NROL-47: Topaz 5 (TBD) - Delta IV-M+(5,2) [D-379] - Vandenberg SLC-6 - 12.01.2018 22:11 UTC

[tnt22]

Upcoming Missions

[/li]
• Rocket: Delta IV Med+ (5,2)
• Mission: NROL-47
• Launch Date: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017
• Launch Time: TBD
• Live Broadcast: Check back for viewing information
• Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
  

Launch Notes: The NROL-47 mission will mark ULA's ninth launch of 2017 and 27th for the National Reconnaissance Office. NROL-47 will be the 36th flight of the Delta IV rocket since its inaugural launch 2002.

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 #DeltaIV #NROL47.


Go Delta! Go NROL-47!

[tnt22]

ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch 10 мин.10 минут назад
The next United Launch Alliance mission is #NROL47 for the National Reconnaissance Office using the Delta IV rocket. Liftoff is scheduled for Dec. 13 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. http://www.ulalaunch.com/delta-iv-to-launch-nrol47.aspx?title=Delta+IV+to+launch+NROL-47 ...

[tnt22]

https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/140489.jpg

[tnt22]

Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 3 мин. назад

ULA Delta IV launch with NROL-47 delayed to Jan 10, 2018 - in order to perform additional validation of the software and systems associated with Common Avionics. https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42699.msg1756474#msg1756474 ...

[tnt22]

https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/12/06/delta-4-launch-from-california-slips-to-january/

Delta 4 launch from California slips to January
December 6, 2017 Stephen Clark


File photo of a Delta 4 rocket standing on Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Credit: ULA

The launch of a top secret National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California has been pushed back from Dec. 13 until no earlier than Jan. 10 to complete software validation on the Delta 4 rocket's new avionics system, United Launch Alliance announced Wednesday.

Спойлер

The launch company said officials delayed the mission "to perform additional validation of the software and systems associated with Common Avionics."

In a statement released Wednesday, ULA said the common avionics are a new suite of avionics, flight software and ground systems designed to fly on both of ULA's current-generation rockets — the Atlas 5 and Delta 4. The modified avionics system replaces earlier-generation software and equipment that flew on Atlas 5 and Delta 4 rockets, which were developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing before the aerospace contractors merged their launch divisions to form ULA in 2006.

"This upgraded command and control system was designed to reduce cost and improve reliability," ULA said.

The Delta 4 rocket is set to loft a classified payload for the NRO, the U.S. government's spy satellite agency. The mission is known by the codename NROL-47.

The launch will be the first time the common avionics systems have flown on a Delta 4 rocket.

Ground crews at Vandenberg have stacked the two-stage Delta 4 rocket at Space Launch Complex-6 overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The NROL-47 launch will use the "5,2" version of the Delta 4 with a five-meter-diameter payload fairing and two solid rocket boosters attached on each side of the hydrogen-fueled first stage.

The mission is expected to loft a radar surveillance satellite to gather all-weather, day-and-night imagery for analysis by U.S. intelligence agencies.

It will be the last launch of a medium-lift, single-core version of the Delta 4 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base. ULA is retiring the "single-stick" Delta 4 family in favor of the less expensive Atlas 5, before eventually replacing both rockets with the next-generation Vulcan launcher.

Two more single-core Delta 4s are slated to launch from Cape Canaveral.

The heavy-lift version of the Delta 4, comprising three of the rocket's first stages bolted together, will remain in service through at least the early 2020s to deploy the NRO's most massive satellites. Those payloads weigh too much for the Atlas 5 or SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, the two other launch vehicles currently certified to haul costly U.S. military and intelligence-gathering satellites into orbit.

[свернуть]

[tnt22]

http://www.ulalaunch.com/delta-iv-to-launch-nrol47.aspx

Delta IV to launch NROL-47

[/li]
• Rocket: Delta IV Medium+ (5.2)
• Mission: NROL-47
• Launch Date: Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018
• Launch Time: TBD
• Live Broadcast: Check back for viewing information
• Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
  

Launch Notes: The NROL-47 mission will mark ULA's first launch of 2018 and 27th for the National Reconnaissance Office. NROL-47 will be the 36th flight of the Delta IV rocket since its inaugural launch 2002/QUOTE]

[tnt22]

ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch 23 ч. назад

.@NatReconOfc #NROL47 payload, encapsulated inside a 5-meter payload fairing, is mated to a ULA #DeltaIV rocket at Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex-6 in preparation for a Jan 10 launch. More pix and video: http://bit.ly/2BUe4pY 

[tnt22]

Delta IV NROL-47 Payload Mate

United Launch Alliance

Опубликовано: 21 дек. 2017 г.

The National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-47 payload, encapsulated inside a 5-meter payload fairing, is mated to a Delta IV rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base's Space Launch Complex-6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnX6kFFD7ochttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnX6kFFD7oc (1:22)

[tnt22]

https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/12/29/classified-payload-hoisted-atop-delta-4-rocket-at-vandenberg/

Classified payload hoisted atop Delta 4 rocket at Vandenberg
December 29, 2017 Stephen Clark

A clandestine satellite owned by the National Reconnaissance Office has been raised atop its United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, for liftoff Jan. 10.

Спойлер

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnX6kFFD7oc
Video

Already encapsulated inside the Delta 4's payload fairing, the spacecraft was recently transferred from a nearby processing facility and hoisted by a crane inside the mobile gantry at Space Launch Complex 6 nestled between hills and the Pacific Ocean near the southern edge of the military base on California's Central Coast.

Ground crews deftly guided the payload atop the Delta 4's second stage and completed its attachment to cap assembly of the 217-foot-tall (66-meter) rocket.

The mission for the NRO, the U.S. government's spy satellite agency, is known by the codename NROL-47.

The Delta 4 is expected to loft a radar surveillance satellite to gather all-weather, day-and-night imagery for analysis by U.S. intelligence agencies.

The rocket slated for launch Jan. 10 will use the Delta 4's "5,2" configuration five-meter-diameter payload fairing and two solid rocket boosters attached on each side of the hydrogen-fueled first stage. That version of the Delta 4 has flown only twice before, and analysts who track space activities believe both launches — in 2012 and 2016 — hauled so-called Topaz radar reconnaissance satellites into orbit.

The flight was pushed back from Dec. 10 to complete software validation on a new common avionics system designed to fly on ULA's Delta 4 and Atlas 5 rockets. The upcoming mission will be the first time the common avionics suite has flown on a Delta 4.

It will be the last launch of a medium-lift, single-core version of the Delta 4 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base. ULA is retiring the "single-stick" Delta 4 family in favor of the less expensive Atlas 5, before eventually replacing both rockets with the next-generation Vulcan launcher.

Two more single-core Delta 4s are slated to launch from Cape Canaveral.

The heavy-lift version of the Delta 4, comprising three of the rocket's first stages bolted together, will remain in service through at least the early 2020s to deploy the NRO's most massive satellites. Those payloads weigh too much for the Atlas 5 or SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, the two other launch vehicles currently certified to haul costly U.S. military and intelligence-gathering satellites into orbit.

Photos of the NROL-47 payload's arrival at Space Launch Complex 6 and attachment to the Delta 4 rocket are posted below.


Credit: ULA


Credit: ULA


Credit: ULA


Credit: ULA


Credit: ULA


Credit: ULA

[свернуть]

[tnt22]

NRO‏Подлинная учетная запись @NatReconOfc 10 ч. назад

#NROL47 will be a daytime (PST) launch. We, along with our partners, will be sharing more details over the next few days, to include when and where you can access live coverage of the launch on Jan. 10.

[tnt22]

National Reconnaissance Office
19 ч ·

Check out our mission patch for #NROL47! The patch design depicts a classic battle between good and evil and represents our dedication to mission, military expertise and camaraderie. The launch location (VAFB, SLC-6) and launch number (L-47) appear along the outer band of the design, along with the Latin phrase "Mali Nunquam Praevalebunt," which means "Evil will never prevail" and represents NRO's commitment to national security.

Launch date for #NROL47 is scheduled for next Wednesday, Jan. 10.

[tnt22]

http://www.ulalaunch.com/delta-iv-to-launch-nrol47.aspx

Delta IV to launch NROL-47

[/li]
• Rocket: Delta IV Medium+ (5.2)
• Mission: NROL-47
• Launch Date: Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018
• Launch Time: 1 p.m. PST
• Live Broadcast: Tune in beginning at 12:40 p.m. PST
• Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
  

[tnt22]

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1409612/delta-iv-nrol-47-to-launch-from-vandenberg/

DELTA IV NROL-47 TO LAUNCH FROM VANDENBERG
By 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs / [COLOR=#ACAC7AC]Published January 07, 2018[/COLOR]

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-6 here Wednesday, Jan. 10, with a launch window opening at 1:00 p.m. PST.

Col. Greg Wood, 30th Space Wing vice commander, is the space launch commander.

Спойлер

"We are ready and eager to take on this Delta launch," said Wood. "We are proud to provide this national defense capability and every Team V member involved has tirelessly worked to ensure the launch is safe and successful."

Vandenberg's 4th Space Launch Squadron is in final preparations for launch with Vandenberg's mission partners from ULA, and the NRO.

"The 4th Space Launch Squadron's mission assurance technicians, engineers, and program managers are laser-focused on ensuring that all flight hardware, infrastructure, and facilities are ready to go for launch," said Maj. Allen Varghese, 4th Space Launch Squadron director of operations. "Our squadron has worked side-by-side with ULA personnel over the past several months to ensure this mission's success."

The local community can view this launch from the Hawk's Nest on Hwy 1 just a half mile south of Vandenberg Air Force Base's main gate. The Hawk's Nest gates will open at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

[свернуть]

[tnt22]

30-е космокрыло извещает

[tnt22]

Прогноз погоды L-2 на 2018-01-10 (м.в.)

08-JAN-18 - Delta IV NROL-47 Forecast

40% GO - ветер у поверхности Земли

[tnt22]

Прогноз погоды L-1 на 2018-01-10 (м.в.)

09-JAN-18 - Delta IV NROL-47 Forecast
 
30% GO  :|

[tnt22]

http://satobs.org/seesat/Jan-2018/0080.html

NROL-47 search elset and identity

From: Marco Langbroek via Seesat-l <seesat-l_at_satobs.org>
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2018 17:57:36 +0100

Спойлер

Код Выделить Развернуть

Hi all,

We might have another classified payload going into an unusual orbit tomorrow.

NROL-47 is slated to launch from Vandenberg SLC-6 tomorrow January 10. The
Maritime Broadcast Warning window opens at 20:30 UT and ends January 9 at 1:26 UT.

The launch hazard areas and Upper Stage deorbit hazard area from the Broadcast
Warnings point to an unusual orbital inclination: 108.6 degrees.

Some websites (e.g. Spaceflight 101) have speculated NROL-47 is the fifth TOPAZ
(FIA Radar) based on the fact that it is launched westwards into retrograde orbit.

If so, it is going into a different kind of orbit than the previous four ones,
both regarding inclination (the four FIA satelites have an orbital inclination
of 123.0 deg) and orbital altitude.

The launch azimuth from the launch hazard areas published differs by 20 degrees
from previous FIA launches. And there is no need for a dogleg manoeuvre, as
previous FIA launches launched directly into a 123.0 degrees inclination orbit.

From what appears to be the Upper Stage de-orbit hazard area near Antarctica and
the time it opens (23:23 UT) as well as its shape, an orbital altitude near 1500
km is indicated. Previous FIA are in 1100 km orbits.

So the identity of NROL-47 remains a questionmark and I am not convinced it must
be a FIA/TOPAZ. It could be some other new radar (the retrograde orbit suggests
it is a radar satellite).

Here is an orbit estimate for launch on 10 January 20:30 UT:

NROL-47  launch 2018-01-10 20:30 UT                    1495 x 1505 km
1 70000U 18999A   18010.85416667  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    09
2 70000 108.6398 105.5134 0006347 166.4011 308.2684 12.41559515    01

Here is an alternative orbit for an 1100 km orbital altitude (FIA, but in a
different orbital plane):

NROL-47  launch 2018-01-10 20:30 UT                    1100 x 1110 km
1 70001U 18999A   18010.85416667  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    00
2 70001 108.5831 105.5134 0006682 166.4011 304.1188 13.41149813    06

Allow for several minutes difference in pass time and several degrees cross-track.

South Africa might have visibility on the first pass near 21:38 UT and the
second pass near 23:30 UT.

- Marco

[свернуть]

[tnt22]

NOTMAR

NAVAREA XII 4/2018 (18,83)

EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 102030Z TO 110126Z JAN,
   ALTERNATE 2030Z TO 0126Z COMMENCING DAILY
   11 AND 12 JAN IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 26-25N 123-12W, 26-46N 124-20W,
   27-43N 123-59W, 27-22N 122-50W.
   B. 11-38N 128-57W, 11-50N 129-33W,
   13-57N 128-51W, 13-46N 128-15W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 130226Z JAN 18.

( 050854Z JAN 2018 )

[tnt22]

Прогноз погоды L-1 (из Мордокниги)

30th Space Wing (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.)
3 ч ·

L-1 Launch Weather Forecast
 Western Range Operation Forecast
 W5075
 -----------------------------------------------
 Issued: 9 Jan 18 / 0700L (1400Z)
 Valid: 10 Jan 18 / 1300L (2100Z)
 Vehicle/Payload: Delta IV, NROL-47
 Location: VAFB SLC-6
 -----------------------------------------------
T-0 Forecast: A major winter system will continue to transition through the central coast today, with a few lingering showers until the early evening hours. On Tuesday, the range will see winds out of the south-southeast at 25-30 kts, shifting over night as the low pressure center passes to out of the north-northwest at 23-28 kts. Throughout the count Wednesday to include during propellant load, the winds will remain elevated and out of the north, slowly decreasing to between 15 – 20 gusting to 25 knots and temperatures between 54F and 59F at T-0. Through the four hour window, however, the winds will increase slightly with support from the sea breeze to 18 – 22 gusting to 28 knots out of the north-northwest. Max upper level winds will be out of the northwest at 85 knots from 34,000 to 36,000 feet. The current space weather index is at standard background levels. Overall POV is 70% with Ground Winds being the only constraint of concern.

 24 Hour Scrub Forecast: The high pressure will continue to build in over the range through the end of the week. Morning fog and low stratus will be present early in the count, but will break out by T-0. Low level moisture will be present as a shallow cloud deck hugs the coast. Upper level cirrus will spill over the high as it builds into the region. Temperatures will maintain at 55F to 60F at T-0. Wind at T-0 will be out of the north between 7 – 12 knots gusting to 15 knots. Winds in the upper levels will decrease to 65 knots out of the northwest from 36,000 to 38,000 feet. Overall POV will be 10% with Ground Winds being the constraint of concern.
 ----------------------------------------------
 Clouds Coverage Bases Tops
 Stratus 5/8 ths 700 1,300
 ----------------------------------------------
 Visibility: 7 miles
 Weather: None
 Wind: 340 - 010 at 15 - 20 G 25 knots
 Temperature: 54 - 59° F

 Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 70%
 Areas of concern: Ground Winds

 Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 Hour Delay: 10%
 Areas of concern: Ground Winds

Согласно NMr NAVAREA XII 4/2018 (18,83) резервными являются 11 и 12 января с.г.
На резервный день 2018-01-11 - 90% GO!  

[tnt22]

NOTAMs (на основной и два резервных дня, с 10 по 12 января с.г., зоны и окно пуска идентичны)

KZAK
 
01/024 (A0096/18) - AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1801 PART B STNR ALT
RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 2625N12312W TO 2646N12420W TO
2743N12359W TO 2722N12250W TO POINT OF ORIGIN AND WI AN AREA DEFINED
AS 1138N12857W TO 1150N12933W TO 1357N12851W TO 1346N12815W TO POINT
OF ORIGIN SFC-UNL. 10 JAN 21:00 2018 UNTIL 11 JAN 01:26 2018. CREATED: 09 JAN
22:05 2018
 
01/026 (A0097/18) - AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1801 STNR ALT
RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 2625N12312W TO 2646N12420W TO
2743N12359W TO 2722N12250W TO POINT OF ORIGIN AND WI AN AREA DEFINED
AS 1138N12857W TO 1150N12933W TO 1357N12851W TO 1346N12815W TO POINT
OF ORIGIN SFC-UNL. 11 JAN 21:00 2018 UNTIL 12 JAN 01:26 2018. CREATED: 09 JAN
22:11 2018
 
01/028 (A0098/18) - AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1801 STNR ALT
RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 2625N12312W TO 2646N12420W TO
2743N12359W TO 2722N12250W TO POINT OF ORIGIN AND WI AN AREA DEFINED
AS 1138N12857W TO 1150N12933W TO 1357N12851W TO 1346N12815W TO POINT
OF ORIGIN SFC-UNL. 12 JAN 21:00 2018 UNTIL 13 JAN 01:26 2018. CREATED: 09 JAN
22:21 2018