United Launch Alliance – Page 56

Missile warning satellite launch slips into 2017 due to thruster concerns

September 26, 2016 Justin Ray

An Air Force missile detection spacecraft will, effectively, lose its position in the Atlas 5 rocket’s cramped manifest over the next few months after the flight-worthiness of a thruster on the satellite was called into question and delayed its Oct. 3 liftoff date.

Ambitious space missions in small packages win free launch slots on Atlas 5

September 22, 2016 Justin Ray

Student-built miniature satellites to demonstrate 3D printing to make repairs in space, a mission to study solar explosions hitting the Earth, a technology test for deorbiting smallsats and a precursor to a commemorative time capsule have won free launches into space aboard Atlas 5 rockets in United Launch Alliance’s first-ever cubesat challenge.

Containment of Vandenberg wildfire begins as hundreds of firefighters battle

September 21, 2016 Justin Ray

United Launch Alliance technicians were allowed to return to the Atlas 5 pad Tuesday as firefighters continued to wage air and ground campaigns against the wildfire burning at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Uncontrolled wildfire at Vandenberg Air Force Base continues to rage

September 20, 2016 Justin Ray

The escalating wildfire at Vandenberg Air Force Base grew even larger Monday despite the round-the-clock efforts of firefighters trying to bring the blaze under control before it threatens United Launch Alliance and SpaceX launch pads used by Atlas 5, Delta 4 and Falcon 9 rockets.

ULA moves to fill openings in Atlas 5 launch manifest

September 19, 2016 Stephen Clark

With U.S. military demand waning in coming years, United Launch Alliance has multiple openings in its Atlas 5 launch manifest in 2017 and 2018 available to commercial customers with as little as three months’ notice, according to company officials.

Photos: Gantry rolled back to reveal Atlas 5 rocket for launch

September 16, 2016 Justin Ray

The 8-million-pound mobile service tower is retracted from around the Atlas 5 rocket, revealing the 189-foot-tall vehicle for liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, carrying the commercial WorldView 4 Earth-imaging satellite.

Atlas 5/WorldView 4 launch timeline

September 15, 2016 Justin Ray

This is the ascent timeline to be followed by the Atlas 5 rocket’s ascent into orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with the commercial WorldView 4 Earth-imaging satellite for DigitalGlobe. Launch is scheduled for Friday at 11:30 a.m. local time (2:30 p.m. EDT; 1830 GMT).

Photos: Atlas 5 rocket on the pad with WorldView 4 satellite

September 15, 2016 Justin Ray

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket stands atop Space Launch Complex 3-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on the eve of Friday’s WorldView 4 mission.

Atlas 5 launch postponed by wildfire, Range availability until Sept. 26

September 15, 2016 Justin Ray

Sunday’s flight of the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was scrubbed due to a wildfire burning south of the pad. The launch delay allows crews to remain in place to battle the blaze. The lack of Range availability this week means the next launch try won’t come until Sept. 26.

Idled by Range facility rework for months, Vandenberg ready to launch again Friday

September 14, 2016 Justin Ray

Resuming space launches from the U.S. Western Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California after a half-year infrastructure outage, an Atlas 5 rocket will boost a commercial Earth-imaging bird into orbit on Friday.