AFSPC-7/USSF-7: X-37B OTV-6 – Atlas V 501 – CCAFS SLC-41 – 17.05.2020 13:14 UTC

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Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow 4 мин. назад

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May 16, 2020 12:59

The cumulus cloud rule is green again again. That rule is violated when the rocket would fly through or too close to a cumulus cloud. The exact standoff limits are determined by cloud top temperature, with colder clouds requiring the rocket to stay a further distance away for safety.

The ground winds, however, remain slightly out of limits.

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May 16, 2020 13:03
Centaur LO2 Loading Begins

With the thermal conditioning, or chilldown, now complete, liquid oxygen has started to flow into the Centaur upper stage for today's launch. About 4,150 gallons of liquid oxygen will be loaded into Centaur.

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 Stephen Clark‏ @StephenClark1 4 мин. назад

Two launch pads lit up on the way into work this morning. Atlas 5 on left and Falcon on right.

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May 16, 2020 13:24
Atlas LO2 loading begins

Filling of the Atlas V rocket's largest tank has begun. About 48,800 gallons of super-cold oxidizer for the main engine is flowing into the liquid oxygen tank on common core booster first stage.

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Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow 38 сек. назад

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May 16, 2020 13:25

We are just inside two hours fr om the scheduled launch of the Atlas V 501 rocket on the United States Space Force-7 (USSF-7) mission fr om Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

The first rays of sunlight are beginning to rise at Space Launch Complex-41 wh ere the Atlas V rocket is being fueled for its 8:24 a.m. EDT (1224 UTC) liftoff.

Ground winds continue to hover around the lim it for launch. All other weather rules are green at this time.

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May 16, 2020 13:32

The Centaur liquid oxygen tank is topping to flight level.

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May 16, 2020 13:34
OTV-6 Mission

The Department of the Air Force continues to push the flight envelope for the X-37B, and will build upon its growing collaboration with experiment partners with its sixth mission launching today.

"In today's age of electrons, space systems track storms, locate stranded motorists, timestamp credit card transactions, and monitor treaty compliance," said Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett. "Demonstrating the department's innovation, this X-37B mission will host more experiments than any prior missions. This launch also demonstrates the department's collaboration that pushes the boundaries for reusable space systems."

The ability to test new systems in space and return them to Earth is unique to the X-37B program and enables the U.S. to more efficiently and effectively develop space capabilities necessary to maintain superiority in the space domain.

"The X-37B team continues to exemplify the kind of lean, agile and forward-leaning technology development we need as a nation in the space domain," said U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations, Gen. John "Jay" Raymond. "Each launch represents a significant milestone and advancement in terms of how we build, test, and deploy space capabilities in a rapid and responsive manner."

The X-37B remains a Department of the Air Force asset; however, the U.S. Space Force is responsible for the launch, on-orbit operations, and landing.

"This launch is a prime example of integrated operations between the Air Force, Space Force, and government-industry partnerships," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. "The X-37B continues to break barriers in advancing reusable space vehicle technologies and is a significant investment in advancing future space capabilities."

This will be the first X-37B mission to use a service module to host experiments. The service module is an attachment to the aft of the vehicle that allows additional experimental payload capability to be carried to orbit.

"This sixth mission is a big step for the X-37B program," said Mr. Randy Walden, Director and Program Executive Officer for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. "This will be the first X-37B mission to use a service module to host experiments. The incorporation of a service module on this mission enables us to continue to expand the capabilities of the spacecraft and host more experiments than any of the previous missions."

The mission will deploy the FalconSAT-8, a small satellite developed by the U.S. Air Force Academy and sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory to conduct several experiments on orbit. The FalconSAT-8 is an educational platform that will carry five experimental payloads for USAFA to operate. In addition, two National Aeronautics and Space Administration experiments will be included to study the results of radiation and other space effects on a materials sample plate and seeds used to grow food. Finally, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, will transform solar power into radio frequency microwave energy which could then be transmitted to the ground.

"We are excited to return the X-37B to space and conduct numerous on-orbit experiments for both the Air Force and its mission partners," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Keen, the X-37B program manager.

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May 16, 2020 13:48

A first stage liquid oxygen inlet temperature sensor us reading erratically. That issue has been reported to Launch Conductor Dillon Rice and 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.

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May 16, 2020 13:48
Centaur LH2 Loading Begins

The launch team has received the "go" to begin filling the Centaur upper stage with the super-cold liquid hydrogen fuel following chilldown of the system. The Centaur holds about 12,300 gallons of the cryogenic propellant for this mission to space.

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 Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow 2 мин. назад

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May 16, 2020 13:53

Anomaly Chief Dave McFarland in the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center has reported closure of the first stage instrumentation issue that engineers were discussing. An alternate sensor is available and can cover adequately.

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May 16, 2020 13:57

The countdown is passing T-minus 58 minutes. We will be taking the clocks down to T-minus 4 minutes where they will hold for 30 minutes while managers perform the final readiness polls. Liftoff remains targeted for 8:24 a.m. EDT (1224 UTC).


Photo by United Launch Alliance

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May 16, 2020 14:00

The Cumulus Cloud Rule is being violated again, with an expected clear time in about 30 minutes. Ground winds remain above the limit as well.

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May 16, 2020 14:01

Flight control final preps are getting underway. This is the steering test pattern run on the Atlas V engine nozzles to ensure proper gimbaling during the ascent.

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May 16, 2020 14:07

The liquid hydrogen tank in the Centaur upper stage just reached the 96 percent level. Topping is beginning.

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May 16, 2020 14:10

The high-pressure helium bottles for first stage main engine pneumatics have been charged for flight.

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May 16, 2020 14:14

Fast-filling of the first stage liquid oxygen tank has been completed. Topping mode is now underway. The cryogenics will be replenished throughout the countdown until the final minutes before launch to replace the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen that naturally boils away.

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