GSSAP1, GSSAP2, ANGELS - Delta IV-M - Canaveral SLC-37B - 28.07.2014 23:28 UTC

[Sharicoff]

http://space.flatoday.net/2012/01/cape-gets-six-of-nine-launches-in-15b.html

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Cape Gets Six Of Nine Launches In $1.5B Pact

Six of nine critical national security missions to be launched by United Launch Alliance under a $1.5 billion Pentagon contract will blast off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the 2014 timeframe, the company said today.

The payloads launching from the Cape include:

++ AFSPC-4 on a Delta IV from Space Launch Complex 37.

++ The Navy's Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-3) on an Atlas V from Space Launch Complex 41.

++ National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) L-33 on an Atlas V at SLC-41.

++ National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) L-67 on an Atlas V from SLC-41.

++ GPS IIF-10 on a Delta IV from SLC-37.

++ Another GPS on Delta IV from SLC-37.

Payloads blasting off from Vandeberg Air Force Base in central California include:

++ Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP-19) on an Atlas V from Space Launch Complex 3.

++ National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) L-39 on an Atlas V from SLC-3.

++ Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP-20) on a Delta IV from Space Launch Complex 6.

"United Launch Alliance (ULA) is pleased to support the United States Government request in authorizing the launch services for nine critical national security satellites," the company said in a statement.

"This order represents a continuation of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) launch services support ULA has provided for the government over the last five years. Since its inception in December 2006, ULA has successfully launched 56 times including missions for national security, NASA and commercial customers. We remain committed to providing safe, reliable, cost-effective missions to support the warfighters throughout the world that defend our freedom."

[Sharicoff]

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF AUGUST 21, 2010 FBO #3192
SOLICITATION NOTICE

V -- AFSPC-4 MISSION - SMC 10-57 AFSPC-4 MISSION

Notice Date
    8/19/2010
     
Notice Type
    Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
     
NAICS
    336419 — Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
     
Contracting Office
    Department of the Air Force, Air Force Space Command, SMC - Space and Missile Systems Center, 483 North Aviation Blvd, El Segundo, California, 90245-2808
     
ZIP Code
    90245-2808
     
Solicitation Number
    SMC10-57
     
Archive Date
    9/21/2010
     
Point of Contact
    Lorraine Lewis-Wilson, Phone: 310-653-3689, Yasemin Akman-Lloyd, Phone: 310-653-3345
     
E-Mail Address
    LorraineLewis-Wilson@losangeles.af.mil, yasemin.akman-lloyd@losangeles.af.mil
    (LorraineLewis-Wilson@losangeles.af.mil, yasemin.akman-lloyd@losangeles.af.mil)
     
Small Business Set-Aside
    N/A
     
Description
    SMC 10-57 AFSPC-4 MISSION AFSPC-4 MISSION The United States Air Force Space and Missile System Center, Launch and Range Systems Wing is contemplating issuing a sole source request for proposal to United Launch Services L.L.C. for launch services in support of Air Force AFSPC-4 mission.
     
Web Link
    FBO.gov Permalink
    (https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFSC/SMCSMSC/SMC10-57/listing.html)
     
Place of Performance
    Address: LITTLETON, Colorado, 80127, United States
    Zip Code: 80127
     
Record
    SN02246488-W 20100821/100819234937-75baef7a1d873ebb46dd1d0657760b92 (fbodaily.com)
     
Source
    FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
    (may not be valid after Archive Date)

http://www.fbodaily.com/archive/2010/08-August/21-Aug-2010/FBO-02246488.htm

[Sharicoff]

AFSPC-4 == Air Force Space Command-4
http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4702

[Sharicoff]

У Пьетробона нашелся AFSPC-2:

Nov 12  Atlas V              AFSPC 2

Понять бы еще, где первый...

[Sharicoff]

Тьфу, зараза!

По ходу дела - это AEHF теперь так обзывается...  :? Зря запаниковал...  :oops:

[instml]

Air Force Space Command

Инспектор спутников?

[instml]

По ходу дела - это AEHF теперь так обзывается...  :?

А расшифровывается как?

[Sharicoff]

По ходу дела - это AEHF теперь так обзывается...  :?

А расшифровывается как?

Advanced Extremely High Frequency. Связник, наследник "Милстара".

[instml]

Это то да, а AFSPC-4 так и расшифровывается Air Force Space Command? Странное имя для спутника

[Sharicoff]

Это то да, а AFSPC-4 так и расшифровывается Air Force Space Command?

Именно так: http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4702
Т.е. спутник назван по имени хозяина.

[instml]

Первый запустили на Атласе, второй собираются на нем же, а четвертый на Дельте (которой версии?). К чему бы это?

[Sharicoff]

К чему бы это?

Обычная практика в ULA. С WGS'ами та же самая картина, да и с другими серийными спутниками - аналогично.

[Salo]

Продолжение дискуссии:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8184.msg850242#msg850242

Interesting discussion here. So AFSPC-4 = AEHF-4 and the earlier mysterious AFSPC-2 = AEHF-2? Any takers?

I don't buy it. AFSPC-2 was scheduled for launch on an Atlas V 541, AEHF uses a 531. Also, I have it on good authority that AFSPC-2 was cancelled, and I have also seen them both on the same manifest.

There was also a report that AFSPC-2 required that the Centaur be qualified for an extended mission, which would not be consistent with an AEHF - the launch of AEHF-1 lasted about 50 minutes from liftoff to spacecraft separation.

AEHF-2 uses an Atlas V(531), while AFSP-2 was to be a 541

BTW: does any one know, what AFSPC-1 and AFSPC-3 are?

[instml]

Rocket details laid out in Air Force's 9-launch order

Nine national security spacecraft ranging from spy platforms to navigation birds, communications satellites and weather observatories have been entrusted to Atlas 5 and Delta 4 rockets in a $1.5 billion booster purchase through the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, the Defense Department has announced.

Split between five Atlas and four Delta missions, the payloads will be launched into orbit under firm-fixed-price contracts with rocket-maker United Launch Alliance that was formed five years ago to blend Lockheed Martin's and Boeing's EELV programs into one consolidated organization to serve the government.

The Air Force pushed for ULA's creation to ensure both rocket lines remained viable and alive, while reducing overhead costs and erasing duplication in efforts between the two aerospace giants.

ULA has delivered 56 launches to date, all successfully, for Air Force, National Reconnaissance Office, NASA and commercial customers. Its 57th mission is scheduled for Thursday night from Cape Canaveral with a Defense Department communications satellite.

The Air Force sought, developed, funded and now enjoys the fruits of the EELV program that began in the 1990s as a modular system that would carry all of the military's satellite fleets -- from the smallest to gigantic craft -- into space.

Today's Atlas 5 and Delta 4 boosters replaced the previous Atlas 2, Delta 2 and Titan 4 rockets in carrying the nation's military craft, doing so successfully and cheaper than the heritage systems, officials note.

"There will be multiple EELV buys in (calendar year) 2012," according to the Space and Missile Systems Center's Launch and Range Systems Directorate.

This initial purchase of 9 boosters supports national security space requirements in Fiscal Year 2014, Air Force officials said, and a "second and larger procurement" will be made shortly as a block buy of rockets.

"The solicitation for this procurement is being prepared and is planned to be released (in the) first quarter of 2012. This solicitation will require ULA to propose a range of prices for different rates of booster deliveries over periods between 3 and 5 years. The specific duration of the procurement and number of boosters is scheduled for determination at a date after proposal receipt and evaluation," the Launch and Range Systems Directorate said.

The military's launch services structure includes oversight, insight and management of the ULA contractor workforce to ensure each of the flights are flown successfully, including the program bass at the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base and the support squadrons at the launch sites.

It's all part of the infrastructure set up to guide the various spacecraft to the right orbit that are relied upon by deployed military warfighters, intelligence analysts, policy-makers and even the millions of civilans around the world who use GPS.

While EELV critics question the costs of Atlas 5 and Delta 4, the Air Force and ULA have been working to reduce pricing by changing the military's purchasing strategy. The new plan would stabilize the situation and cut costs by enabling ULA to order materials and piece-parts in bulk to build rockets in assembly line fashion at the Decatur, Ala., factory each year instead of ordering one rocket at a time, officials contend.

ULA has about 3,600 employees spread across the country at its production facilities, engineering headquarters and launch bases.

This latest deal covers nine launches:

   An Atlas 5-401 rocket with a four-meter nose cone, no solid-fuel boosters and single-engine Centaur will launch the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 19 (DMSP 19) global weather observatory from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

   An Atlas 5-551 rocket with a five-meter nose cone, five solid-fuel boosters and single-engine Centaur will launch the third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS 3) communications satellite for the U.S. Navy from Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

   An Atlas 5-541 rocket with a five-meter nose cone, four solid-fuel boosters and single-engine Centaur will launch the National Reconnaissance Office's classified NROL-67 mission from Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

   An Atlas 5-401 rocket with a four-meter nose cone, no solid-fuel boosters and single-engine Centaur will launch the National Reconnaissance Office's classified NROL-33 mission from Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

   An Atlas 5-501 rocket with a five-meter nose cone, no solid-fuel boosters and single-engine Centaur will launch the National Reconnaissance Office's classified NROL-39 mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

   A Delta 4 Medium with a four-meter nose cone and no solid boosters will launch the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 20 (DMSP 20) global weather observatory from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

   A Delta 4 Medium+ (4,2) rocket with a four-meter nose cone and two solid boosters will launch the Air Force Space Command-4 mission from Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

   And a pair Delta 4 Medium+ (4,2) rockets with four-meter nose cones and two solid boosters will launch two missions carrying Global Positioning System navigation satellites to maintain and upgrade the orbiting constellation from Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. One flight will support the GPS Block 2F satellite program and the other will cover either 2F or the future GPS 3 series.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1201/18eelvbuy/

[instml]

А это что за зверушка? Будут ли запускать, и если будут, то когда?

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/jmaps.htm
http://www.satellitetoday.com/st/headlines/33739.html
http://www.doncio.navy.mil/CHIPS/ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=2331

JMAPS Star Catalog to Improve Satellite and Weapon Systems Accuracy

By Nicole Collins - January-March 2011

The stars will align with the launch of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Joint Milli-Arcsecond Pathfinder Survey (JMAPS) spacecraft. The program recently transitioned from an Office of Naval Research (ONR) science and technology (S&T) program to a Program Executive Office (PEO) Space Systems acquisition category (ACAT) II program within SPAWAR.

The JMAPS mission is to produce a star catalog that will enhance military operations both terrestrially and in space by improving the output and accuracy of satellites along with many of the U. S. military's strategic weapons systems. JMAPS satisfies emerging requirements to meet future needs for high accuracy sensors and weapons systems by enabling the nation to conduct operations from space that are not technically feasible with current levels of accuracy.

"Space assets and many weapons systems use star catalogs, but the data they use is steadily degrading. By re-baselining the catalog, JMAPS will improve current performance and pave the way for a host of new technologies," said Lt. Cmdr. Sam Messer, JMAPS program manager for PEO Space Systems.

Whether using imagery to plan precision strikes or monitoring developing storms to assist in humanitarian relief, U.S. military forces rely on space as an enabler. Satellites and weapons across the spectrum of warfare utilize key satellite technologies like star catalogs to ensure accuracy and position. End-users ultimately benefit from improvements in the products and capabilities JMAPS provides that are critical to today's warfighting needs.

A team of space acquisition and technical experts build the spacecraft, develop the ground processing system and manage the program. PEO Space Systems, under the guidance of Rear Adm. Liz Young, is continuing to lead and foster the unique partnership established with the United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and United States Naval Observatory (USNO). Both NRL and USNO are experts in their respective fields.

CollinsNRL has a proud heritage of spacecraft development dating back to 1960 when it launched GRAB I, the nation's first operational intelligence satellite. USNO traces its renowned history in the fields of timing, navigation and astronomy to the 1830s. Together, NRL and USNO have assembled the best team of managers, scientists and engineers to execute the JMAPS mission.

"NRL works hand-in-hand with PEO Space Systems, the program manager, and USNO, the principal investigator. The exciting part of this program is that the three organizations all bring complementary capabilities," said Mr. Paul DeLaHunt, project manager for JMAPS at NRL.

NRL's primary responsibility for the JMAPS program is to construct the satellite that has two major elements designed to support the overall mission of collecting pertinent star data. One element is the design architecture of the spacecraft bus. The second element is the lightweight, high performance, and state-of-the-art instrument constructed with silicon carbide power optics, silicon mirrors, and a silicon carbide structure to minimize mass and maximize performance. The instrument utilizes hybrid complementary metal oxide semiconductor detectors to support the necessary performance and readout capability for JMAPS. The satellite's configuration while stowed for launch measures approximately 1 meter in each dimension and weighs approximately 220 kilograms.

"Without the agility, precision attitude knowledge, precision attitude control and jitter capability created by the tightly coupled spacecraft bus and instrument, the mission would not be possible," DeLaHunt said.

Upon launch, the spacecraft JMAPS will observe stars for the next 37 months. Data are collected and processed on board the spacecraft and transmitted to the mission operations center located at the NRL Blossom Point Tracking Facility several times a day.

After the data is collected at Blossom Point, the information is transferred to the U.S. Naval Observatory's Science Operation Center, located at its Washington, D.C. facility. The Naval Observatory is responsible to the Department of Defense for the maintenance and upgrade of the nation's reference frames, including the celestial reference frame. As data arrive at USNO, mission scientists monitor the instrument, and process and analyze the data providing mission planning information back to NRL. The final step in the process is the generation and delivery of the full star catalog to the Navy, which occurs one year after the end of the flight mission.

"In addition to the Department of Defense applications for which the mission is being flown, an advanced star catalog and technology will benefit other users, including the commercial satellite community and NASA. Potential NASA applications of these new, advanced capabilities include improving the ability to navigate within our solar system and enabling the discovery of planets outside our solar system," said Dr. Bryan Dorland, principal investigator for JMAPS at the USNO.

The newly transitioned ACAT II JMAPS program is focusing on delivering a star catalog that meets the program's key performance parameters that ultimately align with SPAWAR Commander Rear Adm. Patrick Brady's goal of providing vital capabilities to the fleet while achieving the Navy's vision for information dominance.

Nicole Collins is a public affairs specialist with the SPAWAR corporate communications office.

[Pol]

Судя по: http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/rgs_dissertations/2011/RAND_RGSD291.pdf
поедет не в одиночестве

In 2013, the first ESPA standard service
launch mission will be rideshared on the AFSPC-4 launch mission.

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/angels.htm

ANGELS

ANGELS [OSC]
 
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate, based at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., awarded in 2007 a $29.5 million contract to Orbital for the ANGELS (Autonomous Nanosatellite Guardian for Evaluating Local Space) satellite program.
The ANGELS program is part of AFRL's continuing effort to develop new small satellite technologies capable of providing localized monitoring and awareness in space. The program builds on AFRL's XSS-10 and XSS-11 small satellite programs, which explored rendezvous, proximity operations and station-keeping techniques with very small satellites. Such capabilities are applicable to a broad range of defense and civilian space missions. The program will culminate in the launch of a small satellite into geosynchronous orbit, where it will perform a series of monitoring and maneuvering tests around a larger satellite to be designated at a later time.
 
Nation:    USA
Type / Application:    Technology
Operator:    Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
Contractors:    Orbital Sciences Corp. (OSC)
Equipment:    
Configuration:    
Propulsion:    
Power:    Deployable solar array, batteries
Lifetime:    
Mass:    
Orbit:    GEO

[Salo]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33420.msg1128868#msg1128868

Chris Bergin пишет:
Per L2, the next launch from SLC-37 will be the Delta IV with AFSPC-04.

"Launch scheduled > 02/27/14; launch window: 0300E-0700E (Range approved)"

[peery]

В этом году ожидается пополнение сабжей данного топика аппаратами для новых задач:

GEOSYNCHRONOUS SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS PROGRAM (GSSAP)

[Александр Ч.]

Глянул тут причину переноса EFT-1 Orion-а:

Sources indicated the Orion launch delay will make room in the Delta 4 manifest for the launch of two satellites for the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, or GSSAP, a recently-declassified program to track and survey objects populating the geosynchronous orbital arc 22,300 miles over the equator.
The existence of the covert GSSAP satellites was announced by Gen. William Shelton, head of U.S. Space Command, in February. They were scheduled to launch in late 2014 -- after the Orion test flight -- but can now be flown sooner.