NROL-44: Orion 10 (Mentor 8) – Delta IV-H [D-385] – Канаверал SLC-37B – 11.12.2020 01:09 UTC

[tnt22]

 ULA @ulalaunch 47 мин. назад

Today's forecast shows a 60 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

[tnt22]

Sep 28, 2020 17:30

Live Launch Coverage Begins Today!

Starting later this afternoon, join us for live reports throughout the countdown to the Delta IV Heavy launch of NROL-44. Our updates from the Delta Operations Center will begin on this page at 3:30 p.m. EDT (1930 UTC), just prior to starting the countdown. 

Liftoff of the Delta IV Heavy rocket from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida is scheduled for two minutes past midnight tonight at 12:02 a.m. EDT (0402 UTC).


Photo by United Launch Alliance

[tnt22]

Трансляция пуска (обновление)

LAUNCH WEBCAST

The launch webcast begins at 11:42 p.m. EDT (0342 UTC)

youtu.be/ssnh8KznSeM

Начало трансляции - 29 сентября 2020 г. в 03:42 UTC / 06:42 ДМВ

[tnt22]

 ULA @ulalaunch 31 мин. назад

Starting later this afternoon, join us for live reports throughout the countdown to the #DeltaIVHeavy launch of #NROL44. Coverage begins at 3:30pmEDT (1930 UTC). Liftoff is targeted for two minutes past midnight at 12:02amEDT (0402 UTC). Live blog: http://bit.ly/div_nrol44

[Чебурашка]

На картинке волк, воющий на Луну.
Ближайшее полнолуние 1 октября.
Вангую, улетит в этот день 

[zandr]

https://www.militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=538645&lang=RU

Компания ULA планирует во вторник осуществить запуск разведспутника США NROL-44
       Вашингтон. 28 сентября. ИНТЕРФАКС - Запуск тяжелой ракеты-носителя Delta IV с секретным спутником NROL-44 Национального управления военно-космической разведки США (NRO) будет предпринят во вторник, сообщила компания-оператор United Launch Alliance (ULA).
      "Миссия стартует во вторник, 29 сентября с космического комплекса 37 на космодроме на мысе Канаваерал во Флориде. Время пуска - 00:02 по времени Восточного побережья США (7:02 мск)", - говорится в сообщении.
       Запуск спутника ранее уже неоднократно откладывался. 29 августа из-за технических проблем он был остановлена автоматикой всего за три секунды до отрыва ракеты от стартового стола, когда уже произошло зажигание.
       По данным ULA, причиной отмены пуска стали неполадки в системах 37-го стартового комплекса на авиабазе США на мысе Канаверал (штат Флорида).
       О целях, орбите, размере и других характеристиках секретного американского спутника NROL-44, стоимость которого, по оценкам, превышает миллиард долларов, официально не сообщается. Миссия и возможности спутников данного типа строго засекречены.

[tnt22]

Sep 28, 2020 22:30

Welcome to the Delta IV Heavy Countdown!

From the Delta Operations Center, this is Delta Launch Control as we enter the final eight-and-a-half hours until liftoff of the Delta IV Heavy rocket on the NROL-44 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office tonight from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Launch is scheduled for 12:02 a.m. EDT (0402 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-37.

The countdown will begin at 3:32 p.m. EDT from the T-minus 8 hour mark. Two pre-planned, 15-minute built-in holds are scheduled in the count. One pause is reserved prior to fueling at T-minus 4 hours, 15 minutes, the other occurs prior to the terminal count at T-minus 4 minutes.


Photo by United Launch Alliance

[tnt22]

Sep 28, 2020 22:32

Countdown Begins!

On my mark, the time will be T-minus 8 hours and counting. 3, 2, 1, mark.

The official countdown sequence has started ticking here in the Delta Operations Center towards a liftoff time of 12:02 a.m. EDT (0402 UTC).

ULA's Delta IV Heavy, one of the world's most powerful rockets, is the only rocket system that possesses all of the attributes to meet the stringent requirements to launch the NROL-44 mission.

This will be ULA's 141st mission and our 29th for the NRO. The Delta IV Heavy is making is 12th flight overall and its 8th launch performed the NRO.

The triple-core rocket stands 235 feet tall and 54 feet wide, features 8 fuel and oxidizer tanks, burns liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in all three cores and its second stage and protects the payload in a 65-foot-long tri-sector payload fairing. 

[tnt22]

Sep 28, 2020 22:37

The application of power to the avionics aboard the Delta IV Heavy rocket is beginning at the start of the countdown. The equipment will be powered up for launch day testing and final preparations for fueling operations.

[tnt22]

Sep 28, 2020 22:52

Weather Acceptable for Tower Roll

Space Force meteorologist Jessica Williams from the 45th Weather Squadron here at Cape Canaveral has provided a forecast of conditions expected during retraction of the Mobile Service Tower away from the Delta IV Heavy rocket and the outlook for tonight.

Current conditions are acceptable. But rain and intracloud lightning is expected along the Space Coast tonight, with conditions improving by late tonight. Lingering cloud cover gives us a 60 percent chance of allowable launch weather.

For launch at 12:02 a.m. EDT, meteorologists are predicting scattered low clouds, broken mid- and high-level decks, good visibility, southerly winds of 10 to 15 knots and a temperature near 80 degrees F.

[tnt22]

Sep 28, 2020 23:26

The Delta IV rocket has been powered up for the NROL-44 launch.

The flight control operator in the Launch Control Center performed the power up. Soon, he will begin avionics testing while the rocket's Inertial Guidance and Control Assembly (INCA) flight computer is allowed to warm up. Later, the operator will conduce guidance system testing and steering checks of the engine nozzles prior to cryogenic fueling.

[tnt22]

Sep 28, 2020 23:31

GO for Tower Roll

ULA Launch Director Lou Mangieri has given approval for retraction of the Mobile Service Tower at Space Launch Complex-37 in preparation for tonight's Delta IV Heavy rocket launch of NROL044. That "go" has been passed to the launch conductor for implementation.

"Proceed with MST jacking and roll to the park position," Launch Conductor Scott Barney just radioed to the pad lead engineer at Space Launch Complex-37.


Sep 28, 2020 23:34

MST jacking is underway. Using 40 hydraulic cylinders at pressures nearing 3,500 psi, the tower will be raised a few inches in preparation for the roll.

[tnt22]

Sep 28, 2020 23:38

A Phase 1 lightning watch has been issued for Space Launch Complex-37. The advisory means lightning is expected within the specified area up to 30 minutes before the forecast onset of lightning. Although lightning has yet to strike, conditions are developing for lightning soon. 

The pad crew will stand by before starting the roll.


Sep 28, 2020 23:42

A Phase 2 lightning warning has been issued for Space Launch Complex-37. The launch pad will be cleared of personnel because lightning is imminent.

The MST is being lowered back onto its pedestals.

[tnt22]

Sep 29, 2020 00:14

To recap, technicians were proceeding to retract the Mobile Service Tower away from the Delta IV Heavy rocket in this early portion of the launch countdown. However, storms pushing toward Space Launch Complex-37 caused meteorologists to declare a Phase 2 lightning warning that resulted in the crew clearing the pad as a safety precaution.

The tower has not yet rolled, but the countdown is continuing as mission managers look at options to preserve a launch opportunity tonight.

[tnt22]

У-у-у...

Sep 29, 2020 00:50

If you are just tuning in, the Delta IV Heavy launch pad at Cape Canaveral remains under a Phase 2 lightning warning. That caused the pad crew to leave the site for shelter.

We are awaiting improvement in the weather in order for the team to resume its work at the pad for a launch attempt tonight.

[tnt22]

 Tory Bruno @torybruno 1 ч. назад

Lightning strike near the pad.  Looking at the launch window. #NROL44

[tnt22]

Н-да-с, серия дцатая не задалась...

Sep 29, 2020 01:32

Launch Scrubbed

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (Sept. 28, 2020) – The launch of the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy NROL-44 mission has been scrubbed due to weather. Launch is now scheduled for 11:58 p.m. EDT on Tues., Sept. 29, 2020.

Our live launch blog will begin at 3:15 p.m. EDT (1915 UTC).

30 сентября 2020 г. в 03:58 UTC / 06:58 ДМВ

[tnt22]

О трансляции пуска (обновление - адрес прежний)

LAUNCH WEBCAST

The launch webcast begins at 11:38 p.m. EDT (0338 UTC)

youtu.be/ssnh8KznSeM

Начало трансляции - 30 сентября 2020 г. в 03:35 UTC / 06:35 ДМВ

[tnt22]

 Emre Kelly @EmreKelly 1 ч. назад

Latest range schedule:

– Sept. 29 @ 2358 ET: Delta IV Heavy NRO

– Sept. 30 between 2145 and 2200 ET: Falcon 9 GPS

– Oct. 1 around 0915 ET: Falcon 9 13th Starlink

[tnt22]

 

 Emre Kelly @EmreKelly 11 мин. назад

If you weren't confused before...

Latest 45th hazard area now indicates Delta IV Heavy is scheduled for Sept. 30. Unsure if this means missions were swapped with SpaceX, all are delayed, or there's a mistake (not likely).

As usual, wait for confirmations from ULA and SpaceX.