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Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF ‏@NASASpaceflight  (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight)  3 ч.3 часа назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/788817517229776900)  
The NROL-79 spy satellite patch - another great one! To be launched on a ULA Atlas V 401 out of Vandenberg's SLC-3E: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41053.0 ... (https://t.co/SExcNfoieT)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/158990.jpg)

Цитировать2nd Quarter • Atlas 5 • NROL-79
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-068, will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket will fly in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Dec. 1. [Oct. 18]

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF ‏@NASASpaceflight  (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight)  12 мин.12 минут назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/818138890141925376)  
Chris B - NSF Ретвитнул(а) SpaceX
Atlas V Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) - ahead of NROL-79 - one range conflict we believe.
Chris B - NSF добавил(а),

Цитировать  (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/818137294779478016)  
 SpaceX  @SpaceX  
Launch moving due to high winds and rains at Vandenberg. Other range conflicts this week results in next available launch date being Jan 14.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF ‏@NASASpaceflight  (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight)  1 ч.1 час назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/821041433729789952)
ULA Atlas V with NROL-79 (not the next Atlas V) slipping - date under review due to second stage booster issues: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41053.msg1631038#msg1631038 ... (https://t.co/pqdRckCdQB)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156597.jpg)

ЦитироватьChris Bergin пишет:
Slipping:

ULA:
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2017) – The launch date for a United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrying NROL-79 for the National Reconnaissance Office is under review. The team is actively working to resolve Atlas V second stage booster issues discovered during vehicle testing. This additional time will allow the ULA team to ensure all systems are operating nominally prior to launch. A new launch date will be released once it is established. The Atlas V is set to lift off from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg air Force Base in California.

The Atlas V SBIRS mission remains on schedule for Jan. 19 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, pending final vehicle verifications.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF ‏@NASASpaceflight  (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight)  16 мин.16 минут назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/829805861765804032)
ULA: The Atlas V launch carrying the NROL-79 satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office is confirmed on the Western Range for March 1.

ЦитироватьЗапуск секретного спутника на борту ракеты Atlas V запланирован на 1 марта
03:10 10.02.2017
 
МОСКВА, 10 фев — РИА Новости. Запуск секретного спутника, принадлежащего национальной военно-космической разведке США, запланирован на 1 марта, сообщила осуществляющая запуск компания United Launch Alliance (ULA).
 В заявлении отмечается, что намеченный запуск станет семидесятым для ракеты-носителя Atlas V.
На ракете Atlas V, которая осуществляет запуски аппаратов для ВВС США, а также научных и исследовательских миссий НАСА, используются российские двигатели РД-180.

ЦитироватьULA Подлинная учетная запись ‏@ulalaunch  (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch)
Launch alert: #AtlasV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash) #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) confirmed on the Western Range for March 1. @NatReconOfc (https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc) http://bit.ly/av_nrol79  (https://t.co/7CCUMtbDhF)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156841.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now ‏@SpaceflightNow  (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 1 ч.1 час назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/831981771587739649)
Reconnaissance payload #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) mounted atop Atlas 5 rocket for California launch in two weeks http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/15/reconnaissance-payload-mounted-atop-atlas-5-for-california-launch-in-two-weeks/ ... (https://t.co/NYnTTmZba1) (File ULA pic)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156879.jpg)

ЦитироватьRising from the ground and into the launch pad gantry, a clandestine U.S. national security payload was fitted atop its Atlas 5 booster rocket in California today for the ride into space on March 1.

The National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-79 spacecraft, its identity and purpose marked top-secret, will be deployed by the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.

The unclassified launch time has not yet been announced.

But the last major pre-flight milestone was completed this morning as the encapsulated payload was brought to the Space Launch Complex 3-East and hoisted aboard the Centaur upper stage.

Final testing to confirm the readiness of the combined payload and rocket will be performed ahead of senior-level reviews to grant approval to proceed with the mission.

It will be the 70th flight of the Atlas 5 since 2002 and its 14th for the NRO.

The NRO is the secretive government agency responsible for the design, launch and operation of the nation's fleet of spy satellites.

The NROL-79 motto is "victory through intelligence."

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now ‏@SpaceflightNow  (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 19 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/831981771587739649)

Reconnaissance payload #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) mounted atop Atlas 5 rocket for California launch in two weeks http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/15/reconnaissance-payload-mounted-atop-atlas-5-for-california-launch-in-two-weeks/ ... (https://t.co/NYnTTmZba1) (File ULA pic)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156879.jpg)

ЦитироватьReconnaissance payload mounted atop Atlas 5 for California launch in two weeks

Спойлер

February 15, 2017 (http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/) Justin Ray (http://spaceflightnow.com/author/justin-sfn-ray/)

 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155255.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/slc3.jpg)File photo of Atlas 5 payload lift and mate at Space Launch Complex 3-East pad. Credit: United launch Alliance

[свернуть]

Rising from the ground and into the launch pad gantry, a clandestine U.S. national security payload was fitted atop its Atlas 5 booster rocket in California today for the ride into space on March 1.

The National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-79 spacecraft, its identity and purpose marked top-secret, will be deployed by the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.

The unclassified launch time has not yet been announced.

But the last major pre-flight milestone was completed this morning as the encapsulated payload was brought to the Space Launch Complex 3-East and hoisted aboard the Centaur upper stage.

Final testing to confirm the readiness of the combined payload and rocket will be performed ahead of senior-level reviews to grant approval to proceed with the mission.

It will be the 70th flight of the Atlas 5 since 2002 and its 14th for the NRO.

The NRO is the secretive government agency responsible for the design, launch and operation of the nation's fleet of spy satellites.

The NROL-79 motto is "victory through intelligence."

Цитировать...

Date/Site/Launch Time:Wednesday, March 1, 2017, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The launch period is 9:30-10:30 a.m. PST.

Webcast: Tune in to ULA's live launch day broadcast beginning at 9:30 a.m. PST.
...

ЦитироватьMarch 1 • Atlas 5 • NROL-79
Launch time: 1750 GMT (12:50 p.m. EST; 9:50 a.m. PST)
 Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-068, will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket will fly in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Dec. 1, Jan. 26 and Feb. 9. [Feb. 23]

ЦитироватьATLAS LAUNCH SCHEDULED
 30th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published February 24, 2017
 
 VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --
Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-3 on Wednesday, March 1, with a launch window opening at 9:49 a.m. PST. 
 
Col. J. Christopher Moss, 30th Space Wing commander, will be the launch decision authority.
 
"We are postured for another successful Atlas launch," said Moss. "These missions are critical, and our team is excited to be a part of something that will have a global impact."
 
The 4th Space Launch Squadron is in charge of mission assurance and safety for this launch operation. 
 
"These launches require constant communication with a widespread team, especially with the unique challenges we faced during this mission," said Lt. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, 4th Space Launch Squadron commander and Air Force Launch Director for this mission. "With the wildfires and recent rains, the Air Force team worked closely with the United Launch Alliance to ensure a successful and safe launch."

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now‏@SpaceflightNow  (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/835548011572903936)
 
The 14th Atlas 5 launch for the National Reconnaissance Office is Wednesday from California. Here's a look at the mission patches. #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156998.jpg)

ЦитироватьAtlas 5 rocket to provide spacelift for U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
 February 26, 2017 (http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/) Justin Ray (http://spaceflightnow.com/author/justin-sfn-ray/)

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155249.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/AtlasVNROL79_Art.jpg)
The NROL-79 commemorative poster. Credit: United Launch Alliance

[свернуть]

Taking a U.S. national security satellite payload into space is the primary objective of the 70th Atlas 5 booster that will be launched Wednesday.

The United Launch Alliance rocket, flying for the 35th time in its basic two-stage version with no solids, is scheduled for liftoff around 9:50 a.m. local time (12:50 p.m. EST; 1750 GMT) from California.

Although the launch window's duration is withheld, officials say the day's liftoff opportunity will close by 10:30 a.m.

Space Launch Complex 3-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base is the point of origination for the mission, known as NROL-79.

The launch customer is the National Reconnaissance Office, the government agency responsible for the country's spy satellites.

While the launch is hardly a secret, what the payload is atop the rocket is classified. The NROL-79 spacecraft's purpose and final orbit have not been disclosed.

"Things are proceeding well on the booster side, doing some of the final closeouts that we have to do, working through the weekend to make sure all of those things are finalized," Lt. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, 4th Space Launch Squadron commander and the Air Force launch director, said in a telephone interview Friday afternoon.

"Monday we have a pretty full schedule of readiness reviews. Then we go into what we call a crew sync day. Because the time of day of launch being early in the morning, we give folks (Tuesday) to get some rest and (then) go into the launch Wednesday morning."

The eight-hour countdown begins before 2 a.m. local time.

Спойлер

"We are postured for another successful Atlas launch," said Col. Christopher Moss, Vandenberg's 30th Space Wing commander and the launch decision authority. "These missions are critical, and our team is excited to be a part of something that will have a global impact."

The mission marks the 14th time an NRO payload has been launched by Atlas 5.

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155247.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/atlas5_nro_patches.jpg)The official NRO mission logos from the 14 launches on Atlas 5.

[свернуть]

For its 70th launch, the Atlas 5 vehicle will be flying in its 401 variant with a four-meter-diameter nose cone, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. It will come off the pad generating over 860,000 pounds of thrust.

"This is a pretty common 401," said Zarybnisky. "It is the 35th 401 so far, so we have a lot of experience both here and on the East Coast with this particular version of the rocket."

Originally slated to launch Dec. 1, the flight was postponed by last September's massive wildfire and electrical grid damage at Vandenberg. That held up the previous Atlas 5 launch of the commercial WorldView 4 satellite and delayed the start of the NROL-79 campaign at the pad by two months.

"We were actually able to deliver the booster during the fires. We were able to offload the booster, and there really was no issues for this mission, specifically, but the WorldView 4 mission was delayed due to the fires and the subsequent build back up of the Range and the electrical infrastructure," Zarybnisky said.

Then, a problem with the upper stage had to be rectified, causing a one-month slip.

"This mission has obviously been a little protracted than we would normally have. We moved the launch date twice — once due to the fires, that obviously drove some changes to our schedule, and then we had a technical issue during one of our wet dress rehearsals that we had to work through. We successfully fixed that issue, proved it out in a second wet dress rehearsal and we are moving forward," Zarybnisky said.

Still, the mission is occurring within three months of the launch date sel ected more than two years ago.

"Schedule is important and we try to make sure things happen on time, but at the end of the day mission success is really what we are focused on," Zarybnisky said.

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155248.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/atlas_flights_69.jpg)
The 69 previous Atlas 5 launches. Photos by Pat Corkery, Jeff Spotts, Ben Cooper, Walter Scriptunas II, James Murati, Gene Blevins, Bill Hartenstein, Alex Polimeni and Justin Ray

[свернуть]

Zarybnisky added: "The infrastructure is ready to support. We had a great WorldView 4 launch and I expect this one to go just as well."

The 4th Space Launch Squadron, a team of about 75 military and civilian personnel, is the government's on-site group that oversees the rocket preparations from the point it arrives at Vandenberg until liftoff. The engineers and missile maintenance professionals give assurance that processing and testing of the vehicle performed by United Launch Alliance goes properly.

For Capt. Albert Vasso, launch mission manager in the squadron, that means "cat-herding" issues as they arise and working across the base to efficiently resolve them.

Another squadron member, Capt. Jonathan Crow, EELV lead engineer, works with ULA during the launch campaign to make sure the rocket's technical aspects are satisfactorily met.

"I get to be on console during day of launch, give one of the go's that says 'yes, the booster is ready, the infrastructure is ready and we are ready to put this extremely important mission on orbit,'" said Zarybnisky.

The 4th Space Launch Squadron was formed in 1994 to support Titan missions at Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 4, then re-chartered in 2003 for the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 launch systems from Slicks 3 and 6.

This launch is the first of three that ULA has scheduled in a 19-day period in March fr om both coasts using Atlas 5 and Delta 4 rockets.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29931.jpg)Tory BrunoПодлинная учетная запись‏@torybruno (https://twitter.com/torybruno)
 
First coin of the March triple header. #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash). #AtlasV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157018.jpg)

[свернуть]

See earlier NROL-79 coverage (http://spaceflightnow.com/tag/av-068/).

Our Atlas archive (http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/).

ЦитироватьULA readies Atlas V for launch of NROL-79 reconnaissance satellite
               
Curt Godwin
February 27th, 2017

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/234664.jpg)
An archive photo of a ULA Atlas V 401 common core booster being lifted into the vertical position for a previous launch. Photo Credit: ULA

[свернуть]

After enduring several delays – most recently from an issue (http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/ula/launch-classified-nrol-79-mission-delayed/) with the second stage of its Atlas V launch vehicle – United Launch Alliance (ULA (http://www.ulalaunch.com/)) is set to launch the classified NROL-79 mission. 

Liftoff is planned for Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at about 9:50 a.m. PST (12:50 p.m. EST / 17:50 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

According to Spaceflight Now (http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/26/atlas-5-rocket-to-provide-spacelift-for-u-s-national-reconnaissance-office/), the exact duration of the launch window is classified, but the opportunity is expected to close by 10:30 a.m. PST.

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/234680.jpg)
Official NROL-79 mission artwork. Credit: ULA

 
The Rocket

Tasked with launching the clandestine NROL-79 payload is the reliable Atlas V (http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/hangar/atlas-v/) in its 401 configuration. By far the most common variant of ULA's Atlas V, the 401 is the base model of the Atlas.

The "401" designation signifies a 4-meter payload fairing, no supplemental solid rocket boosters, and a single RL10C-powered Centaur stage.

The Atlas common booster core is powered by a Russian-made RD-180 main engine, which provides 860,000 pounds (3,827 kilonewtons) of thrust at liftoff. This increases to 933,000 pounds (4,152 kilonewtons) as the vehicle climbs and the atmosphere thins.

The kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen-fueled engine has been a highly reliable powerplant for ULA's rocket with a notable exception of the anomaly (http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/ula/ula-releases-oa-6-launch-anomaly-report-clears-atlas-v-next-launch/) on the OA-6 (http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/orbital-sciences-corp/s-s-rick-husband-transports-inflatable-habitat-3d-printer-iss/) resupply mission to the International Space Station.

The Atlas V's second, or Centaur, stage is outfitted with a single Aerojet Rocketdyne (http://www.rocket.com/) RL10C. The Centaur holds up to 45,920 pounds (20,830 kilograms) of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant for the highly-efficient engine, and contains the flight and navigation computer for the Atlas V.

The RL10 has a long history, with a heritage dating back to the 1950s and a first flight in 1961. The RL10C-1 model flown on the Atlas V Centaur provides 22,890 pounds (101.8 kilonewtons) of vacuum thrust and has been solidly dependable throughout its Atlas V use, save for an anomaly on the NROL-30 (http://www.nro.gov/news/press/2007/2007-02.pdf) mission.

Like its OA-6 counterpart, the NROL-30 mission was still classified as a success as the payload was able to reach its intended orbit. Those aberrations aside, the Atlas V has proven itself to be a highly dependable launch vehicle with an enviable 100 percent mission success rate.
 

[свернуть]

The Mission

Sitting atop the rocket is the classified NROL-79 payload. This secretive spacecraft is designed and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO (http://www.nro.gov/)), which is a key component of the United States' intelligence apparatus. The NRO is also responsible for developing and operating space-based reconnaissance systems.

While much isn't known about the specifics of the payload, some inferences can be made based on the capabilities of the Atlas V in its 401 configuration.

The base model of ULA's workhorse vehicle can carry 14,705 pounds (6,670 kilograms) to a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) and may be a good estimate of the mass of the NROL-79 payload.

There has been information (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/noss-3.htm) suggesting NROL-79 might be a pair of Naval Ocean Surveillance Satellite (NOSS) spacecraft, much like those deployed on the previous NROL-36 and NROL-55 (http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/defense/vulcans-hammer-united-launch-alliance-lofts-secretive-nrol-55-mission/) missions.

The NOSS spacecraft, also known by the code name INTRUDER, tip the scales at approximately 14,330 pounds (6,500 kilograms) for the pair and provide signals intelligence to the NRO and U.S. Navy.

Wednesday's liftoff will mark the 70th flight of an Atlas V, and the 35th of the rocket in its base 401 configuration. It will also be the second launch of 2017 to fly out of Vandenberg Air Force Base (the first was SpaceX's Iridium-1 mission) and ULA's second Atlas V flight of the year.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now‏@SpaceflightNow  (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 45 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/836300140143083520)
 
Launch Readiness Review passed for Wednesday's Atlas 5 to execute #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) mission from California. Weather 90% GO
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157022.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185645.jpg) ULAПодлинная учетная запись‏@ulalaunch  (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/836311389539078144)
 
2 days! ULA's Launch Readiness Review complete! #AtlasV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash) will launch #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) for @NatReconOfc (https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc) on March 1 at 9:30amPST http://bit.ly/av_nrol79  (https://t.co/7CCUMtbDhF)

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157027.jpg)

[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185313.jpg) 30th Space Wing‏ @30thSpaceWing  (https://twitter.com/30thSpaceWing) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/30thSpaceWing/status/836653048478867456)
 
Atlas V NROL-79 Launch Forecast
Clear Skies
Visibility: 7 miles
Weather: None
Temperature: 53 – 58°F
Wind: 020 – 050 8 - 10 kts

Цитировать02/28 23:18
Countdown clocks will begin ticking early Wednesday morning to ready an Atlas 5 rocket to haul a covert governmental asset into orbit from a California launch pad.

The eight-hour launch countdown sequence will prepare the pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base and United Launch Alliance rocket for the NROL-79 flight.

Liftoff is targeted for 9:50 a.m. local time (12:50 p.m. EST; 1750 GMT).

The unclassified launch period extends to 10:30 a.m. The actual usable launch window ends before that, but the exact time is secret. 

This will be United Launch Alliance's 117th flight, the second this year and the company's 24th for the National Reconnaissance Office.

"These launches require constant communication with a widespread team, especially with the unique challenges we faced during this mission," said Lt. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, 4th Space Launch Squadron commander and Air Force launch director at Vandenberg.

"With the wildfires and recent rains, the Air Force team worked closely with the United Launch Alliance to ensure a successful and safe launch."

According to public warning notices, the rocket will head on a southerly track, traveling on the "coast-hugging" trajectory toward orbit to deploy its payload.

It is one of three courses typically followed from Vandenberg, ranging from coast-hugger to produce a 63-degree orbital tilt relative to the equator to sun-synchronous at 98 degrees to full retrograde at 121 degrees inclination. 

"As with many of our missions, these are really important to many customers, especially this customer," said Zarybnisky.

"There's nothing quite like watching a rocket launch, that's for sure."

Air Force meteorologists give 90 percent odds that the weather will allow the launch to occur. High pressure over Vandenberg today will produce favorable weather for launch tomorrow.

"High pressure will build in today and be firmly in place and the dominant feature for launch day. This high pressure will allow for offshore flow, clear skies and light winds over the range," the launch weather team reports.

"Early in the count, shallow low level moisture will cause a reduction in visibility with fog, but will clear out by T-0."

At launch time, the forecast calls for clear skies, 7 miles of visibility, northeasterly winds of 5 to 10 knots and temperatures between 53 and 58 degrees F.


02/28 00:41
LRR: The Launch Readiness Review today formally gave approval to proceed into countdown operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to deploy the NROL-79 payload for the National Reconnaissance Office on Wednesday using an Atlas 5 rocket.

Liftoff is targeted for 9:50 a.m. local time (12:50 p.m. EST; 1750 GMT).

A live launch webcast can be viewed on this page.

Цитировать03/01 01:15 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196055285?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
ASCENT PROFILE: (http://24liveblog.com/url?go=http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/28/timeline-atlas-5nrol-79-launch-events/) This is the launch timeline to be followed by the Atlas 5 rocket's ascent into orbit with NROL-79 on Wednesday morning. 
(http://cdn5.24live.co/images/2017/03/01/1488320117630007.jpg) (http://24liveblog.com/show?img=//cdn5.24live.co/images/2017/03/01/1488320117630007.jpg)

ЦитироватьTimeline: Atlas 5/NROL-79 launch events             
 February 28, 2017 (http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/) Justin Ray (http://spaceflightnow.com/author/justin-sfn-ray/)

 Follow the unclassified portion of the Atlas 5 rocket's ascent to space from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base launch site with the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-79 satellite payload. Launch is scheduled for Wednesday at 9:50 a.m. local time (12:50 p.m. EST; 1750 GMT).

T+00:01.1: Liftoff

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155239.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1.jpg)

[свернуть]

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 vehicle, designated AV-068, will lift off and begin a vertical rise away from Space Launch Complex 3-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

T+00:81: Mach 1 and Max Q

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155234.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/02.jpg)

[свернуть]

The Atlas rocket achieves Mach 1 some 81 seconds into the flight, then passes through the region of maximum dynamic pressure at 89 seconds.

T+04:03: Main Engine Cutoff

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155235.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/03.jpg)

[свернуть]

The RD-180 main engine completes its firing after consuming the load of RP-1 kerosene fuel and liquid oxygen supply in the Atlas first stage.

T+04:09: Stage Separation

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155236.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/04.jpg)

[свернуть]

The Common Core Booster first stage of the Atlas 5 rocket separates from the Centaur upper stage. Over the next few seconds, the Centaur engine liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen systems are readied for ignition.

T+04:19: Centaur Ignition No. 1

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155237.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/05.jpg)

[свернуть]

The Centaur RL10 engine ignites to inject the Centaur stage and NROL-79 spacecraft into orbit.

T+04:27: Nose Cone Jettison

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155238.jpg) (http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/06.jpg)

[свернуть]

The two-piece, 14-foot-diameter payload fairing that protected the NROL-79 craft during the atmospheric ascent is separated to reveal the satellite to space.

The mission now enters a news blackout to perform the orbit-shaping and payload deployment for the National Reconnaissance Office in secrecy.

After performing its mission, the Centaur will be de-orbited into the South Pacific, west of Chile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DzB6500n-E (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DzB6500n-E)

See earlier NROL-79 coverage (http://spaceflightnow.com/tag/av-068/).

Our Atlas archive (http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/).

Цитировать03/01 01:20
PHOTO GALLERY: (http://24liveblog.com/url?go=http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/28/photos-atlas-5-rocket-ready-to-fly-with-nrol-79-payload/) The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket stands atop Space Launch Complex 3-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on the eve of Wednesday's NROL-79 satellite-deployment mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Rocky, the ULA mascot, even paid a visit to the pad Tuesday morning while photographers were setting up sound-activated cameras to capture the launch.
(http://cdn5.24live.co/images/2017/03/01/1488320422731549.jpg) (http://24liveblog.com/show?img=//cdn5.24live.co/images/2017/03/01/1488320422731549.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185592.png) NRO‏Подлинная учетная запись @NatReconOfc  (https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc) 9 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/836704158388387842)
 
#NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) will carry a national security payload designed, built and operated by the NRO. Photo: Payload mating to the @ulalaunch (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch) #AtlasV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash).
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157105.jpg)

Цитировать...
Countdown operations will be initiated at 1:50 a.m. local time, eight hours ahead of the planned 9:50 a.m. liftoff. After activation of all onboard systems, Atlas V will move through a detailed checkout with particular focus on electrical systems and the communications link to the rocket. The Mobile Service Gantry will be rolled back five hours prior to T-0 to enable final pad close outs to occur before Atlas V heads into tanking after the countdown comes out of a planned hold at T-2 hours.

 Over the course of a 90-minute sequence, Atlas V will receive cryogenic Oxygen and Hydrogen pumped into the first and second stage. Flying in the 401 configuration, Atlas V uses a two-stage stack with the RD-180-powered first stage loaded with 284 metric tons of rocket-grade Kerosene and Liquid Oxygen while the Centaur second stage holds nearly 21 metric tons of cryogenic propellants.

A final hold is scheduled at T-4 minutes to allow teams to catch up with any open items and assess the status of the launch vehicle, payload and western range as part of the final pre-launch poll. Ticking back from T-4 minutes, the highly choreographed countdown sequence will put Atlas V through the transition to internal power, the arming of the Flight Termination System, the pressurization of tanks and the handover of control to the vehicle's computers.

The Russian-built RD-180 engine will start breathing fire three seconds ahead of liftoff, putting out a whopping thrust of 392-metric ton force to lift the Atlas V off the ground. The two thrust chambers of the engine will individually gimbal to hold the rocket in a vertical posture for the first 17 seconds of the flight before Atlas V will begin the pitch and roll maneuver to attain its initial launch azimuth, utilizing a 'cost-hugging' trajectory, flying off-shore along the California coast line to aim for its target orbit inclined 63.4 degrees.

Passing Mach 1 around 80 seconds after liftoff, the Atlas V will continue to fire the first stage, delivering up to 422,000 Kilogram-force of thrust when heading out of the dense atmosphere. Shutdown of the RD-180 comes just after passing T+4 minutes followed six seconds later by stage separation and another ten seconds later by the ignition of the RL-10C engine of the Centaur upper stage, reaching a thrust of 10,400kgf.

Payload fairing jettison will occur swiftly after Centaur assumes control of the flight. As per the usual procedure, the mission will enter a news blackout at that point as Centaur heads on to orbit without the public watching.

To reach the expected NOSS orbit, Centaur will perform its first boost to a transfer orbit with an apogee near 1,200 Kilometers ahead of a coast to said apogee for a short second burn to bring up the perigee to 1,010 Kilometers for the separation of the NOSS pair. Centaur will then continue toward a brief retrograde burn to set up for destructive re-entry after completing one orbit around the Earth.

Satellite trackers will swing into motion after the NROL-79 payload reaches orbit, attempting to spot the newly launched satellite pair to provide final confirmation of the mission's identity. Search Elements for NROL-79 have been posted here.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow  (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 2 ч назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/836876156750213120)
 
COUNTDOWN for #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) now ticking to today's Atlas 5 launch from Vandenberg AFB in California at 9:49:51am local http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/27/av068_journal/ ... (https://t.co/Jc5BWfoXtI)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156895.jpg)

Цитироватьwith Intruder 7B, SNaP-3 ALICE (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/snap.htm), SNaP-3 EDDIE (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/snap.htm), SNaP-3 JIMI (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/snap.htm), LMRSTSat (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/lmrstsat.htm), SINOD-D 1 (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sinod-d.htm), SINOD-D 3 (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sinod-d.htm), AeroCube 5C (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/aerocube-5.htm), OCSD A (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/aerocube-7-ocsd.htm), ARC 1 (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/arc.htm), BisonSat (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/bisonsat.htm), Fox 1A (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/fox-1a.htm), PropCube 1 (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/propcube-1.htm), PropCube 3 (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/propcube-1.htm)  

ЦитироватьAtlas V prepares for 70th mission with NROL-79 from Vandenberg
March 1, 2017 by Chris Gebhardt
 
(https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Z2AFSA-630x250.jpg)
 
For its second mission of the year, the mighty Atlas V rocket will mark its 70th mission to space on Wednesday as the veteran rocket is called upon to loft the National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-79 spacecraft to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).  Liftoff is scheduled to take place from SLC-3E at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 0950 PST (1750 UTC) at the opening of a launch window that is understood to be 40 minutes in duration.
 
...
After ramping up to full thrust and a series of health checks, the hold down clamps will release and the Atlas V will liftoff at T+ 1.1 seconds.
While the exact orbital destination for NROL-79 has not been revealed, all previous NROL missions from Vandenberg have been non-GTO (Geostationary Transfer Orbit) missions to either LEO or Molniya orbits (highly elliptical, high inclination orbits with arguments of perigee of -90 degrees and an orbital period of one half of a sidereal day).
 
Given this, the NROL-79 Atlas V 401 can be expected to follow an LEO ascent profile, with the RD-180 engine producing 860,000 lbf at liftoff, a level of thrust that will gradually increase to 933,000 lbf as the vehicle breaks through Earth's atmosphere and enters the vacuum of space.
 
In its 401 configuration, the Atlas V will reach Max Q – the moment of maximum dynamic pressure and mechanical stress on the vehicle – 88 seconds after liftoff at an altitude of 11.6 km (37,970 ft) with a total Max Q of 490 psf.
Throughout the first 100 seconds of flight, the RD-180 engine will thrust at 100% of total throttle, stepping down to 95% of rated thrust from 100 seconds through 210 seconds, at which point a throttle drop off will occur as the booster maintains a 5G acceleration lim it in preparation for Booster Engine Cutoff (BECO).
 
BECO will occur just prior to Atlas/Centaur separation at the T+ 246 second mark at an altitude of ~157.6 km (~517,015 ft).
 
Ten seconds after Atlas core stage separation, the Centaur single-engine upper stage will ignite at the T+ 256 second mark.
 
Payload fairing jettison will follow at T+ 264 seconds at an altitude of 193. km (633,100 ft).
 
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/208997.png)

Once payload fairing jettison occurs, per the NRO's usual request to ULA, the live webcast will cease, and the final portion of launch operations and placement of the satellite into orbit will not be seen live.
...
 
 

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow  (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 32 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/836914638205902848)
 
Weather odds for today's Atlas 5 launch of #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) from California improve to 100% GO with clear skies, light winds http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/27/av068_journal/ ... (https://t.co/Jc5BWfoXtI)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156900.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29931.jpg) Tory Bruno‏Подлинная учетная запись @torybruno  (https://twitter.com/torybruno) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/836922926230343680)
 
Pgo at 100%. Ready to light this candle. #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash)

Цитировать03/01 15:46
A readiness poll of the team has verified all systems are GO for retraction of the gantry at Space Launch Complex 3-East this morning.

03/01 15:11  Weather forecast improves to 100% GO
A check of the current weather shows it is a clear morning at Vandenberg and there's a 100 percent chance of favorable conditions at liftoff time for the Atlas 5 rocket from California today.
There are no constraints to proceeding with mobile service tower rollback in about an hour. That will reveal the rocket to the elements, allowing the vehicle to be fueled and launched.

03/01 15:07
The mobile service tower is being jacked up in preparation to roll.

03/01 13:57
Atlas and Centaur have been powered up. Guidance system testing is next.

03/01 12:49  Countdown ticking for today's NROL-79 launch (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196056850?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
Clocks have begun ticking for today's flight by the Atlas 5 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to deliver the NROL-79 space payload into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office.
As the countdown gets started, the launch team will power up the rocket to conduct standard pre-flight tests and ready the vehicle.
Rollback of the mobile service tower from around the rocket is expected in about three hours. Once the gantry is removed, crews at the pad will make preparations to systems and equipment before the site is cleared of all personnel for fueling.
Supercold liquid oxygen begins flowing into the Centaur upper stage around 7:30 a.m., followed by the Atlas first stage. Liquid hydrogen fuel loading for Centaur will be completed a short time later.
A final 30-minute built-in hold is scheduled when clocks hit the T-minus 4 minute mark. That will give the team a chance to finish any late work and assess the status of the rocket, payload, Range and weather before proceeding into the last moments of the countdown.
Liftoff is targeted for the exact moment of 9:49:51 a.m. local time (12:49:51 p.m. EST; 1749:51 GMT).

Цитировать03/01 16:05  Tower retraction underway (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196058112?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
Rollback of the launch pad's service gantry is underway. This is a major milestone in today's countdown, getting the mobile tower retracted to uncover the Atlas 5 rocket.
The structure's internal crane was instrumental in bringing the rocket stages and payload together. And now the fully assembled Atlas 5 is being unveiled for its 70th launch, the 13th to originate from Vandenberg.

Цитироватьтавот пишет:
В этот раз как, без пассажиров ?

Цитировать03/01 16:30 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196058271?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
The 8-million-pound mobile service tower has been retracted from around the Atlas 5 rocket, revealing the 19-story-tall vehicle for liftoff at exactly 9:49:51 a.m. local time today.
The ground crews are getting the gantry's doors closed, plus finishing the final buttoning up of pad equipment before all workers clear the pad for the remainder of the countdown.

Цитировать03/01 16:50 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196058405?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
The gantry has been secured in its launch position with the doors closed.

Цитировать03/01 17:22 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196058629?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
Testing of the guidance system is complete.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836945499991261188)

Identification of NROL-79 as NOSS was possible given the mission's launch site, vehicle and unique ascent path into a characteristic orbit.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836944828587991040)

The first two NOSS generations flew in triplet formation to triangulate a ship's position, the 3rd generation uses pairs of satellites.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 10 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836944238399094784)

Introduced in 1976, NOSS is used to track the position of foreign ships and aircraft through their radio signals.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 18 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836942093096472577)

NROL-79 is the eighth mission in support of the third generation of the Naval Ocean Surveillance Satellite Program. http://bit.ly/2lSNdSo (https://t.co/5GNrDwONDv)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836948059221295105)
 
Atlas V entered countdown operations eight hours prior to the opening of the launch window, starting with vehicle power-up. #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash)

Цитировать03/01 17:34
Workers are leaving the pad area in advance of today's propellant loading and launch of the Atlas 5 rocket.

03/01 17:31 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196058722?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
In the pre-fueling weather update, conditions remain ideal at Vandenberg for a rocket launch this morning. Skies are clear, winds are light and visibility is good. Air Force meteorologists give a 100 percent chance of favorable weather at the 9:49:51 a.m. launch time (12:49:51 p.m. EST; 1749:51 GMT).

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836951852700872706)
 
This half-hour hold is dedicated to final tanking preparations, the pre-task briefing and the Go/No Go Poll by the launch team. #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash)
 
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836951755984416768)

T-2 Hours & HOLDING (L-3:00) - This is the first of two built-in holds in today's countdown to allow teams to deal with open tasks. #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185645.jpg) ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch  (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/836959149233688576)
 
The team has given the GO to begin cryogenic fueling. On track for #AtlasV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash) #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) launch at 9:50amPST. @NatReconOfc (https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc) @30thSpaceWing (https://twitter.com/30thSpaceWing)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156897.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836959551110918144)
 
The fuel tank of the Common Core Booster, loaded with Kerosene earlier, is pressurized to Step 2 pressure at the start of tanking ops.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 6 мин назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836959258902216710)

T-2 Hours & COUNTING! Clocks have resumed, Atlas V now entering tanking operations, a 90-minute process. #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) http://bit.ly/1j3Sqm0 (https://t.co/tFaoykcS36)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836961719675154432)
 
Pressurization & filling of the helium bottles aboard the Common Core Booster & Centaur is beginning at this time.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 4 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836973684296454144)
 
Liquid Hydrogen flow to Centaur has been initiated. The upper stage is loaded with 48,000 liters of the -253°C fuel.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185600.png) SpaceFlight Insider‏ @SpaceflightIns  (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightIns) 29 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightIns/status/836981753130668032)
 
T-1 hour to lift-off of the #AtlasV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash) 401 rocket ferrying #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) to orbit. #AV068 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AV068?src=hash)

Цитировать03/01 19:49  L-60 minutes and counting (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196060050?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
The 720,000-pound Atlas 5 rocket now stands fueled for flight and activities are proceeding toward a liftoff at 9:49:51 a.m. local time (12:49:51 p.m. EST; 1749:51 GMT).

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 41 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836985370025865216)
 
As part of final setups inside L-1, Atlas V receives the appropriate flight software & the fault detection system is configured for flight.

Цитировать03/01 20:17 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196060278?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks are at flight level.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185645.jpg) ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch  (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch) 4 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/836988573702324228)
 
We have just entered the final planned hold at T-4 minutes. This is a planned 30-minute hold.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185645.jpg) ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch  (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch) 43 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/836989774544130048)
 
Weather forecast for today's launch is good. How good? 100% favorable! Thanks @30thSpaceWing (https://twitter.com/30thSpaceWing)!

Цитировать(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/559069335428157440/9w91279J_bigger.jpeg) Len Wood‏ @lwood83  (https://twitter.com/lwood83) 6 мин назад (https://twitter.com/lwood83/status/836989368598327296)
 
Spectators line up on West Ocean Ave #Lompoc (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lompoc?src=hash) for #AtlasV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash) #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) launch – South Base Gate VAFB (https://twitter.com/search?q=place%3A07d9d67b93c85001)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156905.jpg)

Цитировать03/01 20:39 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196060450?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
Standing by for the final readiness check to be conducted. The launch team will be polled for a GO or NO GO to proceed with the count.

Цитировать03/01 20:43  GO for launch
The ULA launch director and NRO mission director have given the formal approvals to press onward with the countdown.

03/01 20:43 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196060482?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
All systems are reported "go" to continue with the countdown for liftoff at 9:49:51 a.m. local time (12:49:51 p.m. EST; 1749:51 GMT). The clocks will resume from this hold at 9:45:51 a.m.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29931.jpg) Tory Bruno‏Подлинная учетная запись @torybruno  (https://twitter.com/torybruno) 32 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/836995571713986561)
 
Polling is all go for final count

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight  (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/836995644636213248)
 
That's a green board.
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156902.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 32 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836996249039568901)
 
The Flight Termination System is switching to internal power, using batteries separate from those of Atlas V. http://bit.ly/2msldXb (https://t.co/3XZmicpwAl)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29931.jpg) Tory Bruno‏Подлинная учетная запись @torybruno  (https://twitter.com/torybruno) 35 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/836997271405346816)
 
All systems nominal

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836997243001585678)
 
T+1 Minute: Burning 1,150kg of propellant per second, RD-180 shows nominal parameters, chamber pressures are good. http://bit.ly/2msldXb (https://t.co/3XZmicpwAl)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29831.jpg) William Harwood‏ @cbs_spacenews  (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/836997076449968135)
 
A5/NROL79: LIFTOFF! At 12:49:51pm EST

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29931.jpg) Tory Bruno‏Подлинная учетная запись @torybruno  (https://twitter.com/torybruno) 47 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/836997784662380545)
 
Atlas has lost half its mass. All systems remain nominal

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836997701699010561)
 
T+3 Minutes: Powered flight continues as planned with Atlas V on a good trajectory and RD-180 showing nominal performance.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29931.jpg) Tory Bruno‏Подлинная учетная запись @torybruno  (https://twitter.com/torybruno) 29 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/836998139139731456)
 
clean sep

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 41 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836998196547239942)

PAYLOAD FAIRING JETTISON - The four-meter fairing made a clean separation, exposing the #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) payload for the rest of the flight.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185645.jpg) ULA‏Подлинная учетная запись @ulalaunch  (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch) 48 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/836998292043153412)

Booster engine cutoff (BECO), Atlas/Centaur separation, main engine start (MES) and payload fairing jettison confirmed #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) #AtlasV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29931.jpg) Tory Bruno‏Подлинная учетная запись @torybruno  (https://twitter.com/torybruno) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/836998260573208579)

PLF sep was clean

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live  (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/836998751990530052)

Centaur will make a long burn into an elliptical transfer orbit w/ >1,000km apogee, then half an orbit of coasting ahead of a brief re-start

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow  (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/836999247048359936)
 
LIFTOFF of Atlas 5 and #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash)!
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156903.jpg)

Цитировать03/01 21:28 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196060864?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
Liftoff of NROL-79 as seen from the Vandenberg press site. Credit: Gene Blevins/LA Daily News
(http://cdn5.24live.co/images/2017/03/02/1488392857115614.jpg) (http://24liveblog.com/show?img=//cdn5.24live.co/images/2017/03/02/1488392857115614.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185592.png) NRO‏Подлинная учетная запись @NatReconOfc  (https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/837010928956690432)
 
#NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) launched today at 850 PST. Congratulations to the team! @ulalaunch (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch), @AFSpace (https://twitter.com/AFSpace), @30thSpaceWing (https://twitter.com/30thSpaceWing), @AFSMC (https://twitter.com/AFSMC), @AF (https://twitter.com/af)
 (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C52o-LBXEAA9Ovo.jpg)

Цитироватьazeast пишет:
Аппарат, был помещен в специальную капсулу в верхней части носителя, которая отделится после того, как ракета достигнет заданной высоты.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185941.jpg) Gen. Dave Goldfein‏Подлинная учетная запись @GenDaveGoldfein  (https://twitter.com/GenDaveGoldfein) 56 мин назад (https://twitter.com/GenDaveGoldfein/status/837006574665273345)

Congrats to @ulalaunch (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch) & the #Airmen (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Airmen?src=hash) of @30thSpaceWing (https://twitter.com/30thSpaceWing), @AF_SMC (https://twitter.com/AF_SMC) & all of @AFSpace (https://twitter.com/AFSpace) on today's successful launch of #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) on an #AtlasV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash)

Цитировать03/01 22:25 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196061653?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
MISSION SUCCESS is declared in today's satellite launch performed by the Atlas 5 rocket from Vandenberg.
(ULA photo)
(http://cdn5.24live.co/images/2017/03/02/1488396353660765.jpg) (http://24liveblog.com/show?img=//cdn5.24live.co/images/2017/03/02/1488396353660765.jpg)

Цитировать03/01 22:26  ULA post-launch quotes (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196061675?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
"I am so impressed by the incredible teamwork between the NRO, U.S. Air Force our industry partners and the ULA team that resulted in today's successful launch (http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-nrol79.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+NROL-79+Payload+for+the+National+Reconnaissance+Office). The integrated mission team overcame many challenges, including delays associated with the Vandenberg Canyon Fire last year," said Laura Maginnis, vice president, Government Satellite Launch.

"Tragically, Ventura County firefighter Ryan Osler lost his life en route to assist in fighting the fire. We are honored to dedicate today's mission to Ralph and his family. Thank you to all of the men and women who worked to deliver this critical asset for our nation's security."

ЦитироватьUnited Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-79 Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., (March 1, 2017) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off from Space Launch Complex-3 March 1 at 9:50 a.m. PST. Designated NROL-79, the mission is in support of national defense.

"I am so impressed by the incredible teamwork between the NRO, U.S. Air Force our industry partners and the ULA team that resulted in today's successful launch. The integrated mission team overcame many challenges this flow including delays associated with the Vandenberg Canyon Fire last year," said Laura Maginnis, vice president, Government Satellite Launch. "Tragically, Ventura County firefighter Ryan Osler lost his life en route to assist in fighting the fire. We are honored to dedicate today's mission to Ryan and his family. Thank you to all of the men and women who worked to deliver this critical asset for our nation's security."

This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 401 configuration vehicle, which includes a 4-meter-diameter extended payload fairing. The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine, and the Centaur upper stage was powered by the Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C-1 engine.

Спойлер

This is ULA's second launch in 2017 and the 117th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

ULA's next launch is the Delta IV WGS-9 satellite for the U.S. Air Force. The launch is scheduled for March 8 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

The EELV program was established by the U.S. Air Force to provide assured access to space for Department of Defense and other government payloads. The commercially developed EELV program supports the full range of government mission requirements, while delivering on schedule and providing significant cost savings over the heritage launch systems.

With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 115 satellites to orbit that provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system.

For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch (https://www.facebook.com/ulalaunch), twitter.com/ulalaunch (https://twitter.com/ulalaunch) and instagram.com/ulalaunch (https://instagram.com/ulalaunch).

[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p200x200/14141726_10155247802079897_1176986817781108090_n.jpg?oh=a617e729f7a9ed54560aaca59fa2e4d3&oe=5941BED1)30th Space Wing (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.) (https://www.facebook.com/30thSpaceWing/?fref=nf)
10 мин (https://www.facebook.com/30thSpaceWing/posts/10155855845844897) ·

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil (http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/)
 
ATLAS LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL
 
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg successfully launched a National Reconnaissance Office payload on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V from Space Launch Complex-3 here Wednesday, March 1, at 9:50 a.m. PST.
 
Col. Chris Moss, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority.
 
"This successful launch is the result of outstanding teamwork between members of the 30th Space Wing and our partners at the National Reconnaissance Office and United Launch Alliance," said Moss. "The combined team delivered an important capability for the nation today. It was an exceptional effort."
 
The 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base is responsible for safety and launch operations from the Western Range.

Спойлер

"A launch like this requires thousands of hours of activity and practice to execute successfully," said Lt. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, 4th Space Launch Squadron commander. "Engineers and technicians from my squadron work with members of the United Launch Alliance to ensure a successful launch like this one."
 
Today's Atlas launch was originally scheduled for the fall of 2016, but was delayed in part due to the wildfires that occurred on Vandenberg. Tragically, firefighter Ryan Osler lost his life in a vehicle accident while responding to the fires. To honor his sacrifice, United Launch Alliance dedicated this launch to Ryan and his family. ULA technicians painted the following inscription on the Atlas V booster:
 
Friend, Father, and Fallen Hero
 Ryan S. Osler, Ventura County Fire Department
 1978-2016
 
Team Vandenberg is proud to honor the sacrifice of Ryan and the Osler family with today's launch.

[свернуть]

Цитировать03/01 22:48  Aerojet Rocketdyne post-launch quotes (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/221748.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/196061948?url=http://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1376504)
"National security is imperative to the safe and secure future of our country and its citizens," said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake. "It's truly gratifying to know that the propulsion systems our employees build here at Aerojet Rocketdyne are helping to keep this country – and the brave military men and women protecting it overseas – safe from harm. Congratulations to all on another successful launch."

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg)  Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow  (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow)  1 ч.1 час назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/837022355323031570)
It was the 141st successful launch in a row for Atlas, the 70th for an Atlas 5. Next up #Cygnus (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cygnus?src=hash) #OA7 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/OA7?src=hash) March 19 from Cape Canaveral
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156909.jpg)

ЦитироватьATLAS LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL
 30th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published March 01, 2017

Спойлер

(http://0s.nvswi2lb.mrswmzloonss4z3poy.nblz.ru/2017/Mar/01/2001705699/670/394/0/170301-F-HH416-001.JPG) DOWNLOAD HI-RES (http://0s.nvswi2lb.mrswmzloonss4z3poy.nblz.ru/2017/Mar/01/2001705699/-1/-1/0/170301-F-HH416-001.JPG)  /   PHOTO DETAILS (http://o53xo.ozqw4zdfnzrgk4th.mftc43ljnq.nblz.ru/News/Photos/igphoto/2001705699)
 (http://0s.nvswi2lb.mrswmzloonss4z3poy.nblz.ru/2017/Mar/01/2001705703/670/394/0/170301-F-HH416-003.JPG)
 DOWNLOAD HI-RES (http://0s.nvswi2lb.mrswmzloonss4z3poy.nblz.ru/2017/Mar/01/2001705703/-1/-1/0/170301-F-HH416-003.JPG)  /   PHOTO DETAILS (http://o53xo.ozqw4zdfnzrgk4th.mftc43ljnq.nblz.ru/News/Photos/igphoto/2001705703)
 (http://0s.nvswi2lb.mrswmzloonss4z3poy.nblz.ru/2017/Mar/01/2001705704/670/394/0/170301-F-IV217-066.JPG)
 DOWNLOAD HI-RES (http://0s.nvswi2lb.mrswmzloonss4z3poy.nblz.ru/2017/Mar/01/2001705704/-1/-1/0/170301-F-IV217-066.JPG)  /   PHOTO DETAILS (http://o53xo.ozqw4zdfnzrgk4th.mftc43ljnq.nblz.ru/News/Photos/igphoto/2001705704)
 
A National Reconnaissance Office payload on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, launches from Space Launch Complex-3, March 1, 2017, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert J. Volio/Released)

[свернуть]

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --

Team Vandenberg successfully launched a National Reconnaissance Office payload on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V from Space Launch Complex-3 here Wednesday, March 1, at 9:50 a.m. PST.

Спойлер

 Col. Chris Moss, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority.
 
"This successful launch is the result of outstanding teamwork between members of the 30th Space Wing and our partners at the National
Reconnaissance Office and United Launch Alliance," said Moss. "The combined team delivered an important capability for the nation today. It was an exceptional effort."
 
The 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base is responsible for safety and launch operations from the Western Range.
 
"A launch like this requires thousands of hours of activity and practice to execute successfully," said Lt. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, 4th Space Launch Squadron commander. "Engineers and technicians from my squadron work with members of the United Launch Alliance to ensure a successful launch like this one."
 
Today's Atlas launch was originally scheduled for the fall of 2016, but was delayed in part due to the wildfires that occurred on Vandenberg. Tragically, firefighter Ryan Osler lost his life in a vehicle accident while responding to the fires. To honor his sacrifice, United Launch Alliance dedicated this launch to Ryan and his family. ULA technicians painted the following inscription on the Atlas V booster:
 
Friend, Father, and Fallen Hero
Ryan S. Osler, Ventura County Fire Department
1978-2016
 
Team Vandenberg is proud to honor the sacrifice of Ryan and the Osler family with today's launch.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьAtlas V sends classified NROL-79 payload to space
Derek Richardson                                      March 1st, 2017

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/234698.jpg)
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifts off from Space Launch Complex-3. Designated NROL-79, the mission is in support of national defense. Photo & Caption Credit: ULA

[свернуть]

A United Launch Alliance (ULA (http://www.ulalaunch.com)) Atlas V rocket roared out of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. The NROL-79 (http://www.ulalaunch.com/atlas-v-to-launch-nrol79.aspx) mission lifted off at 9:50 a.m. PST (12:50 p.m. EST / 17:50 GMT) March 1, 2017, from Space Launch Complex 3E.
 
Laura Maginnis, vice president, Government Satellite Launch, said: "I am so impressed by the incredible teamwork between the NRO, U.S. Air Force our industry partners and the ULA team that resulted in today's successful launch. The integrated mission team overcame many challenges this flow including delays associated with the Vandenberg Canyon Fire last year.

Спойлер

"Tragically, Ventura County firefighter Ryan Osler lost his life en route to assist in fighting the fire. We are honored to dedicate today's mission to Ryan and his family. Thank you to all of the men and women who worked to deliver this critical asset for our nation's security."

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/234699.jpg) (http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Atlas-V_NROL-79_l431201772104PM63_rsz-1067x1600.jpg)
Atlas V / NROL-79 launch . Photo Credit: ULA

[свернуть]

The launch
 
The weather for the launch was almost perfect. In fact, some six hours before launch, the probability of weather violation at the time of liftoff decreased (http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/Portals/18/documents/Launch%20Files/LAUNCH%20WEATHER%201%20March.pdf?ver=2017-02-28-135444-227) to zero percent.

Using an Atlas V (http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/hangar/atlas-v/) in the 401 configuration – 4-meter fairing, zero solid rocket motors and a single engine Centaur upper stage – the vehicle lifted off from the launch pad and began to turn toward the south.

The first stage, an Atlas common booster core, was powered by a single Russian-made RD-180 engine. Consuming rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen, it produced about 860,000 pounds (3,827 kilonewtons) of thrust. That increased to 933,000 pounds (4,152 kilonewtons) as the vehicle climbed out of Earth's atmosphere and into the vacuum of space.

About 1 minute, 21 seconds into flight, as the vehicle surpassed the speed of sound, the Atlas V began to push through the region of maximum stress on the rocket known as Max Q.

About two-and-a-half minutes later, some four minutes into the flight, the Atlas common booster core was depleted of fuel and the RD-180 (http://www.astronautix.com/r/rd-180.html) cut out as planned.

At 4 minutes, 9 seconds, the Atlas common booster core separated with the Centaur upper stage. Ten seconds later, its RL10C-1 engine ignited.

Consuming liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, the RL10C-1 (http://www.rocket.com/rl10-engine) engine provided about 22,890 pounds (101.8 kilonewtons) of thrust.
It being a classified mission, at 4 minutes, 27 seconds, once the payload fairing was jettisoned to reveal the payload to space, ULA's coverage of the mission concluded at the request of the NRO.
 
The payload

Not much is known about the classified payload or what orbit it was being placed in. There has been information suggesting (http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/noss-3.htm) the rocket was carrying a pair of Naval Ocean Surveillance Satellite (NOSS) spacecraft. This would be similar to those that were deployed on NROL-36 and NROL-55 (http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/defense/vulcans-hammer-united-launch-alliance-lofts-secretive-nrol-55-mission/), the latter occurring in October 2015.

These spacecraft are also known by their code name of INTRUDER. Together, the pair weighs about 14,330 pounds (6,500 kilograms) and provide intelligence to the NRO and U.S. Navy.

This was the 70th flight of an Atlas V rocket and the 35 in the base 401 configuration since the first launch in 2002. It was the second West Coast launch of the year and ULA's second flight of 2017.

Спойлер

ULA's next launch is expected to occur on March 8, 2017, when it launches the Wideband Global SATCOM, or WGS 9, spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 37.

The satellite being launched is a communications spacecraft that will serve the U.S. military. The rocket that will be employed for this flight will be a Delta 4 Medium+ (5,4) with a five-meter fairing and four solid rocket motors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ3mcy53E1U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ3mcy53E1U)

Video Courtesy of SpaceFlight Insider

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьЧебурашка пишет:
Как же всё таки тяжко 401-ый Атлас от Земли отрывается. Вот 551 просто пулей выстреливает.

ЦитироватьЧебурашка пишет:
Как же всё таки тяжко 401-ый Атлас от Земли отрывается. Вот 551 просто пулей выстреливает.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29931.jpg) Tory Bruno‏Подлинная учетная запись @torybruno  (https://twitter.com/torybruno) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/837304278016376832)
 
It was a good day #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156923.jpg)

Цитироватьvadimr пишет:

ЦитироватьЧебурашка пишет:
Как же всё таки тяжко 401-ый Атлас от Земли отрывается. Вот 551 просто пулей выстреливает.

Для космической ракеты, чем медленнее - тем лучше.

С МБР забавно сравнить.

ЦитироватьБезумный Шляпник пишет:
Первый: USA-274, 2017-011A, SCN 42058

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/32932.jpg) Scott Tilley‏ @coastal8049  (https://twitter.com/coastal8049) 9 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/coastal8049/status/837354753709395968)

#NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) NOSS payload shows ground locking activity, i.e. it's talking to home... Visual obs confirm 2 payloads http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Mar-2017/0005.html ... (https://t.co/JR6QBHZ6EH)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156924.png)

ЦитироватьNOSS 3-8 imaged this morning, March 2 at 4h18m UT

Спойлер

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From: Alain Figer via Seesat-l
 Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2017 13:25:22 +0100
 
Hi all,

Through rather poor skies (naked eye limiting mag 3) I managed tophotograph the pass of NOSS 3-8 in Cassiopeia, using a Canon EOS 6D + 200mmteleobjective at f/2.8 (field 11° x7°).37 photos taken in 2 fields do show both satellites ; each image being of3.2 s exposure at 1250 ISO.The culmination was predicted by Calsky at 4h15m59s UT ; h: 26°8 NNW.

Using binoculars 10x50 I also detected visually the brighter component atabout mag 5- 5.5 near Iota Cas. It was already fainter near Alfa Cas due tophase angle and lower height above horizon.This suggests a possible standard magnitude of 3.5- 4 for the brightercomponent.

The leader was the fainter component, being about 1.5 - 2 mag fainter thanthe follower, what is about mag 7.

Both objects were close to each other. The bright follower was 1.7 secondlate in respect to the faint leader.

With Ted Molczan elements for 17060.82372686, I found that the brightfollower was 12.6 seconds early using the Calsky ephemeris for object2017-951-A (or 13.4 seconds early using a Guide ephemeris computed by myfriend in Meudon using the same elsets).

The main measurement was done using the appulse to HD 5408 (a brightneighbour of Gamma Cas)

Observed at : 4h18m14.7s UTCalsky prediction : 4h18m27.3s UT.O-C = -12.6 s.

My friend noticed the launch did happen at 17:49:51 according to ULA, whatis 9 s before the timing (17:50:00) that Ted Molczan had hypothetized forit.

Regards

Alain Figer48.6727° N ; 2.1282° E ; 168 m a.s.l.

[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185302.jpg) Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek  (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/837674200374652930)

The images in my previous tweet are from two consecutive passes, Faint B-object is leading.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185302.jpg) Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek  (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 2 ч.2 часа назад (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/837673941523185670)

Tracked the classified #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) payloads (a new NOSS duo, NOSS 3-  8)  from the March 1 launch tonight from #Leiden (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leiden?src=hash). Hazy sky, B-object faint.
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157146.jpg)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157147.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185302.jpg) Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek  (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 2 ч.назад (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/837674934423990274)

The #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) payloads (see photo's in previous) are currently in a 63.46 degree inclined, 1010 x 1204 km orbit. They are about 45 km apart.
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157148.jpg)

ЦитироватьFriday, 3 March 2017

Tracking NROL-79, a new NOSS duo

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/124273.jpg) (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_F0U_CFWWE/WLmDoeg9e3I/AAAAAAAAET0/9qf8mlwQZug5Uvp-Q8Zzu8DIIea4RNK8QCLcB/s1600/av_nrol79_l331201772237PM63.jpg)

Launch of NROL-79 from Vandenberg on March 1, 17:49 UT (photo ULA)

[свернуть]

On March 1, 2017, at 17:50 UT,  an Atlas V rocket was launched from Vandenberg (http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-nrol79.aspx) with a classified (double) payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO (http://www.nro.gov/)) onboard. It was the 70th Atlas V mission, and the 14th NRO launch using this launch vehicle.
 
 The two payloads were launched towards a southern direction into a 63.46 degree inclined, 1010 x 1204 km orbit. The payloads are almost certainly a new set of NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Ocean_Surveillance_System)) satellites, NOSS 3-8 (NOSS satellites are also known under the code name INTRUDER). These are SIGINT/ELINT (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signals_intelligence#Electronic_signals_intelligence) satellites operating in close, formation flying pairs. The purpose of these satellites is to geolocate radio signals, notably signals originating from ships. In order to keep their mutual distance  stable, they operate in 63.4 degree orbits, a critical inclination which keeps perigee in a stable position.

Спойлер

This is the 8th launch in the third generation of these spacecraft.
 
 Based on estimated search elements, both payloads were quickly picked up by amateur trackers. Russell Eberst in Scotland and Alain Figer in France first spotted them about 10 hours after the launch, on March 2.  Paul Camilleri in Australia soon followed. I was clouded out that night, but the next night (March 3) was clear in Leiden, and I managed to image the payloads on two consecutive passes (http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Mar-2017/0018.html), albeit under a somewhat hazy sky. It was also imaged by Leo Barhorst that same night.
 
 Below are two of my images of the two payloads chasing each other, from consecutive passes, obtained from Leiden under a hazy sky (click them to enlarge):

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/124753.jpg) (https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKDRKhdCVPo/WLmHukPXF9I/AAAAAAAAEUA/uQtnxW5WmF4Hg8sWq4M8d1pHa7L8ng8lQCLcB/s1600/NOSS3_8_NROL79_s03032017_0028.jpg)
 NROL-79 payloads, image 3 March 2017, 1:43 UT (click to enlarge)

In the image above taken during the first pass near 1:43 UT, the objects are moving from top to bottom through a field in Cygnus. In the image below, from the second pass, they are moving from left to right. Note the difference in brightness between the two objects, noticable during this second pass:

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/124519.jpg) (https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HbhpAFLg5Rs/WLmIP04uMGI/AAAAAAAAEUE/NeHRz10IStIUOumNPDP0tXoYoueBCR5qACLcB/s1600/NOSS3_8_NROL79_s03032017_0101.jpg)
 NROL-79 payloads, image 3 March 2017, 3:31 UT (click to enlarge)

The NOSS components are usually designated A and B (sometimes A & C). For the moment, we have named the fainter leading object B. The objects are currently still quite faint, indicating that they have not yet deployed their solar arrays and other gear.
 
 The B object is usually catalogued as "debris" by JSpOC, but this is a ruse: in reality it is a functional payload (as it manoeuvres and carefully stationkeeps with the A component during its operational years).
 
 Our current tracking data established that they are in a 63.46 degree inclined, 1010 x 1204 km orbit (http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Mar-2017/0019.html). The two payloads are about 45 km apart in space.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/124456.jpg) (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-veMK5ql1-6w/WLmKOPeB19I/AAAAAAAAEUM/s2doI-jHMp0S9T73tAXFusoYG9TmYbOqQCLcB/s1600/NROL79.jpg)

Over the coming days, they will likely make manoeuvres to finalize their orbits and respective positions.
 
 The respective distances of current still operational NOSS pairs (NOSS 3-3 to 3-7) varies between 39.5 and 55 km.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьUpdated NOSS 3-8 (NROL-79) elements

...
 From: Marco Langbroek via Seesat-l
 Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2017 06:20:13 +0100
 
The following updated elements are based on observations by Russell Eberst,Alain Figer, Paul Camilleri, Leo Barhorst and Marco Langbroek over a one day arc:

NOSS 3-8A                                     1010 x 1204 km
1 42058U 17011A 17062.13040277 0.00000000 00000-0 00000+0 0 01
2 42058 63.4598 147.2939 0129673 179.6907 180.4220 13.40576702 00
rms 0.04 deg                           from 27 obs Mar 2.18 - Mar 3.15

NOSS 3-8B                                       1010 x 1204 km
1 42059U 17011B 17062.13033464 0.00000000 00000-0 00000+0 0 02
2 42059 63.4606 147.2986 0129868 179.4854 180.6328 13.40645608 01
rms 0.03 deg                         from 20 obs Mar 2.18 - Mar 3.15

- Marco
-----
Dr Marco Langbroek - SatTrackCam Leiden, the Netherlands.
...

Цитировать

National Reconnaissance Office Release

Release #01-17
March 3, 2017

NROL-79 Lifts Off on March 1, 2017

A National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload was successfully launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-3, Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California, 
at 9:50 a.m. PST, March 1.

"I congratulate everyone who made this morning's launch a success. Without the dedicated commitment from our government and industry teams, working together as one, it would not have been possible. All their hard work has contributed to providing superior vigilance from above for the Nation," said Colonel Matthew Skeen, USAF, Director, NRO Office of Space Launch.

NROL-79 is the first of five 2017 NRO launches. The next NRO launch is on schedule for April, from
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida.

-NRO-

The NRO is a joint Department of Defense–Intelligence Community organization responsible for
developing, launching, and operating America's intelligence satellites to meet the national security needs of our nation.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/32932.jpg) Scott Tilley‏ @coastal8049  (https://twitter.com/coastal8049) 11 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/coastal8049/status/838319931045228544)

#NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) confirmed both s/c are active on s-band. However, my last incorrect. 42058, follower A on 2222.5MHz & 42059, leader B on 2277.5MHz.
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157204.png)

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157205.png) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157206.png)

[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/35114.png) Cees Bassa‏ @cgbassa  (https://twitter.com/cgbassa) 10 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/cgbassa/status/838336605807132672)

Same #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) results from Europe (using http://github.com/cbassa/strf  (https://t.co/gedWMLzZ0a)); NOSS 3-8A on 2222.5MHz, B on 2277.5MHz. No more groundlocks. @coastal8049 (https://twitter.com/coastal8049)

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157202.png)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157203.png)

[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67516.jpg) Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589  (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/838807784581959680)

Space-Track has 42059 as one of the newly deployed ISS cubesats, not as the second USA 274 payload

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67516.jpg) Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589  (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/839556237482201088)

The secret second payload from the recent Atlas NROL-79 launch has been cataloged as 42065, although Space-Track falsely claims it's debris

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67516.jpg) Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589  (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 13 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/839556510548168705)

Hobbyist observations confirm that the second NROL-79/USA-274 object is actively changing its orbit, so it's a rather odd kind of debris

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185302.jpg) Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek  (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 10 мар. (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/840187113584881664)

The #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) payloads (NOSS 3-8 A & B), launched 8 days ago, imaged last night. Movement is from top to bottom, B object leading. @SSC_NL (https://twitter.com/SSC_NL)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157207.jpg) 
 Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek  (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 10 мар. (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/840001220173537284)

(cont.) NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System), aka INTRUDER, operate in pairs flying in close formation. They are SIGINT/ELINT spy sats.

 Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek  (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 10 мар. (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/840000759508946944)

(cont.) The two objects appear to be brighter now than a few days ago, suggesting appendages have unfolded. #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) was launched 8 days ago.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/32932.jpg) Scott Tilley‏ @coastal8049  (https://twitter.com/coastal8049) 20 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/coastal8049/status/840645644960186368)

New radio activity noticed from #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) payload 42058, object A on unusual frequency for NOSS mission s.
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157248.png)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157249.png)

ЦитироватьSunday, 19 March 2017

NOSS 3-7 (NROL-79): Dancing in the Dark

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/124771.jpg) (https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmkPMA2KIz4/WM6m92uVl3I/AAAAAAAAEUw/k-xmj8xjDWwZmtzMt8I28hEd0qNISk7HwCLcB/s1600/NOSS3_8_NROL79_s13032017_0027.jpg)

click image to enlarge

[свернуть]

The image above shows the new NOSS 3-8 duo (2017-011 A & B, launched as NROL-79 on March 1, see my earlier blog post here (https://sattrackcam.blogspot.nl/2017/03/tracking-nrol-79-new-noss-duo.html)), aka USA 274, imaged on March 12 through very thin cirrus.
 
 Over the past 2.5 weeks a number of us (Leo Barhorst, Cees Bassa and me in the Netherlands; Russell Eberst in Scotland; Alain Figer in France; and Paul Camilleri in Australia) have been chasing this duo and monitored their manoeuvering, consisting of small adjustments in apogee and perigee and orbital period.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/124423.png) (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1iPPsVl2kY8/WM6xkpJ7nNI/AAAAAAAAEVg/JTlSFbf3GNQ8ouXqX-5AwybBQECU4VNDACLcB/s1600/NOSS3_8_apogee_perigee_evo.png)

Click diagram to enlarge

I expect their manoeuvering to be complete by 21 days (3 weeks) after launch, i.e. near March 23. They will then have attained their finalized separation distance. I expect this initial operational distance to be about 45 km. I do not exclude further small manoeuvres after March 23 though, but these will be more as a pair, and not with respect to each other.
 

Спойлер

NROL-79 consists of a NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Ocean_Surveillance_System)) duo: two payloads orbiting as a close pair (typically 30-55 km). The second object is  catalogued as "debris" by JSpOC (they did this with all second payloads of NOSS launches), but isn't: after all, real debris shouldn't manoeuvre, and shouldn't stationkeep with respect to the other payload.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/124524.png) (https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jI2icBQgXX4/WM6r_nkPoTI/AAAAAAAAEVA/-S2jqB6CUHo5RKcRdl42wdKLQvSix9UYQCLcB/s1600/NOSS3_8_distances_comp_NOSS3_7.png)

click diagram to enlarge

After insertion in a 1010 x 1204 km, 63.45 degree inclined orbit, the two payloads started an intricate dance in space, step by step positioning themselves with respect to each other.
 
 In the initial week after launch the two payloads separated at a rate of ~31-32 kilometer per day, to a maximum separation of just over 200 km on Day 7. Then their drift reversed, with the two payloads gradually moving closer again (see diagram above, which also gives similar data for a previous NOSS launch, NROL-55 (NOSS 3-7) from 2015). Extrapolating the drift, and looking at the previous NOSS launch, I expect that by the end of the 3rd week after lauch (~March 23, 2017) the two payloads will reach their intended separation of ~45 km, and stabilize with respect to each other.
 
 It is interesting to note the difference with the previous NOSS launch, NOSS 3-7, also depicted in the diagram. The latter initially drifted further apart, and for a longer time: the separation increased until 14 days after launch (double as long as for the current case), to as much as ~570 km (almost three times as large as the current case), before the two objects started to move closer again.
 
 In the image below, taken three days apart on March 10 and March 13, the decrease in distance over time after the first week can clearly be noted (in the images, movement is from top to bottom and the B-object is leading). The images show the payloads in roughly the same part of the sky (bright stars are 1, 10 and 13 Cyg):

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/124248.jpg) (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HraDg1zlkDw/WM6u2vz23WI/AAAAAAAAEVU/8htLByL5rB0ezv6NA5f6UU4uaS9g13OMQCLcB/s1600/NOSS3_8_NROL79_10_13_mrt_comp.jpg)

click image to enlarge

A first major manoeuvre occurred on day 6, when both payloads lowered their orbital period:

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/124751.png) (https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUn__8puaQ8/WM6uUjupAkI/AAAAAAAAEVM/S6zL8e_z7toTRm5TzwcZFqOpYds1q_fcQCLcB/s1600/NOSS3_8_orbital_period_evo.png)

click diagram to enlarge

Around that same date, the visual brightness of the two objects changed. The latter probably signifies the deployment of something on the payloads: either antennae, or perhaps panels used to make minor orbital adjustments by decreasing or increasing drag (it has long been rumoured that this is one of the ways the NOSS payloads maintain their bond).
 
 The pattern between the current launch and the previous launch is similar (although I have a suspicion that for the previous NROL-55 launch in 2015, analysts switched the identitities of the two objects around day 6): a major orbital period adjustment on day 6, after which one of the payloads gradually increases its orbital period again while the other very slowly decreases its orbital period. But what can be seen is that for the current case, the values for both payloads stay much more similar than was the case with the previous launch, just as with the evolution of the spatial separation of the two. One of the things this could point to is that, perhaps, the initial orbit insertion of NROL-79 went better than for NROL-55, but this is speculation.
 
 Note: orbital calculations for NROL-79 used were done by myself using observational data from the persons mentioned in the main text. The NROL-55 orbit calculations from 2015 were by Mike McCants and  Ted Molczan. I am indebted to Leo Barhorst and Bram Dorreman for their help in filling gaps in my archive of orbits for the latter object.

[свернуть]

Posted by  SatTrackCam Leiden  (https://www.blogger.com/profile/08711764306071043709) at 3/19/2017 05:32:00 pm (https://sattrackcam.blogspot.ru/2017/03/noss-3-7-nrol-79-dancing-in-dark.html)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185302.jpg) Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek  (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/844216799864508416)

After much manoeuvering the two #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) payloads (NOSS 3-8 A & B) have almost reached their operational separation of ~50 km. @SSC_NL (https://twitter.com/SSC_NL)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157383.jpg)

ЦитироватьUpdated NOSS 3-8 (NROL-79) elements

...
From: Marco Langbroek via Seesat-l
 Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2017 11:29:22 +0100

 The following updated elements are based on observations by Leo Barhorst, CeesBassa, Russell Eberst, Alberto Rango, Dave Waterman and Marco Langbroek:

NOSS 3-8 (A) 1014 x 1199 km
1 42058U 17011A 17081.14967525 0.00000000 00000-0 00000+0 0 07
2 42058 63.4408 98.9850 0123629 179.0619 181.0661 13.40841091 05
rms 0.02 from 37 observations March 21.13 - March 22.18

NOSS 3-8 (B) 1013 x 1199 km
1 42065U 17011B 17081.14958563 0.00000000 00000-0 00000+0 0 07
2 42065 63.4428 98.7921 0123872 179.1570 180.9687 13.40840368 01
rms 0.02 from 39 observations March 21.13 - March 22.18

The decrease in relative distance between the two payloads has virtually come to a halt and was ~50.5 km at epoch time of the above elsets.Orbital parameters are settling too, with the orbital period now very similarand the two orbital planes now about 0.2 deg apart in RAAN.
...

- Marco
-----
Dr Marco Langbroek - SatTrackCam Leiden, the Netherlands.
e-mail: sattrackcam_at_langbroek.org
...

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185302.jpg) Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 4 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/846016113054040066)

I also video-ed a pass of the new NOSS 3-8 spysat duo (#NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash)) yesterday: https://youtu.be/IcrqyLUAgbU  (https://t.co/bqGez1IOO3) (sats come in from top left)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcrqyLUAgbU&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcrqyLUAgbU&feature=youtu.be)
NOSS 3-8 (NROL-79) payloads, 25mrt2017 2125UT
Video of the NOSS 3-8 duo (the payloads from the NROL-79 launch), two US Navy SIGINT spy satellites. Video taken from leiden, Netherlands, with a WATEC 902H

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185302.jpg) Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 7 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/846711881112961026)

Video: the NOSS 3-8 spysats (#NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash)) chasing each other yesterday evening. They are now ~47 km apart. @SSC_NL (https://twitter.com/SSC_NL)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ABPcSo3_c (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ABPcSo3_c)

ЦитироватьNOSS 3-8, the NROL-79 payloads, on 27 March 2017, imaged from Leiden, Netherlands. WATEC 902H + Samyang 1.4/85 mm lens
youtube.com (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ABPcSo3_c)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185302.jpg) Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 5 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/846750797199237120)

According to our obs, the #NROL79 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/NROL79?src=hash) payloads (a pair of US Navy SIGINT spysats, NOSS 3-8 )  have stabilized their mutual distance at ~47 km:
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157596.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/32932.jpg) Scott Tilley‏ @coastal8049 (https://twitter.com/coastal8049) 21 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/coastal8049/status/852364272021553152)

MMT in Russia posts light curve data for NOSS 3-8A. Observers claim ~2.1 sec period. Source: https://goo.gl/rJwj93  (https://t.co/swCzE9QfMK)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/157935.jpg)

Цитировать

Многоканальный мониторинговый телескоп ММТ.
Результаты анализа фотометрической информации по
космическим объектам на околоземных орбитах.
Март 2017 года.

Информационно-аналитический отчет.

2017

Цитировать Старый (http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/user/13420/), пишет:
На борту вращающаяся антенна?

ЦитироватьБезумный Шляпник пишет:
Что забавно: раньше были тройки НОССов (вроде бы без вращающихся антенн) и одинокие Ферреты типа USA-32/USA-81 (крутящиеся с периодичностью 1.2 сек). Потом заместо троек стали пары, одиночные Ферреты "сошли на нет" - но при этом в составе пар на заднем спутнике появилась некая вращающаяся антенна (периодичность 2.1 сек).

ЦитироватьБезумный Шляпник пишет:
Не помню я такой статьи. Помню статью Агапова, приуроченную к запуску первой пары - №11/2001.

ЦитироватьСтарый пишет:
На борту вращающаяся антенна?

ЦитироватьСтарый пишет:

ЦитироватьБезумный Шляпник пишет:
Не помню я такой статьи. Помню статью Агапова, приуроченную к запуску первой пары - №11/2001.

Статья Шеврова была не к запуску а просто так, сама по себе.
В одной из "пусковых" статей есть на неё ссылка.

ЦитироватьСтарый пишет:
А кто сказал что там написано про вращающуюся антенну? Там написано про принцип действия.

ЦитироватьLiss пишет:

ЦитироватьСтарый пишет:
А кто сказал что там написано про вращающуюся антенну? Там написано про принцип действия.

И я о том же.
Если бы в статье 2004 года постулировалось наличие на главном КА вращающейся антенны, обнаруженной в реальности в 2015 г., это продемонстрировало бы ее предсказательную силу и резко увеличило степень доверия к данной версии.