Write a comment
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket built to carry a sophisticated U.S. national security satellite into space arrived at Cape Canaveral, FL today after sailing from the factory aboard the R/S RocketShip.
The Atlas V booster stage and Centaur upper stage left the ULA manufacturing facility in Decatur, AL, on March 23 aboard our unique custom-built rocket transportation vessel. Th A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket built to carry a sophisticated U.S. national security satellite into space arrived at Cape Canaveral, FL today after sailing from the factory aboard the R/S RocketShip.
The Atlas V booster stage and Centaur upper stage left the ULA manufacturing facility in Decatur, AL, on March 23 aboard our unique custom-built rocket transportation vessel. The ship traveled shallow rivers and open ocean to reach Port Canaveral last night.
At dawn this morning, technicians boarded the vessel and went to work releasing the restraints that kept the flight hardware secure inside RocketShip's cargo hold during the trip. At 8 a.m. EDT, Centaur emerged from the ship and headed to the ULA facility for final preparations.
The Atlas booster stage followed behind. A transport truck pulled the stage directly to the ordnance bay at the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC) where it will undergo standard activities before the 107-foot-long stage can go vertical for launch processing.
The rocket will launch the fifth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO-5) missile warning satellite for the U.S. Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC).
Built by Lockheed Martin, SBIRS GEO-5 will join a constellation of satellites with powerful scanning and staring sensors that provides continuous global surveillance to detect missile launches and provide early warning for the Unites States and its allies.
This will be the first launch for a satellite built on the company's modernized LM 2100 Combat Bus - an enhanced space vehicle that provides even greater resiliency and cyber-hardening against growing threats, as well as improved spacecraft power, propulsion and electronics.
Atlas V is the exclusive launch vehicle of choice for the SBIRS GEO spacecraft series. The rocket successfully launched the first in 2011, second in 2013, third in 2017 and fourth in 2018. Atlas V is also slated to launch SBIRS GEO-6 in 2022.
The SBIRS GEO Flight 5 launch will use an Atlas V 421 variant, with a four-meter-diameter (13.7-foot) payload fairing, two AJ-60 solid rocket boosters and a Centaur equipped with a single RL10C-1-1 cryogenic engine.
Related Links
Status Check at ULA
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com
|
| Tweet |
| Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution. | ||
| SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once credit card or paypal |  | SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly paypal only |
exactEarth to provide Advanced AIS services for MDA's Dark Vessel Detection Program
Cambridge, Canada (SPX) Mar 04, 2021
exactEarth Ltd. has signed an agreement with MDA to provide advanced Satellite-AIS data services as part of MDA's recently announced Dark Vessel Detection ("DVD") program for the Government of Canada. The DVD program is intended to detect and identify vessels that have switched off their AIS transponders and are engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated ("IUU") fishing. IUU fishing is a global problem that results in significant economic loss - estimated at $23 billion per year by the Departm ... read more