Launch News Atlas V 551 launch with MUOS-3, January 20/21, 2015

[boogabooga]

Didn't see a launch thread:

http://www.ulalaunch.com/

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Didn't see a launch thread:

http://www.ulalaunch.com/

You know, there's an easy way to measure the laziness of O-F's cosmic penguin: by seeing how late (or if there's even one) it delivers the usual satellite launch report. :rofl:

Anyway, MUOS-3 is the latest member of the under construction fleet of the US Navy's Mobile User Objective System, a.k.a. the new US military satellite 3G mobile communication system. Currently in testing mode, MUOS will eventually provide worldwide mobile data transfer capability that will be crucial to all US forces. With the satellite's huge 46-foot (14 meter) diameter reflector, "battlefield phone calls" from anywhere in the world, even at the poles, are now possible. This one marks the launch of the 3rd of 5 satellites planned, following MUOS-1 in February 2012 and MUOS-2 in July 2013.

Incidentally this will be the 200th Atlas-Centaur rocket to be launched - fitting with MUOS-1 being the passenger of the 200th Centaur almost 3 years ago!

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Launch date:​

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January 20/21, 2015​

Window open:​

| 00:43 UTC / 7:43 p.m. EST

Window close:​

| 01:27 UTC / 8:27 p.m. EST

Launch site:​

| SLC-41, CCAFS, Florida

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[highlight]L[eventtimer]2015-01-21 00:43:00;%c%%ddd%/%hh%:%mm%:%ss%[/eventtimer][/highlight]​

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Mission Insignia​

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Launch coverage: (starts 7:23 pm EST / 00:23 UTC)

• ULA webcast: http://www.ulalaunch.com/webcast.aspx
• ULA webcast 2: http://cmc-i.akamaihd.net/hls/live/201845/launch/index-launch.m3u8
• Spaceflight Now: http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/01/19/av052-mission-status-center/

Payload:

The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move.

MUOS will provide military users 10 times more communications capability over existing systems, including simultaneous voice, video and data, leveraging 3G mobile communications technology.

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Specifications​

Type / Application:​

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• Military mobile communication

Operator:|

• US Navy

Contractors:|

• Lockheed Martin

Equipment:|

• 46-foot primary UHF mesh reflector
• 17.7 foot legacy UFO system mesh reflector

Configuration:|

• A2100M

Dimensions:|

• ?

Propulsion:|

• ?

Power:|

• 2 deployable solar arrays
• batteries

Data Rate:|

• Up to 384 kbps on 4-5 MHz WCDMA channel

Launch Weight:|

• 6740 kg (3812 kg dry)

Orbit:|

• Geosynchronous orbit

​

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Launch Vehicle:

The Atlas 5 was developed by Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services as part of the US Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. Each Atlas 5 rocket uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen to power its first stage and an American-built RL10 engine burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its Centaur upper stage.

The Atlas 5 launcher will fly in the so-called 551 configuration, denoting a 5-meter payload fairing, 5 strap-on solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

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Specifications​

Gross mass:​

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• 573800 kg (1265000 lb)

Payload:​

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• 18510 kg (40800 lb) LEO
• 8900 kg (19620 lb) GTO

Height:​

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• 58.30 m (191.20 ft)

Diameter:​

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• 3.81 m (12.49 ft)

Span:​

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• 3.81 m (12.49 ft)

Thrust:​

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• 3827.00 kN (860343 lbf)

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Launch Timeline & Ground Track:

Weather forecast for Titusville, Florida on January 20, 2015 (8 p.m.)

Mostly clear. Low 11C. Winds light and variable.

Time|Temps|Dew Point|Relative Humidity|Precip|Snow|Cloud cover|Pressure|Wind|Weather
8 PM|16°C|13°C|85%|1%|0%|31%|1017 hPa|6 km/h SW|

Partly Cloudy

Links:

• Lockheed Martin: Mobile User Objective System
• Spaceflight Now: Navy craft to ride milestone Atlas-Centaur launching
• NASASpaceflight.com: ULA Atlas V set to loft third MUOS spacecraft

 

[boogabooga]

There's an easy way to measure the laziness of O-F's boogabooga when he considers a single link to be a launch report. :rofl:

I think there will be an (increasing rare) Delta II mission in the next few days as well.

---------- Post added at 07:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------

Live coverage has started

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

New launch time of 7:49 pm Eastern (00:49 UTC).

 

[boogabooga]

They answered my question kind of, but not really.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

New launch time of 7:49 pm Eastern (00:49 UTC).

Now 01:04 UTC. Waiting for upper level winds to co-operate.....

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Powerful launch! MUOS-3 is now in a transfer orbit following the completion of 2 of 3 Centaur burns.

In other news, my Twitter #AskULA question about MUOS data transfer rates got answered! :woohoo: No Mbps rate yet due to narrow frequency width....

 

[boogabooga]

Congratulations, mine too!

 

[ADSWNJ]

That rocket had some serious jump off the pad, didn't it? Awesome. Love me some night launches...

 

[Prowler901]

Wow! That bad boy just leaps off the pad! FLY NAVY!

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Mission accomplished again!