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AEHF-2 Launch Updates
Launch and Ascent Information
Launch Vehicle Data
Atlas V Countdown Timeline


Mission Success for Atlas V delivering AEHF to Orbit

May 4, 2012

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 531 Rocket Lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Friday at 18:42 GMT to begin its Mission to deliver the US Air Force AEHF-2 Satellite to Orbit. The $1.7-Billion Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite 2 Spacecraft was deployed 51 Minutes after blastoff.
After yesterday's Launch Scrub due to technical issues, the tanks of the Atlas Booster and Centaur Upper Stage were drained and the vehicle was safed. Engineers accessed the Pad and started a procedure to replace a valve that was found to be in an off-nominal condition. During Thursda's launch countdown, a thermal violation in the Centaur Interstage Section was observed by the Launch Team. Subsequently, it was determined that there was no downstream Helium Pressure and a valve was identified to be the cause of the problem. The Launch Team evaluated different options including Pad Re-Entry by a special team to manually re-configure the Purge Valve. After discussing all options, the Launch was scrubbed because configurations would have taken too long. The Aluminum Atlas/Centaur Interstage Adapter is only 0.32 meters in length and 3.81 meters in diameter. I weighs 285 Kilograms. After gaining access to the pad following the scrub, teams replaced the valve with a new unit to make sure the problem won't occur again. Also during Thursday's Countdown, Range Controllers became aware of a Signal Interference issue from a location south-east of the Launch Complex.
The launch delay gave US Air Force Members time to investigate the cause of the issue and make sure that no signal problems were present for the second launch attempt. Fixing the Purge Valve Issue consumed a large amount of time on Friday, but was finished without any impact on countdown operations. Countdown procedures started on Friday at 11:42 GMT – 7 hours before liftoff. The Atlas V Vehicle was powered up and extensive vehicle tests began to make sure the rocket was in proper condition for flight.
Picture
Photo: United Launch Alliance
Picture
Photo: United Launch Alliance
After completing vehicle and pad close-outs, engineers departed the Launch Complex and cleared the Blast Danger Area to set the stage for the complex fueling process. Roadblocks were set up to make sure nobody was entering the area. Also, the Launch Hazard Area became active and was monitored by Air Force Range Controllers at the Morell Operations Center, providing a clear range for the Rocket on its way to depart the Space Coast. Fueling got underway just after countdown clocks started ticking again coming out of a 30-minute built-in hold at the T-2-Hour mark.
The complex propellant loading process started with Transfer Lines Chilldown and Atlas/Centaur Tank Chilldown before propellants started actually flowing inside the Vehicle’s tanks. Liquid Oxygen Loading of the Centaur Upper Stage began at 16:45 GMT and was followed by Common Core Booster LOX Tanking at L-1 Hour and 40 Minutes. To fill the tanks with Oxidizer, the vehicle went through slow fill mode before transitioning to fast-fill and eventually reaching the topping phase went tanks reached the 95% mark. Atlas Booster Topping began at 17:50 GMT while the Upper Stage had reached its LOX Flight Level well before that at around 17:20. Centaur Hydrogen Loading started at 17:30 GMT and also went through the nominal steps. During tanking, no problems were reported and the 90-minute process was finished as expected. The first stage of the Vehicle was filled with Rocket Propellant 1 which is highly refined Kerosene, during nominal Atlas launch preparations. Before and during fueling, the Atlas V underwent extensive checkouts. The electrical systems was thoroughly checked and communication checks were performed by the launch team that also activated and tested the Rocket’s Flight Termination System. The hydraulic system of the vehicle was pressurized and checked and the RD-180 first stage engine as well as the RL-10 second stage engine were put through a steering profile. At L-40 minutes, the Fueling Process concluded and a final round of vehicle testing started. These tests included Flight Termination System checks to make sure the system was ready to destroy the launcher in the unlikely event of a major malfunction.
At T-4 Minutes, countdown clocks stopped once again for the final built-in hold.
At that point, the AEHF Spacecraft was switched to internal power to place it in its launch configuration, During the hold due to the two open items, the Launch Team received another weather briefing. Meteorologists reported good conditions. Teams completed the final pre-launch Polls and decided to press into the Automated Countdown Sequence. The Countdown resumed at 20:38 GMT and final vehicle reconfigurations were made in the 4 minutes leading up to Blastoff. Pressurization of Atlas and Centaur Tank to Flight Level was completed as expected. Also, the vehicle switched to internal power and the Launch Control System was enabled. At 20:42, the Atlas V 531 Rocket lifted off from its Launch Pad – right on time at the opening of the 120-minute launch window. Following RD-180 Main Engine Ignition and 2.7 Seconds of Engine Monitoring, the three Solid Rocket Boosters were ignited and the Launcher blasted off.
Atlas V in its 531 Configuration features 3 Solid Rocket Boosters, a 5.4-meter Payload Fairing and one Engine one its Centaur Upper Stage. Just after launch, the Atlas Rocket completed its Roll and Pitch Maneuver to align itself with its targeted 90.13-degree flight azimuth to leave the Space Coast. After only 39 seconds, the vehicle passed Mach 1 and encountered Maximum Dynamic Pressure at T+48 seconds. First Stage flight continued as the Solid Rocket Boosters burned out after 94 seconds of flight. They were jettisoned in two groups of two and one booster respectively at T+1:55 and T+1:57. Separation was nominal and the vehicle continued powered ascent with its RD-180 Engine that kept burning until T+4 Minutes, 18 Seconds providing 3,827 kilonewtons of thrust. Stage Separation and Centaur Ignition were normal. The Upper Stage concluded its first burn 13 Minutes and 56 seconds into the mission to begin the first coast phase in a parking orbit of 185 by 898 kilometers with an inclination of 27.5 degrees. For the AV-031 Flight, this first Coast Phase was only 8 minutes in duration. 22 Minutes after blastoff, the Upper Stage started its RL-10A Main Engine again to conduct the second burn of the mission. Providing 99.2 kilonewtons of thrust, the engine burned for just over 5 minutes and 30 seconds before shutting down. After MECO-2 – Main Engine Cutoff 2 – Centaur initiated a thermal roll to maintain thermal limits and keep heat exposure even over the entire surface of the stack. This set that stage for another coast phase. The Vehicle coasted for 23 minutes before getting set for Spacecraft separation. 51 Minutes and 11 Seconds after lifting off from Florida’s Space Coast, AEHF-2 was deployed in its desired Supersynchronous Orbit. The targeted orbit was highly elliptical with a Perigee of 222 Kilometers and Apogee of 50,244 Kilometers inclined 21 degrees to either side of the equator. After Spacecraft Separation, Centaur conducted a Collission Avoidance Maneuver before passivation – concluding another successful Mission for United Launch Alliance and delivering AEHF-2 to Orbit for a 15-year Mission. A complete AEF-2 Satellite overview is available below.
Today’s Atlas V Mission marked the 30th Launch of an Atlas V, the second Flight of the 531 Configuration and the 612th launch for the Atlas Program that began back in 1957.
Picture
Photo: United Launch Alliance
"ULA is proud to serve alongside our mission partners and privileged that the Air Force entrusts the ULA team to deliver critical national security capability to orbit for our soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines around the world,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations. “Through our focus on attaining Perfect Product Delivery, ULA remains dedicated to providing reliable, cost-effective launch services while continuing our unwavering commitment to 100 percent mission success.  Today’s successful launch was the 60th since ULA was formed just over five years ago and we congratulate the AEHF team on this important step toward delivering these critical protected communications capabilities.”

Launch Video


AEHF-2 Satellite Information

_ The Advanced Extremely High Frequency  Satellite 2 (AEHF) is part of the AEHF Constellation that will provide survivable, global, secure, protected, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea and air assets. The System will be used by the US National Security Council and Unified Combatant Commanders. AEHF will be used to control tactical and strategic forces at all levels of conflict as well as nuclear war.
The Satellite System is the follow-on to the Milstar Constellation - improving the MILSATCOM architecture that was designed in the 1990s.
The AEHF System will consist of four satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit providing full coverage between 65 degrees north and 65 degrees south latitude operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The System consists of three portions: the satellites operating in space, mission control and associated communication links and user terminals connected to the Satellites for up- and downlink. Communications of specified rates from 75 bps to approximately 8 Mbps are provided by the system of four crosslinked satellites. Mission Control is in charge of orbital operations and communication scheduling. AEHF Uplinks and Crosslink Feeds are provided in Extremely High Frequency while downlinks utilize Super High Frequency signals. User terminals include mobile terminals, ship and submarine terminals, and airborne terminals used by all of the Services and AEHF international partners which are Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The AEHF 2 Satellite was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. It is based on Lockheed’s A2100 Satellite Bus that includes includes hall current thruster electric propulsion, which is 10 times more efficient than conventional bipropellant systems. This system removes orbit eccentricity during Transfer Orbit Operations as well as re-orientations and orbit maintenance.
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Image: Lockheed Martin
_The Spacecraft has a liftoff mass of approximately 6,170 Kilograms. AEHF 2 includes several communication antennas. 2 Super High Frequency Phased Antenna Arrays provide downlink feeds, 2 crosslink antennas are mounted on the satellite and 2 Uplink/Downlink Nulling Antennas are installed on the satellite. Also, AEHF includes an Uplink Extreme High Frequency Phased Antenna Array, 6 gimbaled Dish Antennas for Uplink and Downlink and two Earth coverage horns.
After being delivered to its desired Supersynchronous Transfer Orbit by Atlas V Launch Vehicle, AEHF 2 starts a period of on-orbit commissioning that includes the transfer to its final Geosynchronous Orbit using an Apogee Motor and the electrical thrusters as well as systems checkouts. After the 100-day commissioning phase is complete, the satellite will enter operations next to AEHF 1 that was launched in 2010 – waiting for the constellation to be fully operational after all four satellites have been delivered to orbit. The expected satellite lifetime is 15 years.
Picture
Photo: United Launch Alliance


Launch Day Recap: First Launch Attempt scrubbed

May 3, 2012

_ The launch of an United Launch Alliance Atlas V 531 Rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to deliver the US Air Force AEHF-2 Satellite to Orbit has been delayed due to technical problems on Thursday.
Final preparations for liftoff got underway after the Atlas V Vehicle with AEHF-2 under its Payload Fairing was rolled to the Launch Pad on Wednesday. Teams secured the launcher after it arrived at the pad, connected electrical and communication lines and made propellant connections to the Pad’s structure in preparation for fueling. Also, engineers began Launch Pad Close-Outs before a quiet night at SLC-41 began for the Atlas V Rocket. Early in the morning on Thursday (local time), the Launch Team reported to console to begin Countdown Operations.
Countdown procedures started on Friday at 11:46 GMT – 7 hours before liftoff. The Atlas V Vehicle was powered up and extensive vehicle tests began to make sure the rocket was in proper condition for flight.
Picture
Photo: United Launch Alliance
_After completing vehicle and pad close-outs, engineers departed the Launch Complex and cleared the Blast Danger Area to set the stage for the complex fueling process. Fueling got underway just after countdown clocks started ticking again coming out of a 30-minute built-in hold at the T-2-Hour mark.
Fueling started with Transfer Lines Chilldown and Atlas/Centaur Tank Chilldown before propellants started actually flowing inside the Vehicle’s tanks. Liquid Oxygen Loading of the Centaur Upper Stage began at 16:49 GMT and was followed by Common Core Booster LOX Tanking at L-1 Hour and 40 Minutes. To fill the tanks with Oxidizer, the vehicle went through slow fill mode before transitioning to fast-fill and eventually reaching the topping phase when tanks reached the 95% mark. Centaur Hydrogen Loading started at 17:30 GMT and also went through the nominal steps. During tanking, no problems were reported and the two-hour process was finished as expected. The first stage of the Vehicle was filled with Rocket Propellant 1 which is highly refined Kerosene, earlier as part of nominal Atlas launch preparations.
Picture
Photo: United Launch Alliance
__Before and during fueling, the Atlas V underwent extensive checkouts. The electrical systems was thoroughly checked and communication checks were performed by the launch team that also activated and tested the Rocket’s Flight Termination System. The hydraulic system of the vehicle was pressurized and checked and the RD-180 first stage engine as well as the RL-10 second stage engine were put through a steering profile. Approaching the final Hold of the Countdown, the Launch Teams ‘Anomaly Net’ became busy as a Ground Support Equipment issue was assessed. The T-4-Minute hold was extended and the launcher remained in a stable configuration while the launch team worked the problems.
The Centaur Interstage Adapter showed a thermal violation and teams determined that no purge Nitrogen was flowing into that particular area of the vehicle. A pressure indicator confirmed that there was no purge in the Interstage Section. The Launch team evaluated the problem and assessed the option of sending a special team to the Launch Pad to manually confirm the configuration the main purge valve was in and open it if necessary. For that, the team would have needed to access the Mobile Launch Platform after entering the Blast Danger Area.
While the Launch Team was addressing this problem, Range Controllers experienced a Signal Interference issue coming from a location south-east of the Launch Complex. US Air Force Members at the Morrell Operations Center started to investigate the issue. The Eastern Range is controlled by the Air Force and is needed for all aspects of Vehicle Communication. Range Controllers worked the issue and made evaluations to identify the source of the signal interference.
Finishing its problem assessment, the Launch Team decided to scrub Thursday’s Launch Attempt. This will enable engineers to enter the Launch Pad safely after propellant tanks have been drained. Procedures to re-configure the Launch Vehicle and drain propellants got underway immediately after the scrub was called. This will also allow US Air Force Members to evaluate the signal interference problem and resolve it for the next Launch opportunity. The next launch attempt for the Atlas V Rocket and the AEHF-2 Satellite will be made on Friday with the 2-hour launch window opening at 18:42 GMT.

Atlas V rolled to Launch Pad in Preparation for Liftoff

May 2, 2012

Picture
Photo: United Launch Alliance
Photo Gallery: Atlas V Rollout
_ In Preparation for Countdown and Launch, an Atlas V 531 Rocket with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite 2 under its Payload Fairing was rolled from its Vertical Integration Facility to Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Wednesday.
Making the first 550 meters of its trip to Supersynchronous Transfer Orbit, the Mobile Launch Platform with the Atlas V on top of it started moving just after 10am local time- 14:00 GMT. Two trackmobiles were used to transport the vehicle to the Launch Pad. The trip from the VIF to the launch site took about 30 minutes and was completed at 14:40 GMT. Once arriving at the Launch Pad, a busy day-and-a-half of launch preparations got underway as the vehicle was secured at its launch site. Electrical connections will be made and propellant and communication lines will be connected. Later, the trackmobiles will be removed and pad close-outs will start to set the stage for countdown operations on Thursday. The Atlas V will spend a quiet night at the Launch Complex before the launch team reports to console early in the morning local time. Countdown operations will begin 7 hours before launch with Launch Vehicle Activation.
_Subsequently, initial checks of the Atlas Launcher will be made and the Launch Area will be cleared off all personnel. At T-2 Hours, the tanking process will start as the first stage is filled with Liquid Oxygen and the second stage is loaded with Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen – going through a complex tanking procedure involving slow and fast propellant fill followed by topping and replenish. While the countdown continues, final systems checks will be performed by the Launch Team. Final Flight Software will be loaded into the flight computers aboard the Atlas and countdown clocks will stop at the T-4-Minute Mark to give teams a chance to address any open issues and conduct the final GO/No GO Polls setting the stage for Launch. As clocks start ticking down from T-4 Minutes, final vehicle configurations will be made as part of the Automated Sequence to place the vehicle in its launch configuration. Liftoff is planned to occur at the opening of Thursday’s two-hour Launch Window at 18:46 GMT. A complete Atlas V Countdown Timeline is available here.
The weather forecast for Thursday’s Launch Attempt has improved and meteorologists are now predicting an 80% chance of favorable weather during the launch window. Primary concerns are Cumulus Clouds and Anvil Clouds that could violate launch weather criteria. Forecast models show two layers of clouds for Thursday, a low layer of scattered Cumulus Clouds and a broken layer of Cirrus Clouds at 9 Kilometers. Also, a small chance of showers in the vicinity remains. Winds at ground level will be well within launch weather criteria. “Easterly winds in the low to mid-levels of the atmosphere will result in a coastal shower threat. Upper level Northwesterly winds will act to transport any anvil cloud from the disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico back toward the East coast. Surface winds expected to persist from the East-southeast with gusts in the mid to upper teens,” the official forecast said. In case of a 24-hour launch delay to Friday, conditions essentially stay the same and there is only a 20% chance of weather rule violations.


Photo Gallery: Altas V poised for Launch

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Photo: United Launch Alliance


Launch Readiness Review completed; Atlas V ready for Rollout

May 1, 2012

_ United Launch Alliance Managers met Tuesday morning to conduct the AEHF-2 Launch Readiness Review. All Systems of the Atlas V 531 Launch Vehicle and the AEHF Satellite were reviewed and open items that have to be addressed before launch were discussed by the team before the decision to Roll the Vehicle to the Launch Complex and press into Countdown Operations was made.
The Launcher will be moved to Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Wednesday for final launch preparations and the Launch Countdown. The Rollout is planned to begin at 10am local time – 14:00 GMT. Two trackmobiles will be used to move the Mobile Launcher and the Atlas V with its Payload to the Launch Pad. Rollout will take approximately 30 minutes. When arriving at the Pad, the structure will be secured and electrical connections will be made. Also, propellant and communication lines will be connected. Later, the trackmobiles will be removed and pad close-outs will start to set the stage for countdown operations on Thursday. The 2-hour launch window opens at 18:46 GMT. Currently, a launch at the opening of the window is being targeted.
Meteorologists have issued a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions during the two-hour launch window on Thursday. Primary concerns for Thursday’s attempt are Cumulus Clouds and Anvil Clouds. Forecast models show two layers of clouds for Thursday, a low layer of scattered Cumulus Clouds and a broken layer of Cirrus Clouds at 9 Kilometers. Also, a small chance of showers in the vicinity remains. Winds at ground level will be well within launch weather criteria. In case of a 24-hour launch delay to Friday, conditions essentially stay the same and there is only a 30% chance of weather rule violations.
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Photo: United Launch Alliance

Final Launch Preparations for next ULA Mission underway

April 24, 2012

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Image: United Launch Alliance
_ United Launch Alliance is making final Preparations for the company’s next Launch from the US East Coast. An Atlas V 532 Launch Vehicle will launch from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to deliver the Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite 2 to its desired Supersynchronous Orbit. Launch is currently planned for May 3, 2012 during a two-hour launch window opening at 18:46 GMT.
The Launch Campaign started on February 23, 2012 with the Arrival of the Atlas V Launcher and its Centaur Upper Stage at Cape Canaveral. In early March, Launch Vehicle integration started at the Launch Complex inside the Vertical Integration Facility. The Core Stage of the Vehicle was hoisted and installed on its mobile Launch Platform. Afterwards, the three Solid Rocket Boosters were attached to the Common Core Booster. The 531 Configuration of the Atlas V Rocket is outfitted with three Solid Rocket Motors to provide extra boost during the first 92 seconds of flight. For a detailed overview of the Atlas V Launcher and all of its components, visit the Launch Vehicle Data Site. While SRM installation was taking place, technicians installed interstage equipment atop the Core Stage to set the stage for Centaur Integration. Centaur Integration was completed in late march and vehicle testing began before the Launcher was rolled to the Launch Pad for its Wet Dress Rehearsal. Rolling out on April 11, 2012, the Atlas V Rocket and Launch Controllers participated in a full Countdown Rehearsal that included fueling of the Propellant Tanks as part of pre-launch checkouts.
_The countdown exercise took place on April 12. Launch Clocks kept ticking until a few seconds before Main Engine Start when the Countdown was aborted as planned for the Wet Dress Rehearsal giving Launch Controllers a chance to practice hold and recycle operations. Afterwards, the Cryogenic Propellants were drained and the Atlas V was rolled back to the Integration Facility the next day. The Wet Dress Rehearsal was completed successfully and no problems with the Launcher were found.
_ The next major pre-launch milestone was the integration of the Payload atop the Atlas V Rocket. The AEHF 2 Spacecraft was delivered to the Space Coast on February 13 for final pre-launch checkouts, fueling and integration. Inside the Astrotech Facility in Titusville, Florida, the Satellite was checked thoroughly before starting hazardous processing. When all Pre-Launch Operations were complete the Satellite was installed on its Payload Adapter and the Payload Fairing was installed around the Spacecraft. The Fairing will protect the 1-billion US$ Satellite while waiting for launch atop the Atlas Rocket and during the first portion of the Ascent when Thermal and Aerodynamic Loads would exceed spacecraft limits. After Payload Fairing Encapsulation, the stack was moved to Space Launch Complex 40 for Payload Integration. The transfer was conducted overnight to take advantage of better weather conditions. When the payload arrived at the Vertical Integration Facility, technicians attached the lifting sling to hoist the payload off the ground and place it on top of the Launcher. Taking its precise position on top of the Centaur Upper Stage, the Payload was attached to the Atlas V before electrical connections were made and communication ways were put in place. This also marks the start of integrated testing. The Combined Systems Test is planned for this week and will put all systems of the Launcher and Spacecraft through a Flight Simulation to ensure all Commands that are being issued by onboard systems are correct. After extensive reviews of data acquired during the test, the Atlas V Launcher will be cleared for flight. The Rocket is planned to be rolled to the Launch Pad one day prior to blastoff for final configurations and close-outs as well as the start of countdown operations.
Launch is currently planned for May 3 after a slot in the eastern Range became available because the SpaceX Dragon C2/3 Launch was delayed to NET May 7. The Atlas V has daily Launch Windows with a duration of 2 hours. Window Open Time on May 3 is 18:46 GMT.
This will be the 60th United Space Alliance Flight since the company’t formation in 2006. It will be the 30th Atlas V flight since its inaugural mission in 2002.
Picture
Photo: Lockheed Martin
Photo Gallery: AEHF-2 Payload Integration
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