Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 4 Launch Highlights Reel: ULA Video



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.

The $1.2 Billion SBIRS Geo Flight 4 satellite was delivered to geosynchronous orbit.

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.comwww.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



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