A military communications satellite has successfully separated from an Atlas V rocket's Centaur upper stage in its intended orbit, about 31 minutes after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Mission managers could be heard applauding after separation.
"Everything is looking good," a United Launch Alliance commentator said.
The second Wideband Global SATCOM satellite is intended to serve American troops in war theaters including Iraq and Afghanistan when it becomes operational in September.
It's the second of three next-generation satellites built through a $790 million Air Force program that will replace an existing constellation. At least five, possibly six, are planned.
"We're helping to give the most versatile and sophisticated technology to our warfighters," Brig. Gen. Edward Bolton Jr., 45th Space Wing commander, said in a sttatement after spacecraft separation. "Congratulations to the entire team for their hard work and dedication to the mission."
"ULA congratulates the Air Force and our mission partners on the successful launch of WGS-2," added James Bell, ULA WGS mission manager, in another statement. "WGS is a force multiplier for our troops in the field who defend America's freedom everyday."
Tonight's launch was the 15th by an Atlas V since 2002. The rockets were developed, along with ULA's Delta IV, under the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.
It was ULA's fourth unmanned launch this year from Cape Canaveral.
IMAGE NOTE: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the U.S. Air Force's second Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, at 8:31 p.m. After a 31-minute flight, WGS-2 was placed successfully in orbit where it will provide enhanced communication abilities to our troops in the field. Photo credit: Craig Bailey, Florida Today.
1 comment:
Wait, here's an idea - let's launch people on top of one of those!! Or has that been done before???
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