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The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) and United Launch Alliance (ULA) have successfully launched the USSF-51 mission on an Atlas V 551 rocket. Liftoff occurred today at 6:45 a.m. EDT (3:45 a.m. PDT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex-41 in Florida. "Mission success" was confirmed by SSC and ULA teams after spacecraft separation, with the payload achievin by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 30, 2024
The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) and United Launch Alliance (ULA) have successfully launched the USSF-51 mission on an Atlas V 551 rocket. Liftoff occurred today at 6:45 a.m. EDT (3:45 a.m. PDT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex-41 in Florida. "Mission success" was confirmed by SSC and ULA teams after spacecraft separation, with the payload achieving its intended orbit approximately seven hours post-launch.
"Outstanding! What a fantastic launch and a fitting conclusion for our last National Security Space Atlas V," said Dr. Walt Lauderdale, USSF-51 mission director. "When we look back at how well Atlas V met our needs since our first launch in 2007, it illustrates the hard work and dedication from our nation's industrial base. Together we made it happen and because of teams like this we have the most successful and thriving launch industry in the world, bar none."
Initially contracted by the Air Force in the 1950s, Atlas began as the United States' first intercontinental ballistic missile during the Cold War. Since then, the Atlas family has launched the first crewed spacecraft for Project Mercury and numerous uncrewed scientific missions for NASA and NOAA. Over the past six decades, Atlas rockets have deployed national security satellites, including the first generation of Global Positioning System satellites and the latest weather, missile warning, wideband, and secure communications spacecraft.
The Atlas launch vehicles have been pivotal to the space program since 1957, successfully launching 683 times. Since the first Atlas V launch on March 9, 2007, the Atlas V has carried out 53 National Security Space missions.
"As we wrap our last Atlas V NSSL mission, over 20 years, you remember the stats and the incredible capability we put into orbit, but also your teammates who put in the hard work, the attention to detail, the great care and follow-up," said USSF Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader for SSC's Launch Execution Delta. "It has truly been the workhorse for NSSL. I'm sure I speak for many when I say, we're grateful for the success that this partnership has brought us, and we look forward to an exciting future as we transition to Vulcan."
Assured Access to Space (AATS) supports the U.S. Space Force's core competency of Space Mobility and Logistics. As part of the SSC, AATS ensures reliable and responsive launch services to deploy essential space-based capabilities for the nation's warfighters, intelligence professionals, decision-makers, allies, and partners. AATS also operates and maintains resilient and ready launch and test infrastructure to enhance on-orbit warfighting capabilities through all conflict phases and expand U.S. economic, technological, and scientific leadership. Additionally, AATS delivers servicing, mobility, and logistics capabilities within the space domain.
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force's field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient warfighting capabilities to protect the nation's strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and collaborates with joint forces, industry, government agencies, and academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and counter emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.
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