United Launch Alliance – Page 61

Buildup of unusual launcher begins for NASA’s asteroid sample return mission

August 8, 2016 Justin Ray

It is a rocket like no other, a vehicle with a single solid-fuel booster mounted to its side, that will launch NASA’s OSIRIS-REx probe next month to bring back a sample of Asteroid Bennu.

Next missile warning sentinel set for October launch to geosynchronous orbit

August 5, 2016 Justin Ray

A highly sophisticated U.S. Air Force satellite to sound the alarm when an enemy missile launches has shipped to its Florida launch site for liftoff in October aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.

Boeing nears fix for CST-100 Starliner design hitch

August 2, 2016 Stephen Clark

Boeing engineers are close to resolving concerns with the mass and aerodynamic shape of the company’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew carrier, and officials are optimistic the spaceship will be ready to deliver astronauts to the International Space Station in early 2018.

Delta 4 rocket undergoes launch day rehearsal for its next Air Force mission

July 30, 2016 Justin Ray

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket went through a practice countdown and fueling exercise this week to prepare for its Aug. 19 liftoff to deliver a pair of orbital surveillance satellites into space.

NROL-61 satellite launched Thursday spotted in space by sky-watchers

July 30, 2016 Spaceflight Now

Sky-watchers with a passion for looking up and tracking satellites with remarkable precision have made quick work of locating the spacecraft launched atop an Atlas 5 rocket on Thursday.

After three-year wait, commercial imaging observatory shipped for launch

July 29, 2016 Justin Ray

More than three years after its launch was delayed by a corporate merger, a commercial Earth-imaging satellite has finally shipped to its California rocket base for liftoff aboard an Atlas 5 in September.

Photos: More shots of Thursday’s Atlas 5 rocket launch

July 28, 2016 Justin Ray

Departing Cape Canaveral at 8:37 a.m. EDT Thursday, the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket lifted a classified national security satellite into orbit for deployment.

Photos: Atlas 5 powers away with NROL-61 payload

July 28, 2016 Justin Ray

Launching the secretive NROL-61 payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket thundered away from Cape Canaveral today at 8:37 a.m. EDT (1237 GMT).

Spy satellite infrastructure supported by successful Atlas 5 rocket launch

July 28, 2016 Justin Ray

A clandestine satellite for the U.S. reconnaissance program was successfully launched by an Atlas 5 rocket today, riding a ferocious torrent of fire and smoke off the pad before disappearing behind a curtain of secrecy.

Video: Liftoff of Atlas 5 on NROL-61 satellite deployment

July 28, 2016 Justin Ray

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, standing 194 feet tall and and weighing 950,000 pounds, unleashes 1.5 million pounds of thrust from its main engine and two side-mounted boosters at 8:37 a.m. EDT today to launch the National Reconnaissance Office’s NROL-61 satellite from Cape Canaveral.