Space UpClose

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Maiden Falcon Heavy Targets Feb. 6 Launch Says SpaceX CEO Elon Musk

Maiden SpaceX Falcon Heavy stands vertical at seaside pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center as Falcon 9 booster set to deliver SES-16/GovSat-1 stands vertical at pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station after Jan. 26, 2018 static fire test. Falcon Heavy blastoff is slated for Feb. 6 and Falcon 9 blastoff is slated for Jan. 30, 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/kenkremer.com

Ken Kremer -- SpaceUpClose.com -- 27 Jan 2018

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – The maiden test flight of the powerful triple stick SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is now scheduled for blastoff on Feb. 6 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center announced SpaceX CEO and billionaire founder Elon Musk in a brief tweet officially revealing the targeted launch date publicly for the first time today.

“Aiming for first flight of Falcon Heavy on Feb 6 from Apollo launchpad 39A at Cape Kennedy,” Musk tweeted Saturday, Jan. 27 – even as his firm’s single stick Falcon 9 targets blastoff on Tuesday, Jan 30 on nearby pad 40 on the Florida Space Coast.

Thus there were briefly a dynamic duo of SpaceX Falcon series of rockets simultaneously vertical – as I witnessed and reported here. See our exclusive Space UpClose gallery.

2 soon to launch SpaceX rockets stand simultaneous erect at Florida’s Spaceport: Falcon Heavy at pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at left and Falcon 9 booster carrying SES-16/GovSat-1 at pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at right post Jan. 26, 2018 static fire test. Falcon Heavy blastoff slated for Feb. 6 and Falcon 9 blastoff slated for Jan. 30, 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com

The triple core rocket will lift off from historic pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in the early afternoon during a launch window that opens at 1:30 p.m. EST on Feb. 6.

The three-hour long launch window extends from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 pm EST (18:30-21:30 GMT). The backup launch day is Feb. 7.

The enormous 22 story tall Falcon Heavy vehicle will generate by far the loudest, most impressive and tremendous sounds thundering out from Florida’s Spaceport since the shuttle shutdown in 2011.

The inaugural SpaceX Falcon Heavy stands vertical at night at pad 39A while bathed in light at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida – as seen on Jan. 12, 2018 from Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore prior to planned static test firing of all 27 first stage engines this week. Debut liftoff slated for Feb. 6, 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com

It’s truly ‘Rocket Heaven’ at Florida’s Spaceport – with a double dose of SpaceX Falcons totaling four cores launching back to back.

Launch of the soon to be ‘World’s Most Powerful Rocket’ on its first demonstration mission is at last at hand in less than 10 days time after years of postponements to refine and validate the design and develop, ready and test this incredible complex “beast” of a vehicle.

27 first stage Merlin 1D engines will ignite to generate nearly 5 million pounds of liftoff thrust rumbling across the Florida Space Coast as it starts its history making soar to space.

The Falcon Heavy has about double the liftoff thrust of its nearest competitor – namely the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy.

"We’re stepping through this carefully, it’s a beast of a vehicle," says SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell.

But before the Falcon Heavy can blast off, the Falcon 9 carrying the SES-16/GovSat-1 communications satellite must safely deliver the commercial payload to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The maiden Falcon Heavy’s payload is Musk’s Tesla Roaster that will be hurled outward on a whimsical trip on a long looping heliocentric journey out to Mars orbit but actually will approach nowhere near the Red Planet. Musk also owns Tesla.

NASA’s Apollo Saturn manned Moon landing rockets as well the Space Shuttles lifted off from Launch Complex 39A dating back to the 1960s for Apollo and the commencing with the Shuttles in the 1980s until the retirement in 2011.

SpaceX has leased pad 39A from NASA under a long term contract. After upgrading and refurbishing the structures and facilities SpaceX reactivated pad 39A and began launching the Falcon 9 in February 2017.

The fast approaching Falcon Heavy launch has generated tremendous interest in the general public - in addition to the space community - and local hotels and viewing locations are expected to be swamped.

Indeed the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has already sold out all ticket packages for the two closest and most expensive viewing locations.

But not to worry, there are plenty of free viewing locations at beaches, highways, causeways and parks ringing the Kennedy Space Center.

“Easy viewing from the public causeway,” Musk noted.

The path to launch was cleared when the SpaceX launch team successfully completed the critical hold down static hot fire test just days ago on Jan. 24, when all 27 Merlin engines were lit together for the very first time.

Check out our Falcon Heavy static fire test photos here.

Maiden SpaceX Falcon Heavy ignites 27 first stage engines during first ever static fire test generating 5 million pounds of thrust and an enormous exhaust plume on Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida – as seen on Jan. 24, 2018 from Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Debut liftoff slated for Feb. 6, 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com

Watch this video of the the Jan 24 static test fire:

Video Caption: SpaceX Falcon Heavy TEST FIRE Jan 24, 2018. America's new rocket, the inaugural SpaceX Falcon Heavy, came to life for the first time for a Static Test Fire on KSC pad 39A Jan 24, 2018. Credit: Jeff Seibert

A successful static fire test is one of the last major milestones required before SpaceX can attempt to really launch the Falcon Heavy on the maiden demonstration mission of this very complicated vehicle.

The payload is Musk’s Tesla Roaster that will be hurled outward on a whimsical trip to Mars orbit.

The triple stick Falcon Heavy is comprised of a trio of Falcon 9 boosters - including a significantly modified central core, to deal with aerodynamic stresses, that is attached to a pair of side-mounted cores with newly developed nose cones mounted in place of payload fairings.

The two side cores are ‘flight-proven’ boosters that already launched once and are being recycled for the Heavy.

First fully integrated SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket was raised vertical at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida – as seen up close on Jan. 9, 2017. Nose cone housing Tesla Roadster payload is stenciled with Falcon Heavy logo. Debut liftoff slated for Feb. 6, 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com

The gigantic two stage Falcon Heavy stands more than 229 feet (70 meters) tall and measures 39.9 feet wide (12.2 meters). It also features a dozen grid fins and a dozen landing legs attached to the first stage boosters in an attempt to soft land all three cores – by land and by sea.

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 - ken at kenkremer.com

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Ken’s upcoming outreach events:

Learn more about the upcoming SpaceX Falcon Heavy and Falcon 9 SES-16/GovSat-1 launches on Jan. 30 & Feb. 6, NASA missions, ULA Atlas & Delta launches, SpySats and more at Ken’s upcoming outreach events at Kennedy Space Center Quality Inn, Titusville, FL:

Jan 29/30: “SpaceX Falcon Heavy & Falcon 9 launches, ULA Atlas USAF SBIRS GEO 4 missile warning satellite, SpaceX SES-16/GovSat-1, CRS-13/14 resupply launches to the ISS, Intelsat 35e, BulgariaSat 1 and NRO Spysat, SLS, Orion, Commercial crew capsules from Boeing and SpaceX , GOES-S weather satellite launch, OSIRIS-Rex, Juno at Jupiter, InSight Mars lander, SpaceX and Orbital ATK cargo missions to the ISS, ULA Delta 4 Heavy spy satellite, Curiosity and Opportunity explore Mars, NH at Pluto and more,” Kennedy Space Center Quality Inn, Titusville, FL, evenings. Photos for sale

Saturday, January 27, 2018

2 Falcons Simultaneously Vertical on 2 Pads Launching by SpaceX in Next 2 Weeks 1st time: Rocket Heaven at Florida’s Spaceport

Ken Kremer -- SpaceUpClose.com -- 26 Jan 2018

MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REGUGE/PLAYALINDA BEACH, FL - 2 soon to launch Falcons stand simultaneously vertical on 2 launch pads for back to back launchings by SpaceX in the next 2 weeks for the first time. They are pictured together here for the first time shortly after today’s successful static fire test of the single stick Falcon 9 on Friday, Jan. 26 at the Cape.

It’s truly Rocket Heaven at Florida’s Spaceport – with the maiden Falcon Heavy and a ‘Flight-Proven’ Falcon 9!

Check out my exclusive SpaceUpClose.com photo gallery of the maiden Falcon Heavy at pad 39A and the recycled Falcon 9 at pad 40 pointing magnificently skyward to the High Frontier from the Florida Space Coast.

SpaceX’s triple stick Falcon Heavy sits at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, at left, while SpaceX’s single stick Falcon 9 booster sits at Space Launch Complex-40 (SLC-40) on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, at right.

The debut SpaceX Falcon Heavy and a recycled Falcon 9 were both upright and close enough at nearby launch pads to be captured in a single shot - it’s just historic.

4 Cores for 2 SpaceX Falcon family of rockets!

History is in the making at SpaceX founded by billionaire CEO Elon Musk.

The Falcon 9 will deliver SES-16/GovSat-1 to geosynchronous orbit for the government of Luxembourg. The maiden Falcon Heavy’s payload is Musk’s Tesla Roaster that will be hurled outward on a whimsical trip on a heliocentric journey to Mars orbit.

The dynamic duo of Falcons designed and manufactured by SpaceX are targeting liftoff just days apart on NET Jan. 30 for the Falcon 9 and NET Feb. 6. Of course this schedule is completely dependent on a myriad of technical issues and the ever changing Florida weather.

Each rocket stands about 229 feet tall (70 meters).

Both rockets completed successful hold down static fire tests this week - just 2 days apart on Wed. Jan. 24 and Fri. Jan 26.

The static fire of the headless Falcon 9 took place Friday around 1230 pm EST and lasted several seconds.

“Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting January 30 launch of GovSat-1 from Pad 40 in Florida,” tweeted SpaceX. Unfortunately there was no advance word on the timing of the static fire.

The rocket was ‘headless’ because the test firing of the first stage equipped with 9 Merlin 1D engines is conducted without the payload on top to keep it safe in case of a launch pad accident such as occurred during the catastrophic explosion with the Amos-6 payload in Sept. 2016. That calamity resulted in destruction of the payload and rocket and extensive damage to pad 40 infrastructures.

The 1^st ever static fire test for the Falcon Heavy took place on Wednesday, Jan 24, at 12:30 p.m. EST and lasted about 10 seconds – as I watched from the Playalinda Beach causeway. Read our stories here.

Caption: Debut SpaceX Falcon Heavy ignites 27 first stage engines during first ever static fire test generating 5 million pounds of thrust and an enormous exhaust plume on

Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida – as seen on Jan. 24 2018 from Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Debut liftoff slated for early February 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com

The two side cores are ‘flight-proven’ boosters that already launched once and are being recycled for the Heavy.

Read our detailed prelaunch and launch stories.

Watch for Ken’s continuing onsite coverage of Falcon Heavy, SpaceX, 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, ken at kenkremer.com

Debut SpaceX Falcon Heavy ignites 27 first stage engines during first ever static fire test generating 5 million pounds of thrust and an enormous exhaust plume on

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Mighty SpaceX Falcon Heavy Roars to Life Emitting Enormous Exhaust Plume After Stunning 1st Static Fire Engine Test

Debut SpaceX Falcon Heavy ignites 27 first stage engines during first ever static fire test generating 5 million pounds of thrust and an enormous exhaust plume on

Ken Kremer -- SpaceUpClose.com -- 24 Jan 2018

MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REGUGE/PLAYALINDA BEACH, FL – The mighty SpaceX Falcon Heavy made space history today, roaring to life for the first time ever - emitting an enormous exhaust plume after firing up all 27 first stage engines generating 5 million pounds of thrust and successfully conducting the first ever hold down static fire test at historic pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX billionaire CEO and founder Elon Musk declared the test firing a success soon after the mammoth triple core rocket ignited all 27 of its Merlin 1D first stage engines putting on stunning display of firepower and thundering sound today, Jan. 24, at approximately 12:30 p.m. EST on seaside Launch Complex 39A at KSC

“Falcon Heavy hold-down firing this morning was good, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted.

“Generated quite a thunderhead of steam.”

For over 10 seconds finally we heard the SpaceX Falcon Heavy produce the biggest and loudest rocket firing reverberate across the Florida Space Coast since the retirement of NASA’s space shuttle over six years ago dating back to July 2011. The test has been delayed a quite number of times over the past few weeks as workers tested hardware and software and resolved issues.

The exhaust plume of steam and ash towered high in the skies over pad 39A. It was far bigger, more impressive and louder than the single stick SpaceX Falcon 9 static fire tests which typically last about 3 to 7 seconds.

Check out our Space UpClose gallery as I watched the magnificent test firing along with space journalist colleagues and the public from the Playalinda Causeway on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The 22 story tall Falcon Heavy was glistening in the midday sun under uncommonly picture perfect January skies in the moments leading up to engine ignition.

The soon to be ‘World’s Most Powerful Rocket’ should finally blastoff soon, perhaps as soon as early February.

“Launching in a week or so,” Musk added.

The debut liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy on its first demonstration mission is now closer than ever before after years of development.

“First static fire test of Falcon Heavy complete—one step closer to first test flight!” tweeted SpaceX.

The static fire test had been postponed multiple times over the past few weeks as the SpaceX launch team carried out numerous pad operations, rollout, raising erect and lowering as well as what called ‘Wet Dress Rehearsals’ where technicians conduct critical pumping and loading operations of the liquid oxygen and RP-1 kerosene propellants into the first and second stages.

Watch this video of the today’s static test fire:

The payload is Musk’s Tesla Roaster that will be hurled outward on a whimsical trip to Mars orbit.

The two side cores are ‘flight-proven’ boosters that already launched once and are being recycled for the Heavy.

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

ULA Atlas V Delivers SBIRS ‘Global Watchman’ Ballistic Missile Early Warning Satellite to Orbit: Photos

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

Ken Kremer -- Space UpClose -- 20 Jan 2018

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – Just hours before the shutdown of the U.S. government due to a budget impasse between the political parties in the national capitol, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket blasted off at dinnertime Friday night, Jan. 19 and successfully delivered the SBIRS Geo Flight 4 infrared surveillance and enemy ballistic missile detection satellite to orbit for the U.S. Air Force from Florida’s spaceport.

The 5 ton, 50-foot-long high priority satellite was “responding to commands” soon thereafter confirming its healthy on orbit operation.

Liftoff of the Atlas V rocket carrying the USAF SBIRS Geo Flight 4 satellite took place right at the opening of the launch window Jan. 19 at 7:48 p.m. EST, from seaside Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida by rocket provider United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Check out our SpaceUpClose gallery of photos and videos from myself and space colleagues and friends.

Flocks of excited spectators from across the globe gathered at beaches and lined causeways ringing the Florida Space Coast for the especially convenient dinnertime blastoff as the 19-story tall Atlas V roared off pad 41 into crystal clear, cloudless and comfortably warm evening skies.

We observed a stunning sky spectacle for over 5 uninterrupted minutes as the first and second stages separated as the rocket and payload arced over to the African continent and accelerated to orbit.

Watch this video compilation of the launch captured by cameras stationed at multiple angles:

Video Caption: UP CLOSE Atlas-V Launches SBIRS GEO-4 Missile Defense Satellite / Jan 19, 2018. Views from our remote cameras capturing up-close angles of a ULA Atlas-V rocket, flying a rare '411' configuration with 1 solid rocket booster, to deliver America's fourth critical SBIRS missile defense satellite (GEO-4) to orbit for the U.S Air Force on Jan 19, 2018. Credit: Jeff Seibert

“The successful launch of SBIRS GEO Flight-4 is the reward for years of hard work put in by our combined government and industry team,” said Col. Dennis Bythewood, director of the Remote Sensing Directorate, in a statement.

“Putting this fourth SBIRS GEO satellite on-orbit is the capstone event for the original SBIRS baseline constellation, and I’m proud of everyone involved. Without their perseverance and dedication to the mission, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Launch of the ULA Atlas V carrying the USAF SBIRS GEO Flight 4 mission on Jan. 19, 2018. Credit: Julian Leek

The SBIRS system functions as a 24/7 ‘global watchman’ with infrared eyes that are “more precise and powerful than expected.”

The scanning sensor continuously scans the earth to provide tactical alerts on missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness, and tactical intelligence critical to the defense of our homeland and our allies.

"SBIRS is the nation’s 24-7 global watchman, with infrared eyes ready to detect and deliver early warning and tracking of ballistic missiles. A cornerstone of the nation’s missile defense system, SBIRS is proving even more precise and powerful than expected," said Tom McCormick, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Overhead Persistent Infrared systems mission area.

Government and military leaders say the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is “considered to be one of the nation’s highest priority space programs, and is designed to provide global, persistent, infrared surveillance capabilities to meet 21st century demands.”

Launch of the ULA Atlas V carrying the USAF SBIRS GEO Flight 4 mission on Jan. 19, 2018. Credit: Dawn Leek Taylor

SBIRS GEO 4 launched southeast at an inclination of 16.88 degrees. It separated from the 2^nd stage 42 minutes and 31 seconds after liftoff as planned.

“Following separation, the spacecraft began a series of orbital maneuvers to propel it to a geosynchronous earth orbit. Once in its final orbit, engineers will deploy the satellite's solar arrays and antennas. The engineers will then complete checkout and tests in preparation for operational use,” said the USAF.

The USAF Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Flight 4 satellite is designed to detect infrared signatures that will deliver vital early warnings on incoming hostile nuclear and conventional ballistic missiles in case of an enemy attack on the US and its allies.

The crucial role of SBIRS was highlighted just days ago by the false missile attack alert alarm sent out by Hawaiian state authorities with the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) warning of an imminent ballistic missile attack of the type that this satellite would detect. The false alarm panicked hordes of residents and tourists alike and took 38 minutes to correct.

With the unpredictable North Korean dictator Kim John Un repeatedly launching ever more powerful and upgraded long range intercontinental ballistic missiles this past year that could potentially strike virtually the entire United States land mass, SBIRS GEO 4 is more important than ever for our national defense.

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

Friday nights launch counts as the fourth in the SBIRS constellation. It marked the completion of the initial network of a quartet of infrared surveillance satellites that will provide rapid and accurate warning of attacking enemy strategic missiles via infrared signatures - as well as critical targeting data to US missile defense systems to enable swiftly responding launches that will hopefully destroy the attackers in the battle space arena before impacting and destroying US cities, infrastructure and military installations and killing untold millions.

“The delivery, launch, and successful operation of GEO Flight-4 will mark the fulfillment of the original SBIRS baseline constellation and reaffirm our commitment to provide our country, warfighters, and senior leaders with timely, reliable, and accurate missile warning and infrared surveillance information,” said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, SMC commander and Air Force program executive officer for space.

The $1.2 Billion Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite was launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit some 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometers) over the equator.

The U.S. Air Force’s 460^th Space Wing reported a successful acquisition of signals from the satellite 37 minutes later.

“SBIRS GEO Flight-4 satellite is responding to the Wing’s commands as planned. Signal acquisition was confirmed approximately 37 minutes after the satellite’s 7:48 p.m. EST launch aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas,” reported satellite builder Lockheed Martin.

“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.”

“Finalizing the preparations for the fourth launch of a SBIRS GEO satellite is a big deal,” notes Col. Dennis Bythewood. “The entire team understands how significant this is, and we’re ready to make it happen.”

The SBIRS constellation is replacing the Defense Support Program (DSP) constellation which has been in operation since 1970.

A ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the SBIRS GEO Flight 4 mission for the U.S. Air Force lifts 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

The 194-foot-tall commercial Atlas V booster launched in the 411 rocket configuration with approximately 860,000 pounds of sea level first stage thrust powered by the single engine dual nozzle Russian-built RD AMROSS RD-180 engine fueled by liquid oxygen and RP-1 kerosene propellants. There is one thrust augmenting Aerojet-Rocketdyne AJ-60A solid rocket booster (SRB) attached to the first stage generating approximately 348,500 pounds of thrust.

The 10,000 pound satellite is housed inside a 4-meter (14 foot) diameter large payload fairing (LPF). The Centaur upper stage is powered by a single Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engine producing 22,900 lb of thrust fueled by liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.

This mission marked the 5th Atlas V mission in the minimally used 411 configuration, including NASA’s OSIRIS-REX asteroid sampling probe.

The three prior SBIRS GEO missions launched on the ULA Atlas V 401 workhouse configuration of the rocket.

The solid rocket booster was added for a controlled deorbit of the second stage.

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 launch of SBIRS GEO Flight 4 comes almost exactly 1 year after the SBIRS GEO 3 launch likewise on an Atlas V in January 2017.

The first SBIRS satellite was launched in 2011 and the second in 2013.

The satellites were built at prime contractor Lockheed Martin’s satellite manufacturing facility in Sunnyvale, California.

Lockheed Martin is under contract to build two more upgraded satellites in the SBIRS series based on the LM 2100 satellite bus. SBIRS 5 and 6 will launch after 2020.

“We’re already improving on SBIRS, upgrading our fifth and sixth SBIRS GEO satellites to our modernized LM 2100 satellite bus at no additional cost to the Air Force. On SBIRS 5 and 6 the Air Force saved $1 billion through improved production and management efficiencies,” noted Tom McCormick.

ULA has enjoyed a 100% success rate up to this 75^th Atlas V launch stretching back to the company’s founding back in 2006 and the Atlas V inaugural flight in 2002.

ULA is a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin with 125 successful launches now under its belt.

The SBIRS team is led by the Remote Sensing Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman as the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.

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

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ULA Atlas V at Sunset at pad 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla that will deliver SBIRS GEO Flight 4 to geosynchronous orbit for the USAF on Jan. 19, 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com

SBIRS GEO Flight 4, the next Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite to join the U.S. Air Force’s Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) during assembly and test at Lockheed Martin’s satellite manufacturing facility in Sunnyvale, California. Credit: Lockheed Martin