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

[tnt22]

[tnt22]

May 16, 2020 14:34

Atlas V 501



Today's launch uses the 501 version of the Atlas V rocket to generate the necessary power for delivery of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle into space.

This configuration of the Atlas V is distinguished by two stages, a five-meter-wide nose cone, no side-mounted solid-fuel boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will come off the pad on 860,200 pounds of thrust produced by the RD-180 main engine. Today's version stands 197 feet tall.

The 501 has flown six times before, including the first four X-37B launches and a pair of National Reconnaissance Office missions from Vandenberg.

[tnt22]

May 16, 2020 14:38

The fuel fill sequence is beginning. This procedure releases RP-1 kerosene fuel into the RD-180 main engine in preparation for ignition.

[tnt22]

May 16, 2020 14:43

Weather conditions remain "no go" due to violation of the Cumulus Cloud Rule as showers rotate ashore and brisk ground winds.

[tnt22]

 Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow 4 мин. назад

A rain shower is passing through Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as the Atlas 5 rocket continues counting down to launch with the US military's X-37B spaceplane.  The first opportunity to launch today — weather permitting — is at 8:24am EDT (1224 GMT).

(0:28)

[tnt22]

https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/14/atlas-5-av-081-mission-status-center/

05/16/2020 14:25 Stephen Clark

One hour until launch. Here are some statistics on this morning's mission:

[/li]
• 666th launch for Atlas program since 1957
  
• 368th Atlas launch from Cape Canaveral
  
• 255th mission of a Centaur upper stage
  
• 232nd use of Centaur by an Atlas rocket
  
• 501st production RL10 engine to be launched
  
• 32nd RL10C-1 engine launched
  
• 90th flight of an RD-180 main engine
  
• 84th launch of an Atlas 5 since 2002
  
• 32nd U.S. Air Force/Space Force use of an Atlas 5
  
• 69th launch of an Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral
  
• 3rd Atlas 5 launch of 2020
  
• 124th Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle flight
  
• 139th United Launch Alliance flight overall
  
• 76th Atlas 5 under United Launch Alliance
  
• 99th United Launch Alliance flight from Cape Canaveral
  
• 54th ULA launch for U.S. Air Force/Space Force
  
• 29th 500-series flight of the Atlas 5
  
• 6th Atlas 5 to fly in the 501 configuration
  
• 96th launch from Complex 41
  
• 69th Atlas 5 to use Complex 41
  
• 9th orbital launch overall from Cape Canaveral in 2020⁠
  

[tnt22]

May 16, 2020 14:50
Countdown Holding

T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the planned 30-minute built-in hold designed to give a bit of margin to deal with any problems. Also during this time, the final readiness polls of the launch team and management members will be performed.

We remain on schedule for a liftoff at 8:24 a.m. EDT (1224 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral.

[tnt22]

May 16, 2020 14:50

In the countdown, we have completed the fuel fill sequence to ready the first stage main propulsion system for launch.

[тавот]

tnt22 написал:
666th launch for Atlas program since 1957

Число нехорошее, сплюнуть бы...  :| 

[tnt22]

тавот написал:
Число нехорошее, сплюнуть бы...

Тут плюй - не пдюй...

May 16, 2020 14:57

Launch Weather Officer Jessica Williams reports conditions are observed "no go" for liftoff. A band of rain is streaming over the launch complex. The odds of meeting the launch weather rules today has decreased to 20 percent.

[tnt22]

[tnt22]

[tnt22]

[tnt22]

[tnt22]

[tnt22]

May 16, 2020 15:05

Today's launch opportunity has two 10-minute windows available for Atlas V to send the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle into space. The orbital requirements of the mission dictate window timing and duration, and the Atlas V rocket's robust ability can meet those parameters.

The first window opens at 8:24 a.m. and extends to 8:34 a.m. EDT (1224-1234 UTC).

The second window runs from 10:13 to 10:23 a.m. EDT (1413-1423 UTC).

[tnt22]

[тавот]

Вроде протянуло тучи, дождь прекратился. Меряют ветер...

[tnt22]

[tnt22]

NO GO