|
|
WGS4 - Launch Updates
|
WGS4 in Orbit after successful Delta IV Mission
|
January 20, 2012
|
A United
Launch Alliance Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) Rocket carrying the Wideband Global
SATCOM 4 Satellite lifted off from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station, Florida, at 00:38 GMT Friday (7:38pm EST on Thursday).
|
Liftoff
occurred at the opening of a 93-minute launch window that was available for
making a successful orbital insertion. The countdown that started more than 10
hours prior to Liftoff proceeded flawlessly without any major issues. Launch
Weather was also very well within limits which led to an on-time liftoff of the
Delta Launch Vehicle.
Launch Vehicle Performance was nominal. Launching with four strap-on solid Rocket Boosters, this configuration of the Delta IV is the largest Medium Version of the Rocket that is available. All Boosters were ignited at T-0 and provided an additional boost for the first 93 seconds of flight before burning out and separating from the vehicle in a staged fashion. The Core stage and its RS-68 engine performed flawless as well, bringing the vehicle out of the atmosphere before separating from the stack. The second stage made two burns, one large 16-Minute Burn to place the vehicle in a preliminary orbit of approximately 183 by 6,886 Kilometers (100 x 3,717nm). A short coast phase followed. The second burn of the upper stage had a duration of just over 3 minutes and delivered the vehicle into a Supersynchronous Transfer Orbit of 439 by 66,860 Kilometers (237 x 36,100nm). Spacecraft Separation was by the book and WGS4 is now on its own – getting ready to start a long duration mission serving the US Air Force. On tap for WGS4 is the firing of its apogee motor to put it into its final and operational orbit. A period of checkouts and commissioning will be performed before the satellite starts nominal on-orbit operations providing communication services. Today’s Launch marked the 18th Delta IV Rocket Flight – it was only the second flight of the Medium+ (5,4) version. In total for the Delta Program dating back to 1960, this was the 358th launch. It was the 11th Delta IV Launch operated by United Launch Alliance. |
Photo : Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance
|
Launch Video
The Wideband Global Satcom 4 Satellite will be the first in a series of improved satellites providing communications for military controlled unmanned drones used for surveillance and intelligence gathering operations around the globe. Other secure communications are also provided by the Vehicle. WGS4 is the first in a series of satellites with improved bandwidth entering a satellite constellation already consisitng of three WGS Satellites. The Spacecraft weighs around 13,000 pounds at liftoff and will be released into geosynchronous orbit from wehere it will cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It provides steerable spotbeams of bandwidth that can reach any position within the satellite’s field of view. Ka- and X-Band Frequencies are supported by the Spacecraft which also provides a capability to convert signals from one to the other with its onboard systems. WGS4 provides unprecedented data rates of 2.1 to 3.6 Gbps. In its on-orbit configuration, the satellite will power its systems with two solar arrays spanning 134 feet (41 meters) once unfurled in orbit. 19 coverage areas are provided by the satellite’s spotbeams. WGS is manufactured by Boeing and is based on the flight-proven 702HP-design. This satellite design has highly efficient xenon-ion propulsion systems as well as deployable thermal radiators. The WGS constellation is replacing the Defense Satellite Communications System which has been operating for several decades and is phasing out as the new vehicles are entering their respective orbital positions.
Countdown Operations in full Swing in Preparation for Launch
|
January 19, 2012
|
|
Terminal
Countdown Operations for the Launch of a Delta IV Rocket and WGS4 are underway
at Launch Complex 37 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Launch Day kicked off early today with final launch complex and vehicle closeouts before the large service structure, that was needed for Launch Vehicle Assembly and Protection, was retracted – exposing the Delta IV Medium+ Rocket that was awaiting final countdown preparations. The Launch Team has been on console for several hours when a weather briefing was given to them. Weather remains 95% GO for Launch tonight. Over several hours, teams at the launch pad were busy securing the complex in preparation for launch area evacuation that has to be complete before hazardous countdown operations commence. Polls of the Launch Team were conducted just before 19:00 GMT (2pm EST) and a GO for Tanking Operations was given. Around that time, Launch Vehicle Powerup and initial checks were completed – revealing that the launcher was in good condition and in readiness for Tanking and Liftoff. Payload Teams have verified that WGS4 is also performing as planned. At 19:08 GMT, the Terminal Countdown Sequence started and with that, tanking got underway as well. At first, Chilldown Procedures on the Liquid Hydrogen Systems were performed that took several minutes to complete, before actual LH2 Tanking began. Liquid Oxygen System Chilldown commenced shortly thereafter before Oxygen was allowed to flow into the Launcher’s Tanks. |
Photo: ULA
|
Second Stage Fueling will begin later in the coutndown to complete the complicated tanking process of the Rocket. At this point, the tanking process is progressing on
schedule without any major problems. The Countdown will enter one final
built-in hold at the T-4 Minute Mark when the final GO/No GO Decision will be
made by the launch team.
Liftoff is still targeted for the opening of today’s 93-Minute Launch Window at 7:38pm local time (00:38 GMT on Friday). Teams are not working any issues that could prevent an on-time liftoff.
The large Delta IV Rocket will launch from Florida for a nightly Liftoff – initially ascending vertically and racing to the sky before starting a Pitch and Yaw Maneuver to align itself to its pre-programmed flight path. The Rocket will leave the Space Coast on a 101-Degree Flight Azimuth – breaking the sound barrier in under 36 seconds. Maximum Dynamic Pressure on the Vehicle occurs at 50 seconds into the flight. Four strap-on Solid Rocket Motors will power the Launch Vehicle along with its RS-68 Core Stage Engine. These boosters will burn out at T+1:33 before being jettisoned in pairs 2.4 seconds apart beginning at T+1:40. Once the vehicle is out of the dense portion of Earth’s atmosphere, the Payload Fairing that protects the Payload from dynamic and acoustic loads over the first few minutes of flight, separates from the vehicle – exposing the WGS4 satellite. Main Engine Cutoff occurs at about 4 Minutes into the Flight and Stage Separation follows shortly after that and Stage two resumes powered flight. This stage will make two engine burns to deliver the spacecraft into its desired orbit of 382.4 by 58,110 Kilomters (237.8 x 36,108mi) with an Inclination of 24 Degrees. Spacecraft Separation is planned for T+40:42. When this is complete, the launcher’s mission is not over yet as the second stage has to make maneuvers to avoid recontacting the satellite and to deplete its propellant tanks. 79 Minutes after launch, the Delta IV Mission will be officially complete and WGS will be in a Supersynchronous Transfer Orbit, ready for on-orbit operations.
For a detailed timeline of today’s launch and the vehicle’s ground track, visit our Ascent Info Site.
United Launch Alliance will provide a live webcast of the launch starting 20 Minutes before Liftoff at 00:18 GMT on Friday (7:18pm EST today).
Liftoff is still targeted for the opening of today’s 93-Minute Launch Window at 7:38pm local time (00:38 GMT on Friday). Teams are not working any issues that could prevent an on-time liftoff.
The large Delta IV Rocket will launch from Florida for a nightly Liftoff – initially ascending vertically and racing to the sky before starting a Pitch and Yaw Maneuver to align itself to its pre-programmed flight path. The Rocket will leave the Space Coast on a 101-Degree Flight Azimuth – breaking the sound barrier in under 36 seconds. Maximum Dynamic Pressure on the Vehicle occurs at 50 seconds into the flight. Four strap-on Solid Rocket Motors will power the Launch Vehicle along with its RS-68 Core Stage Engine. These boosters will burn out at T+1:33 before being jettisoned in pairs 2.4 seconds apart beginning at T+1:40. Once the vehicle is out of the dense portion of Earth’s atmosphere, the Payload Fairing that protects the Payload from dynamic and acoustic loads over the first few minutes of flight, separates from the vehicle – exposing the WGS4 satellite. Main Engine Cutoff occurs at about 4 Minutes into the Flight and Stage Separation follows shortly after that and Stage two resumes powered flight. This stage will make two engine burns to deliver the spacecraft into its desired orbit of 382.4 by 58,110 Kilomters (237.8 x 36,108mi) with an Inclination of 24 Degrees. Spacecraft Separation is planned for T+40:42. When this is complete, the launcher’s mission is not over yet as the second stage has to make maneuvers to avoid recontacting the satellite and to deplete its propellant tanks. 79 Minutes after launch, the Delta IV Mission will be officially complete and WGS will be in a Supersynchronous Transfer Orbit, ready for on-orbit operations.
For a detailed timeline of today’s launch and the vehicle’s ground track, visit our Ascent Info Site.
United Launch Alliance will provide a live webcast of the launch starting 20 Minutes before Liftoff at 00:18 GMT on Friday (7:18pm EST today).
Delta IV and WGS complete Flight Readiness Review
|
January 18, 2012
|
The Delta
IV Rocket and the WGS4 Satellite have passed the Flight Readiness Review that
was conducted earlier today. Mission Managers from both, Boeing and United Launch
Alliance, met to discuss all systems and open work that has to be taken care of
prior to starting the countdown.
Teams are now working towards beginning the Countdown on Thursday for a Launch on Friday. The Launch window opens at 00:38 GMT (7:38pm EST on Thursday) and extends for 93 Minutes.
One of the first major events taking place on Thursday is the retraction of the large service structure that should be completed at 15:00 GMT. At 18:30 GMT, a weather briefing will be given to the Launch Team that then decides wether to start fueling the vehicle. Should a GO for tanking be issued, the terminal countdown would pick up with the lengthy operations associated with fueling the launch vehicle.
Currently, meteorologists are expecting weather conditions to be favorable. A 95% Chance of good conditions during the launch window has been issued. Ground Winds are the only concern. Winds are expected to peak to 12 knots. Stratocumulus clouds between 3,000 and 4,000 feet are expected to be present during the launch window, but will not be a concern for launch. Temperatures are expected to be in the 60°F frame. Should the launch be delayed for some reason, chances of weather prohibiting launch are 10% and 20% for a 24-hour and 48-hour turn-around.
Everything is on track for liftoff at the beginning of the window. This will mark the second flight of the Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) with a larger nose-cone to accommodate the WGS Satellite. Ascending on a 101-degree flight azimuth, the launcher will deliver the payload into a 382.4 by 58,110-Kilomter Supersynchronous Transfer Orbit (237.8 x 36,108mi) with an Inclination of 24 Degrees. An Apogee Motor on WGS will place the Satellite in its operational orbit.
Teams are now working towards beginning the Countdown on Thursday for a Launch on Friday. The Launch window opens at 00:38 GMT (7:38pm EST on Thursday) and extends for 93 Minutes.
One of the first major events taking place on Thursday is the retraction of the large service structure that should be completed at 15:00 GMT. At 18:30 GMT, a weather briefing will be given to the Launch Team that then decides wether to start fueling the vehicle. Should a GO for tanking be issued, the terminal countdown would pick up with the lengthy operations associated with fueling the launch vehicle.
Currently, meteorologists are expecting weather conditions to be favorable. A 95% Chance of good conditions during the launch window has been issued. Ground Winds are the only concern. Winds are expected to peak to 12 knots. Stratocumulus clouds between 3,000 and 4,000 feet are expected to be present during the launch window, but will not be a concern for launch. Temperatures are expected to be in the 60°F frame. Should the launch be delayed for some reason, chances of weather prohibiting launch are 10% and 20% for a 24-hour and 48-hour turn-around.
Everything is on track for liftoff at the beginning of the window. This will mark the second flight of the Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) with a larger nose-cone to accommodate the WGS Satellite. Ascending on a 101-degree flight azimuth, the launcher will deliver the payload into a 382.4 by 58,110-Kilomter Supersynchronous Transfer Orbit (237.8 x 36,108mi) with an Inclination of 24 Degrees. An Apogee Motor on WGS will place the Satellite in its operational orbit.
Launch Vehicle Configuration
Photo: United Launch Alliance
Delta IV & WGS4 complete Integrated Systems Test
|
January 11, 2012
|
|
After last
week's Rollout of the Payload and successful integration of the WGS4 Satellite
enclosed in its protective payload fairing, on-pad launch preparations got
underway to set the stage for an on-time launch of the Delta IV Rocket on
January 19.
The Integrated Systems Test was performed by the Launch Team. This full-duration simulation of the Launcher’s mission verified that the complete stack is in proper condition and all electrical connections are in place. The simulation is one of the biggest milestones once the payload is at the launch pad and mated to its Rocket. Yesterday, the Rocket was filled with its attitude control propellants. The procedure was completed as planned. Final Launch Preparations include vehicle and structural closeouts as well as more tests of the Launcher’s subsystems. These operations are underway for the rest of the week and will pick up after the weekend before countdown operations start later in the week to complete the final steps prior to launching the vehicle. |
|
Payload rolled out, Final Preparations underway
|
January 5, 2012
|
United Launch Alliance
is starting the final Preparations for the first ULA Launch of 2012. WGS 4 is
set to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on January 19 in a 93-minute Launch Window opening at 7:38pm EST (00:38 GMT on the 20th).
|
Processing of the Delta IV Rocket that will launch the WGS4 Satellite started in late 2011 with the assembly of the Rocket at Launch Complex 37 kicking off in October. WGS4 was delivered to Florida in mid-November 2011 for final processing and fueling procedures. All that work was completed just before the Holidays, when the Payload was enclosed in its protective Payload Fairing. The Payload Composite was rolled out in the night-hours of Wednesday, January 4. At about 3:30am EST (8:30 GMT), the Satellite arrived at the Launch Site where it was hoisted up and positioned atop the second stage of the Launch Vehicle. Electrical Connections were made and the Payload was mated to its launcher. With the Rocket Stack now complete, extensive integrated testing and full-duration Mission Simulations can kick off to make the final preparations for launch.
To Launch the large payload, the Delta Rocket will blast off in its biggest ‘medium’ configuration, designated Delta IV Medium+ (5,4). In this configuration, the Rocket can place 13,360 Kilograms (29,440lbs) of Payloads into Low Earth Orbit and 7,020kg (15,470lbs) into Geostationary Transfer Orbit. |
Photo: Boeing
|
Satellite Information
WGS 4 – The Wideband
Global Satcom 4 Satellite will be the first in a series of improved satellites
providing communications for military controlled unmanned drones used for
surveillance and intelligence gathering operations around the globe. Other
secure communications are also provided by the Vehicle. WGS4 is the first in a
series of satellites with improved bandwidth entering a satellite constellation already consisitng of three WGS Satellites. The Spacecraft weighs around
13,000 pounds at liftoff and will be released into geosynchronous orbit from
wehere it will cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It provides steerable spotbeams
of bandwidth that can reach any position within the satellite’s field of view.
Ka- and X-Band Frequencies are supported by the Spacecraft which also provides
a capability to convert signals from one to the other with its onboard systems.
WGS4 provides unprecedented data rates of 2.1 to 3.6 Gbps. In its on-orbit
configuration, the satellite will power its systems with two solar arrays
spanning 134 feet (41 meters) once unfurled in orbit. 19 coverage areas are provided by
the satellite’s spotbeams. WGS is manufactured by Boeing and is based on the flight-proven
702HP-design. This satellite design has highly efficient xenon-ion
propulsion systems as well as deployable thermal radiators. The WGS constellation is replacing the
Defense Satellite Communications System which has been operating for several
decades and is phasing out as the new vehicles are entering their respective orbital positions.
