 |
|
The ULA Atlas V rocket launched the U.S. Air Force SBIRS
GEO Flight 4 mission on Jan. 19, 2018 from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, Fla., and successfully delivered
the infrared missile tracking satellite to orbit. Credit:
Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com
|
Ken
Kremer -- SpaceUpClose.com -- 20
Jan 2018
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – An Atlas
V rocket successfully launched the SBIRS Geo Flight 4 infrared surveillance and
missile attack detection satellite for the U.S.
Air Force Friday evening Jan. 19 at 7:48 p.m. EST, from seaside Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station in Florida by rocket provider United Launch Alliance (ULA).
The stunning blastoff from the
Florida Space Coast took place just in the nick of time, coming barely 3 hours prior to the U.S. Government shutdown due to
the lack of an agreed budget by DC politicians.
Watch this short 2 minute long action packed video reel of mission
highlights for
the Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 4 launch compiled
by United Launch Alliance - showing
the rocket rollout, countdown and launch activities.
Video
Caption: Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 4 Launch Highlights. A
United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the SBIRS GEO Flight 4
mission lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41.
Credit: ULA
Launch of the 194-foot-tall two stage Atlas V rocket had been delayed a day due to an
issue with a faulty ground hardware valve with the first stage boosters liquid
oxygen system.
The SBIRS GEO Flight-4 satellite is designed to detect
infrared signatures and deliver early warning of incoming enemy ballistic missiles attacking
the US and its allies.
 |
|
Long
exposure streak shot of a ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the SBIRS GEO Flight 4 missile tracking surveillance satellite for the U.S. Air Force
after lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex-41
at 7:48 p.m. EST, Jan. 19, 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com
|
“SBIRS GEO Flight-4 is the
latest satellite to join the Air Force’s orbiting missile warning constellation
equipped with powerful scanning and staring infrared surveillance sensors. The
sensors collect data for use by the U.S. military to detect missile launches,
support ballistic missile defense, expand technical intelligence gathering and
bolster situational awareness on the battlefield. The satellite also completes
the initial constellation and allows SBIRS to provide global coverage,” said satellite
builder Lockheed Martin.
Read our detailed prelaunch and launch
stories.
Watch
for Ken’s continuing onsite coverage of Falcon Heavy, ULA and NASA and space mission reports direct
from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Stay tuned here for Ken's continuing
Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news: www.kenkremer.com – www.spaceupclose.com
– twitter @ken_kremer
 |
|
A ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the SBIRS
GEO Flight 4 mission to geosynchronous orbit for the U.S. Air Force was
rolled from the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch
Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, Fla., on Jan. 17, 2018. The Atlas V lifted off successfully on Jan.
19, 2018 and successfully delivered the infrared missile tracking satellite to
orbit. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com
|
 |
|
A ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the SBIRS
GEO Flight 4 mission to geosynchronous orbit for the U.S. Air Force was
rolled from the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch
Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, Fla., on Jan. 17, 2018. The Atlas V lifted off successfully on Jan.
19, 2018 and successfully delivered the infrared missile tracking satellite to
orbit. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com
|
No comments:
Post a Comment