Atlas V blasts off from Cape Canaveral on ULA’s 1st launch of 2022

[Elderberry]

Orlando Sentinel By Richard Tribou 1/21/2022



The first United Launch Alliance mission of the year sent an Atlas V rocket with a payload for the U.S. Space Force into orbit today.

The launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 41 hit its target of 2 p.m. liftoff, marking the 75th flight of an Atlas V from the Space Coast.

“Feels like a good day to go to space,” said ULA president and CEO Tory Bruno on Twitter.

The USSF-8 mission aims to put two space surveillance satellites directly into geosynchronous orbit, the fifth and sixth satellites of the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program for more accurate tracking and identification of man-made orbiting objects. Deployment is slated more than six hours after liftoff.

More: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/space/os-bz-ula-atlas-v-launch-space-force-20220121-zgpmrmyrafadxl54ljlkxdiauy-story.html


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tdrsSotNXE

[Elderberry]

ULA launches first-time configuration Atlas V for the US Space Force

Space Explored by Seth Kurkowski   - Jan. 21st 2022

https://spaceexplored.com/2022/01/21/ula-launches-first-time-configuration-atlas-v-for-the-us-space-force/

ULA doesn’t launch as much as SpaceX does, but the company has positioned itself into a prime spot for defense and interplanetary missions. Today, the joint Lockheed Martin-Boeing venture launched its Atlas V, its most popular rocket.

This configuration is unique, a 511 Atlas V. This means it uses a five meter fairing, one solid rocket motor, and one engine on the Centaur second stage. ULA affectionately names this rocket The Big Slider, for its slightly sideways takeoff due to the asymmetric thrust. The Atlas V’s seemingly endless configurations allow customers to get the best rocket for their payloads.

ULA could have up to 10 more Atlas V launches this year if all goes well. In total, there are 25 Atlas V launches before the rocket is retired, entirely replaced by the company’s Vulcan rocket.