NROL-42 (SBIRS HEO-4) – Atlas V 541 (AV-072) – Ванденберг SLC-3E – 24.09.2017, 05:49 UTC

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Stephen Clark‏ @StephenClark1 17 мин. назад

Updates to US launch schedule include new target dates for Falcon 9/CRS 12 (Aug. 14) and Atlas 5/TDRS M (Aug. 20). https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ ...

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Новая дата (с форума nsf) - 14 сентября.

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Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 4 мин. назад

ULA e-mail to media: Atlas V carrying NROL-42 is officially scheduled for Sept. 14 - from SLC-3 at Vandenberg.

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Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 10 мин. назад

And this one's patch isn't a globe grabbing octopus....but again, there's always small clues about the secret mission in the patches.

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http://www.ulalaunch.com/atlas-v-to-launch-nrol42.aspx?title=Atlas+V+to+Launch+NROL-42

Atlas V to Launch NROL-42

[/li]
• Rocket: Atlas V 541
• Mission: NROL-42
• Launch Date: Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017
• Live Broadcast: Stay tuned for how you can watch live
• Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 3, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
  

Launch Notes: This launch will be ULA's sixth of 2017 and 121st overall. NROL-42 will be the 25th mission that ULA has launched for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) since the company was founded in 2006. This mission will mark the 73rd Atlas V launch since its inaugural launch on Aug. 21 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 #AtlasV #NROL42.

Go Atlas! Go Centaur! Go NROL-42!

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ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch 9 мин. назад

The Sept. 14 #AtlasV #NROL42 launch from Vandenberg has been postponed. Rocket and spacecraft are healthy and secure at SLC-3.

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http://www.ulalaunch.com/atlas-v-to-launch-nrol42.aspx

Atlas V to Launch NROL-42

(Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 8, 2017) - The Atlas V carrying the NROL-42 mission scheduled for Sept. 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base has been postponed. The launch vehicle and spacecraft are healthy and secure at Space Launch Complex-3.

The decision to delay launch is based on the current forecasting for Hurricane Irma. Some critical members of the ULA launch team that support launch on both coasts are returning to Florida due to the threat from Hurricane Irma which is currently forecast to impact the Cape Canaveral area early Monday morning.  The safety of our employees and their families are at the forefront of this decision. Hurricane preparations and hardware securing are underway at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. A new launch date for the NROL-42 mission will be determined once the impacts of the storm are understood.
...

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ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch 20 ч. назад

For NRO missions we release a launch time a few days ahead of time. You can keep an eye on http://ulalaunch.com  for the latest.

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Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 7 мин. назад
 
ULA note the Atlas V carrying the NROL-42 mission is now scheduled for September 21 from SLC-3 at Vandenberg.

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21 сентября.

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http://www.ulalaunch.com/atlas-v-to-launch-nrol42.aspx

Atlas V to Launch NROL-42
 

[/li]
• Rocket: Atlas V 541
• Mission: NROL-42
• Launch Date: Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017
• Launch Time: 10:38 p.m. PDT
• Live Broadcast: Tune into ULA's website at 10:18 p.m. PDT.
• Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 3, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
  

...

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http://www.ulalaunch.com/file-library.aspx?launchEventID=286

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Fact sheet: Atlas 5 rocket to launch the NROL-42 mission from Vandenberg             
September 16, 2017 Justin Ray

Спойлер

Код Выделить Развернуть

*** AV-072/NROL-42 launch fact sheet ***

Payload:               CLASSIFIED NATIONAL SECURITY PAYLOAD
                       NRO satellite in Molniya orbit
      Collects signals intelligence

Launch Date:           Thursday,  Sept. 21, 2017

Target
Launch Time:       10:38 p.m. local
      1:38 a.m. EDT on Sept. 22
      0538 GMT on Sept. 22    

Unclassified
Launch Period:         Four hours
                       7:25-11:35 p.m. local
                       0225-0635 GMT on Sept. 22

Launch Site:           Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
                       Space Launch Complex 3-East

Customer:              National Reconnaissance Office
      Launch Enterprise Directorate, Air Force's
Space and Missile Systems Center

Launch Services
Provider:              United Launch Alliance, Centennial, Colorado

Launch Vehicle:        Atlas 5 designated AV-072
      541 configuration
                       Weight at liftoff: 1.2 million pounds
      Thrust at liftoff: 2.4 million pounds
                       Height: 197 feet (60 m)

                       Common Core Booster with RD-180 engine
   73,800 gallons RP-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen
   Thrust: 860,300 pounds

Four side-mounted solid-fuel rocket boosters
   World's largest monolithic SRB
   Thrust: 380,000 pounds each

                        Centaur upper stage with RL10C-1 engine
    16,450 gallons liquid hydrogen and oxygen
    Thrust: 23,300 pounds

5-meter Short Fairing
     18-foot-dia., 68-foot-tall composite shroud

Construction:          Atlas stage and Centaur upper stage built by
     United Launch Alliance in Decatur, Alabama
      Fairing manufactured by RUAG Space in Zurich
          RD-180 from NPO Energomash, Khimki, Russia
      SRBs by Aerojet Rocketdyne, Sacramento, Calif.
      RL10C-1 from Aerojet Rocketdyne, West Palm
      Beach, Florida

Payload Speculation:   NROL-42 is believed to be the second spacecraft
      in the newest generation of Molniya-orbit
      signals intelligence satellites
                               unofficially called Trumpet Follow-On.
                               The highly-inclined orbit enables the craft
                               to dwell over northern latitudes to collect
                               surveillance.

The fourth Space Based Infrared System-HEO
                               missile-warning senor package is hosted
                               aboard the NROL-42 satellite.

The target orbit is roughly 1,000 by 24,000
miles at an inclination of 63 degrees.

About the NRO: Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, the
National Reconnaissance Office develops
and operates overhead reconnaissance
systems and conducts intelligence-related
activities for U.S. national Security.

NRO Uses:               The NRO is the nation's eyes and ears in
space, supporting policy makers, the Armed
Services, the Intelligence Community,
Departments of State, Justice and
Treasury, and civil agencies. All of them
depend on the unique capabilities NRO
systems provide.

NRO Capabilities:    - Monitoring the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction

   - Tracking international terrorists, drug
traffickers, and criminal organizations

   - Developing highly accurate military
targeting data and bomb damage assessments

   - Supporting international peacekeeping and
humanitarian relief operations

   - Assessing the impact of natural disasters,
such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and
fires.

NRO Constellations: Exquisite-class electro-optical and
       radar-imaging observatories,
geosynchronous and Molniya-orbit
eavesdropping platforms, ocean
surveillance network and data-relay
support spacecraft

* Launch statistics *

- The 655th launch for Atlas program since 1957
- The 298th Atlas launch from Vandenberg AFB since 1959
- The 244th mission of a Centaur upper stage
- The 221st use of Centaur by an Atlas rocket
- The 482nd production RL10 engine to be launched
- The 21st RL10C-1 engine launched
- The 79th flight of an RD-180 main engine
- The 90-91-92-93rd AJ-60 solid rocket booster flown
- The 73rd launch of an Atlas 5 since 2002
- The 15th National Reconnaissance Office use of Atlas 5
- The 5th Atlas 5 launch of 2017
- The 108th Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle flight
- The 25th EELV flight for National Reconnaissance Office
- The 121st United Launch Alliance flight overall
- The 65th Atlas 5 under United Launch Alliance
- The 34th United Launch Alliance flight from Vandenberg
- The 25th NRO launch by United Launch Alliance
- The 23rd 500-series flight of the Atlas 5
- The 5th Atlas 5 to fly in the 541 configuration
- The 47th Atlas to use Space Launch Complex 3
- The 14th Atlas 5 launch from Vandenberg AFB since 2008
- The 48th NRO launch since acknowledging flights in 1996
- The 25th acknowledged NRO launch from Vandenberg
- The 3rd NRO launch this year

Twitter Feeds:
Spaceflight Now
ULA CEO Tory Bruno
National Reconnaissance Office
United Launch Alliance
Aerojet Rocketdyne
30th Space Wing


* GENERAL PUBLIC VIEWING *

The optimal spot for the general public to view the launch will along
West Ocean Avenue CA-246, immediately prior to the South Gate
entrance to Vandenberg Air Force Base. The top of the rocket and
launch pad will be visible only 2.7 miles away.

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NOTMAR

180803Z SEP 2017

NAVAREA XII 417/2017 (18,21,22)
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
MEXICO.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   0455Z TO 0639Z DAILY 22 THRU 25 SEP
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:

   A. 31-35N 119-03W, 31-29N 119-21W,
   32-59N 119-59W, 33-05N 119-41W.

   B. 23-34N 113-31W, 22-52N 115-18W,
   25-26N 116-32W, 26-09N 114-44W.

   C. 07-14N 104-14W, 05-34N 108-14W,
   10-11N 110-11W, 11-51N 106-09W.

2. CANCEL THIS MSG 250739Z SEP 17.

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NOTMAR, зоны A, B и C
 

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NOTNAR, 2-я ст

180505Z SEP 2017

HYDROPAC 3204/2017 (75,76)

SOUTHEASTERN INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 05.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   1506Z TO 1627Z DAILY 22 THRU 25 SEP
   IN AREA BOUND BY

   52-13S 142-32E, 50-39S 145-30E,
   45-58S 139-47E, 47-23S 136-55E

2. CANCEL THIS MSG 251727Z SEP 17.

NOTAM

F2824/17 - ROCKET LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE FLW RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED SURFACE TO UNLIMITED FOR ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN OF UPPER STAGE ENTRY AIROP DO-1710 WITHIN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: S52 13 E142 32 S50 39 E145 30 S45 58 E139 47 S47 23 E136 55 TO BEGINNING. SFC - UNL, DAILY 1506/1627, 22 SEP 15:06 2017 UNTIL 25 SEP 16:27 2017. CREATED: 18 SEP 23:17 2017

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https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/19/ula-milestone-launch-for-national-reconnaissance-office-set-for-thursday/

ULA milestone launch for National Reconnaissance Office set for Thursday
September 19, 2017 Justin Ray


Patches of the 25 NRO missions, including this week's upcoming launch, that have been entrusted to ULA rockets.

United Launch Alliance, a union of Atlas and Delta rockets formed a decade ago for U.S. government spacelift needs, will conduct its 25th deployment mission for the country's spy satellite agency Thursday night.

The milestone launch in service to the National Reconnaissance Office will occur fr om Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

A heavy-duty Atlas 5 rocket with four side-mounted solid-fuel boosters will loft the classified NROL-42 payload from Space Launch Complex 3-East on Vandenberg's South Base.

Liftoff is scheduled for 10:38 p.m. local time (1:38 a.m. EDT; 0538 GMT on Friday morning).

Спойлер

"We are proceeding as scheduled for Thursday," Lt. Col. Kenneth Decker, 4th Space Launch Squadron commander and the Air Force launch director, said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

"Every National Security Space mission is important. It directly supports national security, helps our senior leaders make key decisions and it ultimately provides capability to the warfighters. Specific to this (launch), I can't go into any details for this mission."

The 4th Space Launch Squadron, a team of military and civilian personnel, is the government's on-site team that oversees the rocket preparations from the point it arrives at Vandenberg until liftoff. The engineers and missile maintenance professionals give assurance that processing and testing of the vehicle performed by United Launch Alliance goes properly.

The squadron was formed in 1994 to support Titan missions at Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 4, then re-chartered in 2003 for the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 launch systems from Slicks 3 and 6.

"Both the space vehicle and the launch vehicle are very complex machines. So we do run into some technical issues. Anytime there is something with elevated risk, we step back and perform that independent look, and we want to be thorough...Our focus is to insure these critical payloads make it to orbit," said Decker.

The closest spot for the general public to view this launch is along West Ocean Avenue CA-246, immediately prior to the South Gate entrance to Vandenberg Air Force Base. The top of the rocket and launch pad will be visible only 2.7 miles away.

Weather forecasters project that there's a 40 percent chance of acceptable liftoff conditions, with visibility and ground winds the main worries.

A backup launch opportunity is available Friday night, if needed, and the weather odds improve to 70 percent favorable with only winds posing a concern.


Illustration of the initial flight path. Credit: United Launch Alliance

The rocket will produce nearly two-and-a-half-million pounds of liftoff thrust and follow a customary coast-hugging trajectory to orbit, according to pre-launch notices issued to mariners.

Analysts believe the payload is destined for a Molniya-style highly elliptical, highly inclined orbit around Earth. That type of orbit enables the clandestine satellite to dwell over the northern latitudes of the globe for long periods of each orbit.

ULA was formed in December 2006 by marrying Lockheed Martin's Atlas 5 rocket and Boeing's Delta 2 and Delta 4 rockets under a single corporate banner.

The aim: Preserve assured access to space by keeping two paths to orbit — the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 families — viable for national security launches under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.

The new company's first launch, ironically, was an NROL mission from Vandenberg using a Delta 2.

All 24 launches to date for the NRO have been successful, putting every payload into a usable Earth orbit.

The only blip was a marginally off-nominal insertion of a tandem payload in 2007, but it had no impact on the mission and the NRO officially deemed the launch a success. The spacecraft have operated for 10 years.

** ULA LAUNCHES FOR NRO **

Delta 322: NROL-21 on D2-7920 (Dec. 14, 2006) Vandenberg
AV-009 : NROL-30 using Atlas 5-401 (June 15, 2007) Cape
AV-015 : NROL-24 using Atlas 5-401 (Dec. 10, 2007) Cape
AV-006 : NROL-28 using Atlas 5-411 (March 13, 2008 ) Vandenberg
Delta 337: NROL-26 on D4-Heavy (Jan. 17, 2009) Cape

AV-025 : NROL-41 using Atlas 5-501 (Sept. 20, 2010) Vandenberg
Delta 351: NROL-32 on D4-Heavy (Nov. 21, 2010) Cape
Delta 352: NROL-49 on D4-Heavy (Jan. 20, 2011) Vandenberg
Delta 353: NROL-27 on D4-Medium+ (March 11, 2011) Cape
AV-027 : NROL-34 using Atlas 5-411 (April 14, 2011) Vandenberg

Delta 359: NROL-25 on D4-Medium+ (April 3, 2012) Vandenberg
AV-023 : NROL-38 using Atlas 5-401 (June 20, 2012) Cape
Delta 360: NROL-15 on D4-Heavy (June 29, 2012) Cape
AV-033 : NROL-36 using Atlas 5-401 (Sept. 13, 2012) Vandenberg
Delta 364: NROL-65 on D4-Heavy (Aug. 28, 2013) Vandenberg

AV-042: NROL-39 using Atlas 5-501 (Dec. 5, 2013) Vandenberg
AV-045: NROL-67 using Atlas 5-541 (April 10, 2014) Cape
AV-046: NROL-33 using Atlas 5-401 (May 22, 2014) Cape
AV-051: NROL-35 using Atlas 5-541 (Dec. 13, 2014) Vandenberg
AV-058: NROL-55 using Atlas 5-401 (Oct. 8, 2015) Vandenberg

Delta 373: NROL-45 on D4-Medium+ (Feb. 10, 2016) Vandenberg
Delta 374: NROL-37 on D4-Heavy (June 11, 2016) Cape
AV-065 : NROL-61 using Atlas 5-421 (July 28, 2016) Cape
AV-068 : NROL-79 using Atlas 5-401 (March 1, 2017) Vandenberg

This will be the 15th Atlas 5 for the NRO. ULA has flown 9 Delta 4s and one Delta 2 for the agency as well.

The collection of rockets has featured Delta 4-Heavy vehicles for maximum performance and high-end Atlas 5s, like the one flying Thursday, to carry large loads to high-energy orbits.


The first Atlas 5-541 on SLC-3 before its launch in 2014. Credit: James Murati/Bionetics

"The NRO is responsible for developing, acquiring, launching and operating the nation's overhead Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) architecture," NRO Director Betty Sapp said in testimony to Congress this year.

"The unique nature of overhead ISR collection allows timely access to locations around the world without risk of violating international law or putting U.S. personnel in danger. It also allows the flexibility necessary to be wh ere we need to be, when we need to be there and for as long as we're required. And we continue to deliver innovative solutions and enable intelligence integration, assessment and problem solving across geographic boundaries and intelligence domains."

Every aspect of the NRO's mission has flown on the ULA launches, deploying exquisite-class electro-optical and radar-imaging observatories, geosynchronous and Molniya-orbit eavesdropping platforms, the ocean surveillance network and data-relay support spacecraft.

This NROL-42 mission was assigned to ULA as part of the 36-core Block Buy from the U.S. Air Force.

Then-Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James testified to the U.S. Senate, in questions about the Block Buy, that the NROL-42 satellite mass to orbit exceeded the capabilities of SpaceX's Falcon 9 to lift it.

That made this mission unsuitable for competition and left ULA as the only U.S. firm that could launch the payload.

The Atlas 5 family is designed to be modular in concept and tailor each vehicle to the given payload being launched, adding SRBs for additional thrust when needed and enclosing the satellite in either a four-meter shroud or a bulbous five-meter one.

The NROL-42 payload requires a powerful 541 version of the launcher, which has flown four times previously in dispatching NASA's Curiosity rover to Mars in 2011, a pair of NRO missions in 2014 and deployment of the advanced GOES 16 weather observatory last November.

See earlier NROL-42 coverage.

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http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/Portals/18/170919-AtlasV-Launch.jpg