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Streaking to Orbit: United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Advanced Extremely High Frequency AEHF-4 jam resistant military communications satellite for
the U.S. Air Force blasts off shortly after midnight liftoff to geostationary transfer
orbit (GTO) in this long duration exposure photo on Oct. 17, 2018 at 12:15 a.m.
ET from Space Launch
Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on a national security
mission securely connecting US troops globally with US national leadership. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com
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Ken Kremer
-- SpaceUpClose.com -- 17 October 2018
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V made a magnificent midnight march to orbit after a flawless launch early this morning from the Florida Space Coast and successfully delivering the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-4) communication ssatellite to orbit for the U.S. Air Force that will provide secure jam-resistant military relay communications for US troops across the globe during peacetime and in war in case of a nuclear attack.
The 20-story tall ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the $1.8 Billion Lockheed Martin built AEHF-4 military satcom mission for the U.S. Air Force Space Command lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 precisely on time, Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 12:15 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.
AEHF-4 thus joins and expands the existing constellation of three nuclear-hardened AEHF Space Command satellites already operating in geostationary orbit 22,300 miles (36000 kilometers) above Earth to four - from past Atlas V deliveries. Eventually a constellation of six is planned.
“ULA’s unparalleled record of successfully launching and placing payloads in orbit signifies our profound commitment to national defense,” said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO, in a statement.
"We remain the only launch provider capable of placing our customers’ payloads into any national security space orbit, anytime, which we’ve proudly exhibited through 50 launches for the U.S. Air Force.”
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V made a magnificent midnight march to orbit after a flawless launch early this morning from the Florida Space Coast and successfully delivering the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-4) communication ssatellite to orbit for the U.S. Air Force that will provide secure jam-resistant military relay communications for US troops across the globe during peacetime and in war in case of a nuclear attack.
The 20-story tall ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the $1.8 Billion Lockheed Martin built AEHF-4 military satcom mission for the U.S. Air Force Space Command lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 precisely on time, Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 12:15 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.
AEHF-4 thus joins and expands the existing constellation of three nuclear-hardened AEHF Space Command satellites already operating in geostationary orbit 22,300 miles (36000 kilometers) above Earth to four - from past Atlas V deliveries. Eventually a constellation of six is planned.
“ULA’s unparalleled record of successfully launching and placing payloads in orbit signifies our profound commitment to national defense,” said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO, in a statement.
"We remain the only launch provider capable of placing our customers’ payloads into any national security space orbit, anytime, which we’ve proudly exhibited through 50 launches for the U.S. Air Force.”
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Up Close Engine view
of the fiery fury spewing from the five first stage Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ-60A solid rocket boosters and liquid fueled Russian
made RD-180 engine after launch of the ULA Atlas V carrying the Advanced Extremely High Frequency
AEHF-4 jam resistant military communications satellite for the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 17, 2018 at 12:15 a.m. ET from Space Launch
Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on US national security
mission. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com
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“Warfighters depend on launch partners like @ulalaunch to enable their command & control, and other
critical capabilities,” the Air Force tweeted.
Nearly pristine weather conditions greeted the rocket launch and provided spectators with spectacular viewing as the Alas V engines ignited and roared to life thereby instantly turning night to day.
Check out our gallery of Space UpClose launch and launch pad photos for your enjoyment.
The most powerful variant of the venerable ULA Atlas V quickly soared off the pad and brilliantly illuminated the scattered low hanging clouds on the walloping power of 2.6 million pounds of liftoff thrust spewing from the first stage RD-180 engine nozzles and augmented with five strap on solid rocket boosters on its way to an initial geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
The bright flames were visible for more than four minutes as the rocket arced over on an easterly trajectory towards Africa.
The five spent solid rocket boosters were jettisoned at 1 minutes 50 seconds into flight and the Swiss-made fairing was jettisoned about three and a half minutes after liftoff.
Nearly pristine weather conditions greeted the rocket launch and provided spectators with spectacular viewing as the Alas V engines ignited and roared to life thereby instantly turning night to day.
Check out our gallery of Space UpClose launch and launch pad photos for your enjoyment.
The most powerful variant of the venerable ULA Atlas V quickly soared off the pad and brilliantly illuminated the scattered low hanging clouds on the walloping power of 2.6 million pounds of liftoff thrust spewing from the first stage RD-180 engine nozzles and augmented with five strap on solid rocket boosters on its way to an initial geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
The bright flames were visible for more than four minutes as the rocket arced over on an easterly trajectory towards Africa.
The five spent solid rocket boosters were jettisoned at 1 minutes 50 seconds into flight and the Swiss-made fairing was jettisoned about three and a half minutes after liftoff.
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| United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Advanced Extremely High Frequency AEHF-4 jam resistant military communications satellite for the U.S. Air Force blasts off shortly after midnight liftoff to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) on Oct. 17, 2018 at 12:15 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on a national security mission securely connecting US troops globally with US national leadership. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com |
After completing a
trio of Centaur main engine burns the 6.8 ton AEHF-4 spacecraft separated as
planned from the Centaur upper stage approximately 3 hour and 32 minutes after
liftoff.
“The vehicle performed successfully during its three-and-a-half-hour mission, which included three Centaur burns,” said ULA.
“T+plus 3 hours, 32 minutes, 54 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Advanced Extremely High Frequency-4 communications satellite has been deployed into space by the Atlas V rocket’s Centaur upper stage for U.S. national security.”
“Lockheed Martin confirmed signal
acquisition at 3:47 a.m. ET,” Lockheed Martin reported to confirm they
were in communication with spacecraft and it is in good health and operation as
expected.
The launch was webcast live by ULA.
"The mission of AEHF is to provide survivable protected communications for the military's high-priority assets on the ground, at sea and in the air," Maj. Matthew Getts of the Air Force's Space and Missile Center in Los Angeles said during the webcast. "It also enables the president of the United States and combatant commanders to control their tactical and strategic forces through all levels of war and all phases of conflict."
"It's good to return with our mission partners to see the culmination of expertise, skill and partnership that we have worked diligently toward to make this AEHF launch a success," said Mike Cacheiro, vice president of Protected Communication Systems at Lockheed Martin.
"This is a substantial milestone for AEHF, and as we look ahead, we continue to improve and upgrade this mission to deliver these vital communications capabilities to the Air Force."
ULA flew their 197
foot tall (60 m) workhorse Atlas V rocket in the commanding 551 configuration
which comprises a LOX & RP-1 kerosene-fueled common core booster powered by
a Russian-made RD-180 main engine, a five-meter-diameter payload fairing
built by RUAG Space in Switzerland, five first stage AJ-60A
strap-on solid rocket
motors built by Aerojet-Rocketdyne and a single RL-10C engine LOX & LH2
fueled Centaur upper stage.
Today’s launch marked only the 9th time the 551 Atlas V configuration has flown and they have all been vital for US national security and NASA science missions.
“The 551 rocket has launched groundbreaking missions for our nation—from the critically important Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) constellation to historic science missions including New Horizons, the first mission to Pluto, and the Juno mission to Jupiter,” noted ULA.
“Over the past 12 years, the men and women of ULA have reliably delivered dozens of Air Force payloads into orbit from GPS to WGS, and SBIRS to AEHF,” said Gen. Jay Raymond, commander of Air Force Space Command, in a statement. “ULA’s unprecedented 100 percent launch success has directly contributed to our national security. Congratulations to the entire launch team on a successful 50th launch for the U.S. Air Force.”
AEHF-4 counts as the
newest and most advanced US Air Force jam-resistant protected military
communications satellite and will play a vital role in U.S. national security.
AEHF provides survivable, global, highly secure, protected, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea, and air assets, between U.S. national leadership [meaning the President] and deployed military forces, says USAF Space Command.
“The vehicle performed successfully during its three-and-a-half-hour mission, which included three Centaur burns,” said ULA.
“T+plus 3 hours, 32 minutes, 54 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Advanced Extremely High Frequency-4 communications satellite has been deployed into space by the Atlas V rocket’s Centaur upper stage for U.S. national security.”
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Launch of AEHF-4 on
ULA Atlas V for USAF on Oct. 17, 2018 from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,
Florida. Credit: Julian Leek
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The launch was webcast live by ULA.
"The mission of AEHF is to provide survivable protected communications for the military's high-priority assets on the ground, at sea and in the air," Maj. Matthew Getts of the Air Force's Space and Missile Center in Los Angeles said during the webcast. "It also enables the president of the United States and combatant commanders to control their tactical and strategic forces through all levels of war and all phases of conflict."
"It's good to return with our mission partners to see the culmination of expertise, skill and partnership that we have worked diligently toward to make this AEHF launch a success," said Mike Cacheiro, vice president of Protected Communication Systems at Lockheed Martin.
"This is a substantial milestone for AEHF, and as we look ahead, we continue to improve and upgrade this mission to deliver these vital communications capabilities to the Air Force."
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ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the Advanced
Extremely High Frequency AEHF-4 jam resistant military
communications satellite for the U.S. Air Force blasts off shortly after midnight liftoff to geostationary transfer
orbit (GTO) on Oct. 17, 2018 at 12:15 a.m. ET from Space Launch
Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on US national security
mission. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com
|
Today’s launch marked only the 9th time the 551 Atlas V configuration has flown and they have all been vital for US national security and NASA science missions.
“The 551 rocket has launched groundbreaking missions for our nation—from the critically important Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) constellation to historic science missions including New Horizons, the first mission to Pluto, and the Juno mission to Jupiter,” noted ULA.
“Over the past 12 years, the men and women of ULA have reliably delivered dozens of Air Force payloads into orbit from GPS to WGS, and SBIRS to AEHF,” said Gen. Jay Raymond, commander of Air Force Space Command, in a statement. “ULA’s unprecedented 100 percent launch success has directly contributed to our national security. Congratulations to the entire launch team on a successful 50th launch for the U.S. Air Force.”
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Artists concept of Advanced Extremely High
Frequency military communications satellite in orbit for US Air Force Space
Command. Credit: USAF
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AEHF provides survivable, global, highly secure, protected, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea, and air assets, between U.S. national leadership [meaning the President] and deployed military forces, says USAF Space Command.
The AEHF constellation “provides 10
times the throughput and a substantial increase in coverage compared to the
1990s-era Milstar satellites” that it replaces and are currently in
orbit.
The satellite was built by
prime contractor Lockheed Martin at the satellite integration facility in
Sunnyvale, California, based on the A 2100 series communications satellite
spacecraft model and has a mass of some 6100 kg (13600 pounds). Payload components were built by Northrop Grumman.
The Atlas V delivered AEHF-4 to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) on a specialized trajectory to minimize the spacecrafts subsequent orbit adjusting maneuvers by doing a longer firing of the Centaur upper stage to raise the perigee.
“Interesting trajectory tonight”, tweeted ULA CEO Tory Bruno.
“All our orbits are customized. This is a GTO, but we will coast for several hours out to apogee and then do a major lift of the perigee. This will leave the spacecraft with only a small amount of remaining energy to add in order to circularize.”
The beneficial by-product will be a significantly longer lifetime for the satellite since it will be left with extra kilos of bonus residual maneuvering fuel.
To achieve this the Air Force also decided to add two additional first stage solid boosters and fly the 551 configuration compared to the use of the 531 for the earlier satellites in the AEHF constellation. Two follow-on AEHF satellites will also fly with the 551 variant.
“AEHF-4 was originally slated to ride on an Atlas V in the 531 configuration,” said the Air Force in a statement.
“The Air Force moved to change AEHF-4 and the remaining two AEHF satellites’ launch vehicles to the 551 configuration by adding two additional solid boosters. This was identified as an opportunity to maximize chances for mission success over the lifetime of the space vehicles. This decision is a direct recognition of the critical support AEHF is required to provide to our warfighters and national leaders through potential future conflicts.”
The Atlas V delivered AEHF-4 to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) on a specialized trajectory to minimize the spacecrafts subsequent orbit adjusting maneuvers by doing a longer firing of the Centaur upper stage to raise the perigee.
“Interesting trajectory tonight”, tweeted ULA CEO Tory Bruno.
“All our orbits are customized. This is a GTO, but we will coast for several hours out to apogee and then do a major lift of the perigee. This will leave the spacecraft with only a small amount of remaining energy to add in order to circularize.”
The beneficial by-product will be a significantly longer lifetime for the satellite since it will be left with extra kilos of bonus residual maneuvering fuel.
To achieve this the Air Force also decided to add two additional first stage solid boosters and fly the 551 configuration compared to the use of the 531 for the earlier satellites in the AEHF constellation. Two follow-on AEHF satellites will also fly with the 551 variant.
“AEHF-4 was originally slated to ride on an Atlas V in the 531 configuration,” said the Air Force in a statement.
“The Air Force moved to change AEHF-4 and the remaining two AEHF satellites’ launch vehicles to the 551 configuration by adding two additional solid boosters. This was identified as an opportunity to maximize chances for mission success over the lifetime of the space vehicles. This decision is a direct recognition of the critical support AEHF is required to provide to our warfighters and national leaders through potential future conflicts.”
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A United Launch
Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the AEHF-4 milcomsat for the U.S. Air Force is poised for midnight liftoff to GTO on Oct.
17, 2018 at 12:15 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, Florida on a national security mission. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com
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The new satellite expands that constellation of three Air Force Space Command AEHF satellites to four - operating in geostationary orbit 22,300 miles (36000 kilometers) above Earth in a ring around the planet.
Two additional AEHF satellites are under construction by Lockheed Martin and are expected to launch in 2019 and 2020 to round out the system to a six-satellite constellation.
A major milestone was achieved with the first 3 AEHF satellites when the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency system was declared on July 28, 2015 by General John Hyten, Air Force Space Command commander.
The Air Force's 4th Space Operations Squadron operates the AEHF system, supporting warfighters around the world.
It provides continuous 24-hour coverage between 65 degrees north and 65 degrees south latitude.
The AEHF satellites are equipped with 2 SHF Downlink Phased Arrays, 2 Crosslinks, 2 Uplink/Downlink Nulling Antennas, 1 Uplink EHF Phased Array, 6 Uplink/Downlink Gimbaled Dish Antenna, 1 Each Uplink/downlink earth coverage horns.
The data rate capability ranges from 75 bps to approximately 8 Mbps.
The AEHF system includes international partners from the United Kingdom, Canada and the Netherlands.
This was the131st mission for ULA since the company was founded in 2006 and the 50th launch for the Air Force. It is the 79th for an Atlas V rocket and the 9th in the 551 configuration.
This also counts as the fifth and final Atlas V launch of the year and ULA’s 8th launch overall for 2018.
ULA's next launch is the NROL-71 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office on a Delta IV Heavy rocket. The launch is scheduled for Nov. 29 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
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A United Launch
Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the AEHF-4 milcomsat for the U.S. Air Force is poised for midnight liftoff to GTO on Oct.
17, 2018 at 12:15 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, Florida on a national security mission. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com
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Stay tuned here for Ken's continuing Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news: www.kenkremer.com –www.spaceupclose.com – twitter @ken_kremer – email: ken at kenkremer.com
Dr. Kremer is a research scientist and journalist based in the KSC area.
………….
Ken’s photos are for sale and he is available for lectures and outreach events
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Up close view of the RUAG space nose cone atop the ULA Atlas V rocket housing the AEHF-4 milcomsat for the U.S. Air Force poised for midnight liftoff to GTO on Oct.
17, 2018 at 12:15 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,
Florida on a national security mission. Credit: Ken
Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com
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Credit: Ken
Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com |
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