEHF Protected Communications Satellite Completes Launch Environment Test

 SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently put its fifth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-5) satellite through its paces in realistic simulations of its future launch experience. The satellite completed the tests successfully and is now in system-level testing in preparation for delivery to the U.S. Air Force in 2019.

For the 39 days of Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) testing, AEHF-5 was subjected to extreme cold and heat in zero atmosphere, to simulate its upcoming on-orbit life. TVAC is a part of a battery of tests that ensure a satellite will arrive in space functionally sound and ready to operate through the extreme temperature changes of space.

    AEHF-4 (foreground) with the antenna wings extended and AEHF-5 (background) visible in the open DELTA chamber.
    AEHF-4 and AEHF-5

Following the TVAC test series, AEHF-5 completed acoustic testing, where the satellite was subjected to high intensity, low frequency sound waves that simulated the vibrations generated by a rocket propelling its payload from zero to over 17,500 miles per hour in under eight minutes.

"TVAC and acoustic tests are critical milestones in the production cycle of a satellite, where we have one shot to get it right, so we take every precaution to ensure the vehicle is ready for the harsh space environment. We design and build our AEHF satellites to serve our military's strategic and tactical protected communications needs. The team and the satellite performed flawlessly, and AEHF-5 is now in system level testing," said Michael Cacheiro, vice president for Protected Communications at Lockheed Martin Space.

Following its anticipated 2019 launch, the satellite will join the AEHF constellation that continues to provide global, highly-secure, protected and survivable communications for U.S. and allied warfighters on ground, sea and air platforms.

In addition to AEHF-5, the fourth AEHF satellite is rapidly nearing the end of its production journey. AEHF-4 will be shipped to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station later this year in preparation for a launch on an Atlas V launch vehicle. Once on-orbit, AEHF-4 will complete the minimum constellation of AEHF satellites needed to bring global Extended Data Rate (XDR) connectivity to warfighters and international partners.

"XDR adds an unprecedented protected communication capability, providing 10 times more communications throughput than the legacy MILSTAR constellation," stated Cacheiro.

The AEHF team is led by the U.S. Air Force Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the AEHF prime contractor and system manager, with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., as the satellite payload provider.

For additional information about AEHF visit: www.lockheedmartin.com\aehf

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

[zubenelgenubi]

July 10 update to SFN Launch Schedule:
AEHF-5 launches on an Atlas V 551 from Canaveral SLC-41 in early 2019.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

Can someone, perhaps from ULA, confirm if this mission will also be flown on an Atlas V 551 as opposed to a 541 or 531?

Yes, a 551.
They were all originally planned to be on the 531 configuration.  Late last year, -4 was changed from the 531 to the 551.  I think earlier in 2017, -5 and -6 were already baselined as 551's, as integration for those missions really hadn't begun yet. (maybe some LEI was done, not sure how much)

[vaporcobra]

NET July 2019 per a USAF program manager on ULA's webcast.

[zubenelgenubi]

Launch date: June 27, 2019
Source: SFN Launch Schedule, updated Jan. 16

[Michael Baylor]

The rocket has arrived at the Cape.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-aehf-5

[russianhalo117]

The rocket has arrived at the Cape.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-aehf-5

Looks like an unpainted Centaur though the wrap..

[ZachS09]

The rocket has arrived at the Cape.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-aehf-5

Looks like an unpainted Centaur though the wrap..

Will ULA continue to paint their Centaur stages white, or will they leave them unpainted to save a few kilograms?

[Zed_Noir]

The rocket has arrived at the Cape.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-aehf-5

Looks like an unpainted Centaur though the wrap..

Will ULA continue to paint their Centaur stages white, or will they leave them unpainted to save a few kilograms?

Thought they painted the Centaur for thermal issues in orbit during the coast phase before the GTO insertion burn.

[ZachS09]

The rocket has arrived at the Cape.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-aehf-5

Looks like an unpainted Centaur though the wrap..

Will ULA continue to paint their Centaur stages white, or will they leave them unpainted to save a few kilograms?

Thought they painted the Centaur for thermal issues in orbit during the coast phase before the GTO insertion burn.

They did do that for the thermal issues. I was just curious about whether they'll do it for the rest of the Atlas V Centaurs; maybe the Vulcan Centaur when it debuts.

[Newton_V]

The rocket has arrived at the Cape.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-aehf-5

Looks like an unpainted Centaur though the wrap..

Will ULA continue to paint their Centaur stages white, or will they leave them unpainted to save a few kilograms?

Thought they painted the Centaur for thermal issues in orbit during the coast phase before the GTO insertion burn.

The only Centaurs painted white were the long mission duration ones (Sep > ~1.5 hrs) that flew with the 4 meter PLF.  The ones inside the 5 meter PLF are "bagged".  It's either one or mulitple layers of insulation that is white.  Like a big white bag.  I can't recall what Vulcan is doing.  Probably just fixed foam insulation, not sure of the color or paint.

[zubenelgenubi]

The rocket has arrived at the Cape.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-aehf-5

Mariner unloaded April 22.
***

Also:
The Lockheed Martin Built AEHF-5 Satellite for the USAF Arrives in Florida for Launch
AEHF-5 was delivered from the Lockheed Martin factory in Sunnyvale, California, to Cape Canaveral AFS, via a C-5 on April 20.  The C-5 crew are from the 22nd Airlift Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California.
***

Satellite processing should be at Astrotech, where the previous four AEHF satellites were processed for launch.
http://www.astrotechspaceoperations.com/mission-history
***

Did I miss the "memo"?
The current coverage refers to the Atlas V delivery by Mariner, not Delta Mariner.  When did ULA change the name?

[zubenelgenubi]

SFN Launch Schedule, updated May 1:
AEHF-5 launch window on June 27: 1000-1200 UTC