Posted on 04/22/2010 4:29:20 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus
Atlas V X-37B OTV Cape launch set for April 22
Release Number: 040410
4/21/2010 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla -- The 45th Space Wing is set to launch an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle from Space Launch Complex 41 on April 22, 2010. The rocket will carry the Air Force's first X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV). The launch window for this mission is 7:51-8:02 p.m.
The X-37B will provide a flexible space test platform to conduct various experiments and allow satellite sensors, subsystems, components and associated technology to be efficiently transported to and from the space environment where it will need to function.
Accredited media representatives interested in covering the launch from the Kennedy Space Center News Center must report by April 22, at 6 p.m. to the parking lot at the KSC Media Services Press Accreditation Building on State Road 3, for badging and escort. Media representatives must provide proper credentials and two forms of identification, at least one with a photograph. Drivers must also ensure they have a current valid driver's license, motor vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
Notes:
1. Remote camera set-up: Media representatives interested in setting up remote cameras must report to the parking lot of Space Florida/SpaceX, near the CCAFS front gate, on April 22, at 11:30 a.m. for badging and escort to the SLC-41 area. Mike Rein and Mike Woolley of ULA Communications plan to meet and escort media. For further information, contact Mr. Rein at (321) 693-6250.
2. Live satellite feed information for broadcast:
Atlas AV-012 OTV-1: Satellite Coordinates: April 22
(ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME)
TEST SIGNALS BEGIN - 7:15 P.M.
BROADCAST OPEN - 7:32 P.M.
SATELLITE - Galaxy 19
TRANSPONDER - G19C-20
BAND - C-band Analog
ORBITAL POSITION - 97 degrees
CARRIER - INTELSAT
BANDWIDTH - 36 MHz
DOWNLINK FREQ - 4100 MHz (Horizontal)
5. Webcast: The launch can be viewed via Webcast at: http://www.ulalaunch.com
Note: Dates and times of all launches are subject to change.
Contact: 45th Space Wing Public Affairs, (321) 494-5933 or 45swpa@patrick.af.mil
big bump
to launch an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch VehicleIf it has evolved, why isn't it called an Atlas VI? ;')
Because it is still evolving. Rocket evolution is never-ending process.
Funny, I always thought it was intelligent design.
Right. It (the Atlas) has “evolved” since I built a model of it back in 1966....
By the way, it’s based on technology older than Mercury, the B-52, and V-2 (er, Army Jupiter) missile.
You’d think NASA could have developed something newer since a 1958-1960 ICBM first flew. Now, I’ll contrast that with what our engineers and NASA’s EREAL engineers developed in the 1960’s when they were really “rocket scientists” .... and all that implied.
The Atlas really shows more that the US government hasn’t thought of anything new/bought anything new in the last 50 years.
You would think that since it was intelligently designed they would call it the
Atlas V Intelligently Designed Expendable Launch Vehicle.
You're being silly.
Comparing the Atlas V of today to that of 1950 is like comparing a modern Ford F150 pickup to a 1950 Ford F150 pickup.
The name is the same, but that's about all that's the same.
It has Russian RD-180 engines being used in them since about 2002.
Nice launch. The rumble went on for a long time.
There’s not really anything left of the old Atlas in an Atlas V except the name “Atlas”. The Atlas 2 was the last of the family to retain elements of the original Atlas. The Atlas III went to the Russian RD-180 engines, and from that point on it’s pretty much just been a name.
The newer Atlases go something like this:
Atlas I—developed from the Atlas G, incorporating improvements from other “classic” Atlases and some improvements of its own.
Atlas II—Uprated MA-5 engine (MA-5A), stretched tanks. Old vernier engines replaced with new hydrazine models.
Atlas III-practically clean sheet design around RD-180s. Still uses balloon tanks, last vestige of classic Atlas in it. This model didn’t really draw any customers.
Atlas IV-there is no Atlas IV. Maybe there was one on paper at one point, but only the III and V saw daylight.
Atlas V-RD-180s with new tanks in a clusterable design. Nothing really left of the old Atlas but the nameplate.
“various experiments and allow satellite sensors, subsystems, components and associated technology”
It is a secret mission.
Speculation?
How about technology that permits hearing people’s conversations on earth?
Hmmn. Russian engines under a US “nameplate”, eh?
Thanks for the update.
The Russians couldn’t sell the rockets without a Western partner. They started working with Aerojet about 15 years ago to get them in usable condition by our standards, and have Aerojet do the testing to prove it. They were workable engines, though the condition of them was initially pretty shocking by our standards.
Since Titan is history, it’s worked out well for Aerojet. PWR is still selling RJ-10s, though having to do two types of it (one for Delta IV, another for Atlas V), which drives up their costs.
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