Author Topic: Atlas V 501 - USSF-7 (X-37B OTV-6) - CC SLC-41 - May 17, 2020  (Read 108273 times)

Offline vapour_nudge

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I'm starting a thread on this hoping someone has the tail number for this launch. It is currently pencilled in for December this year, according to SFN, using the Atlas V 500 series with no strap-on boosters.

This suggests that OTV-5 might return to Earth beforehand.
« Last Edit: 05/17/2020 06:12 pm by input~2 »

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Interesting that the X-37B returns to Atlas V after launching on Falcon 9 last time.....

Offline Jirka Dlouhy

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Interesting that the X-37B returns to Atlas V after launching on Falcon 9 last time.....
Falcon 9 was tested as reserve launcher, by my meaning.

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: launch quarter of OTV-6, from SFN Launch Schedule, updated August 23:
second quarter 2020

EDIT 10/7
Re: launch of OTV-6 and landing of OTV-5:
This suggests that OTV-5 might return to Earth beforehand
Not necessarily--I know of no fundamental reasons (see discussion here) that the USAF can't operate both OTV vehicles on orbit simultaneously.  There may be advantages to doing so.
« Last Edit: 10/08/2019 12:01 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1181276833255428098

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#ULARocketShip has completed its first rocket-delivery voyage since getting a new name and livery. The vessel transported an #AtlasV from the factory to Cape Canaveral to launch the #AFSPC7 mission. Read more in our blog: ulalaunch.com/explore/blog-d…

Watch highlights of the arrival:

Offline CNRocketry

OTV-6 is launching next year, after Solar Orbiter

Offline TimL

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Booster and upper stage have arrived at the Cape aboard the renamed R/S RocketShip (former Delta Mariner)

www.ulalaunch.com/explore/blog-detail/blog/2019/10/07/rocketship-makes-first-delivery-after-renaming
« Last Edit: 10/21/2019 10:10 pm by TimL »
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Offline Targeteer

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Are those stages pressurized (with N2 maybe) during shipping for rigidity?
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Newton_V

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Seemed appropriate to have a couple while in town:

https://untappd.com/b/bugnutty-brewing-company-x-37b/1024469/photos
« Last Edit: 12/13/2019 01:03 am by Newton_V »

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Cross-post, update of January 13:
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
Quote
May • Atlas 5 • AFSPC 7/OTV-6
Launch period: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
« Last Edit: 01/14/2020 06:09 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Atlas V 501 - AFSPC-07 (X-37B OTV-6) - CC SLC-41 - May 2020
« Reply #10 on: 02/25/2020 10:53 am »
twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1232265997647785984

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How is AFSPC-07 looking ? still May or already more likely to be June ?

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1232268958994247680

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Good. In the ASOC being processed

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Atlas V 501 - USSF-07 (X-37B OTV-6) - CC SLC-41 - May 2020
« Reply #11 on: 03/26/2020 07:57 pm »
This is now the next ULA launch.
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Atlas V 501 - USSF-07 (X-37B OTV-6) - CC SLC-41 - May 2020
« Reply #12 on: 03/27/2020 01:34 pm »
Images from ULA on flickr

Offline PM3

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Re: Atlas V 501 - USSF-7 (X-37B OTV-6) - CC SLC-41 - May 2020
« Reply #13 on: 03/28/2020 08:39 am »
USSF-7 is up on the ULA website:

Atlas V to Launch USSF-7

• Rocket: Atlas V 501
• Mission: USSF-7
• Launch Date: May 2020
• Launch Location: Space Launch Complex-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

Mission Information: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 501 configuration rocket will launch the USSF-7 mission for the U.S. Space Force. This will mark the sixth flight of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-6).

OTV is an experimental test program to demonstrate technologies for reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the U.S. military. The primary objectives of the X-37B include reusable spacecraft technologies for America's future in space and operating experiments which can be returned to and examined on Earth.

Launch Notes: This will be the 139th mission for United Launch Alliance. It is the 84th for an Atlas V rocket and the 7th in the 501 configuration.

Launch Updates: To keep up to speed with updates to the launch countdown, dial the ULA launch hotline at 1-877-852-4321 or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch; hashtags #AtlasV #USSF7 #SpaceForce #AirForce

Go Atlas! Go Centaur! Go USSF-7!

https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-ussf-7
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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« Last Edit: 03/31/2020 07:50 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline Shyrakeso

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Re: Atlas V 501 - USSF-7 (X-37B OTV-6) - CC SLC-41 - May 2020
« Reply #15 on: 03/31/2020 10:09 pm »
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/atlas-v-ussf-7
Using the link now results in a 404 message.

And the "Next Mission" button on the ULA website takes you to the AEHF-6 mission.

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Cross-post:
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html
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The next United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, flying with no solid rocket boosters, is scheduled to launch the sixth X-37B OTV mission, known as USSF-7, for the US Space Force on May 20.
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Offline gongora

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https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/04/07/next-gps-launch-delayed-by-coronavirus-concerns/
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“We have decided to continue with the USSF-7 launch,” Bongiovi said in a statement

Offline PM3

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1253301436726861824

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Another #AtlasV launch campaign begins with Launch Vehicle on Stand (LVOS) day! Today at Cape Canaveral, technicians will start assembling the #AtlasV 501 rocket that will launch the United States Space Force-7 (#USSF7) mission. Watch for tweets throughout the day!

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