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

Автор zandr, 16.01.2020 21:19:34

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tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 02:43

The flight control operational test has been completed successfully. This was an engine nozzle steering check performed prior to cryogenic fueling. A similar test wull be conducted after the rocket is loaded with super-cold propellant.

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 02:48

The MST is a critical part of the launch complex, providing the primary access and weather protection to the rocket during its stay on the launch pad, and its overhead crane system serves a vital role in vertical integration of payloads onto the Delta IV rockets.



Rollback of the MST signals a major milestone at the start of launch day operations. Configuring launch pad systems and securing equipment will be completed over the next couple of hours before all personnel clear the site for fueling.

Activities continue towards a liftoff at 2:12 a.m. EDT (0612 UTC).

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 02:54

The sun is setting on the Florida Space Coast on a beautiful summer evening.


tnt22


tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 03:12

Delta 385

We are inside the final six hours until liftoff of Delta 385.

The Delta IV Heavy rocket is the evolution of our Delta family, developed to provide our customers reliable access to space. In more than five decades of use, Delta launch systems have succeeded through evolutionary design upgrades to meet the growing needs of the user community while maintaining high reliability.

The Delta launch vehicle program was initiated in the late 1950s by NASA. The Delta vehicle was developed as an interim space launch vehicle using a modified Thor missile as the first stage and Vanguard components as the second and third stages capable of delivering a payload of 120 pounds to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) and 400 pounds to low-Earth orbit (LEO).

The Delta legacy grew with launches of the Tiros and GOES satellites. These satellites revolutionized weather forecasting. Delta launches of the first Telstar and Intelsat communications satellites enabled the now-famous TV phrase, "live, via satellite!" The Explorer research satellites provided data about energy fields and particles that could affect communications satellites, while NASA's Pioneer probes undertook a long series of space exploration missions. 

Through the years, Delta became larger, more advanced and capable of carrying heavier satellites into orbit. Design changes included larger first stage tanks, addition of strap-on solid rocket boosters, increased propellant capacity, an improved main engine, adoption of advanced electronics and guidance systems, and development of upper stage and satellite payload systems.

The Delta program's commitment to vehicle improvement to meet customer needs culminated in the Delta IV family of launch vehicles, with a wide range of increasing capability.

The Delta IV family of medium-to-heavy launch vehicles became operational in 2002. The first Delta IV launch, of Eutelsat's W5 commercial satellite, took place on Nov. 20, 2002. The first payload delivered for the U.S. Air Force was the DSCS A3 satellite on March 10, 2003. United Launch Alliance successfully launched the first operational Delta IV Heavy on Nov. 10, 2007.

Today marks the 385th Delta launch, the 41st for Delta IV and the 12th in the Heavy configuration.

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 03:15

The S-band system has been tested. This will be used for telemetry downlink during the flight.

The internal battery checks are being performed now.

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 03:30

Elements from across the U.S. come together to form the Delta IV Heavy rocket launching tonight. Here is a map illustrating where the launch vehicle stages and other elements were produced for NROL-44.



tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 03:45

This illustration depicts the flow of hardware and the facilities involved to integrate the Delta IV Heavy rocket for launch.


tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 04:06

Hold-fire checks are being conducted at this time. This verifies the circuitry used to stop the countdown if a safety concern arises.

tnt22


tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 04:10

The initiation of gaseous nitrogen flow to the rocket is starting. This changes the environmental control system to supply conditioned nitrogen gas rather than air to Delta IV Heavy in preparation for the cryogenic fueling and in-flight environments.

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 04:21

Weather is GO for Fueling

This is Delta Launch Control at T-minus 4 hours, 21 minutes (L-4 hours, 51 minutes) and counting. In the pre-fueling weather briefing, conditions at Cape Canaveral are acceptable for proceeding into cryogenic tanking operations at Space Launch Complex-37.



Launch Weather Officer Will Ulrich from the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron also reports that the weather outlook remains favorable for the flight of Delta IV Heavy this evening. The forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of allowable liftoff conditions, with the only concern being the Cumulus Cloud Rule.

All rules are green and "go" at the present time.

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 04:23

Hold-fire checks were complete satisfactorily.

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 04:27

Countdown Holding


This is Delta Launch Control at T-minus 4 hours, 15 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the first of two planned holds in today's timeline.

This pause was scheduled to last 15 minutes. However, the hold will be extended about an hour to allow all required activities to be accomplished prior to fueling.

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 04:41

Pre-fueling tests are underway to verify the proper functions of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen valves on both stages of the launch vehicle.

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 04:53

An issue with a heater has been reported by the launch team. The issue is being referred to Anomaly Chief Dave McFarland for discussion, any troubleshooting steps, then resolution. The AC position in the control room that directs engineering teams work to resolve technical issues that arise during the count.

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 05:04

Here's a spectacular view of the Delta IV Heavy rocket taken during Mobile Service Tower rollback earlier this evening. See more photos in our NROL-44 Flickr album!


Photo by United Launch Alliance

tnt22

Цитировать Michael Baylor @nextspaceflight 34 мин. назад

The ULA team is currently troubleshooting an issue with a heater on the launch vehicle. A team is being sent to the pad to attempt a fix. With the build-in hold having to be extended, a new T-0 will be announced once teams are ready to proceed. #NROL44 #DeltaIVHeavy

tnt22

ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 05:35

Technicians deployed to Space Launch Complex-37 continue to troubleshoot the cause of a heater issue. Our launch countdown remains holding at T-minus 4 hours, 15 minutes.

tnt22

#79
ЦитироватьAug 27, 2020 06:09

The launch team continues to stand by while pad technicians work through the heater issue at the pad. Once the issue is resolved, mission managers will establish a new target launch time and resume the countdown to begin fueling operations tonight.

Weather conditions remain favorable.