The U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System communications satellite No. 5 was encapsulated in the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket’s payload fairing on June 4 at the Astrotech processing facility in Titusville, Florida. The 18-foot-diamter shroud covers the satellite during the initial minutes of flight as the 206-foot-tall rocket climbs through the atmosphere.
On June 13, the satellite was transported to Cape Canaveral’s Complex 41 and hoisted atop the Atlas-Centaur rocket at the Vertical Integration Facility to complete assembly of the launcher.
Launch is planned for June 24 during a 44-minute window of 10:30 to 11:14 a.m. EDT (1430-1511 GMT).
Photo credit: United Launch Alliance
See earlier MUOS 5 coverage.
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