NROL-32 (Delta 4-Heavy launched on Nov. 21, 2010)

[Zipi]

Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket will launch a classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The largest of the Delta 4 family, the Heavy version features three Common Booster Cores mounted together to form a triple-body rocket.

Live Stream: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Webcast.shtml
ULA's Launch Info: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Launch.shtml#/11/

Delta IV-Heavy Launch Vehicle

ULA's Delta IV Page: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Pro ... taIV.shtml
Delta IV Product Card: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/prod ... t_card.pdf
Delta IV Product Guide: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/prod ... de2007.pdf
Spaceflight Now Delta IV-Heavy Videos: http://spaceflightnowplus.com/index.php ... avy+Videos
Spaceflight Now Delta IV Fact Sheet: http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d310/04 ... heavy.html
Delta IV Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_IV

Above right image shows incorrect payload, but is otherways correct.

Delta IV-Heavy First Stage

Three Common Core Boosters (CBC), each having one RS-68 engine burning LOX/LH[sub]2[/sub]

RS-68 Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-68
P&W Rocketdyne Rs-68 Page: http://www.pw.utc.com/Products/Pratt+%2 ... dyne/RS-68
P&W Rocketdyne RS-68 Fact Sheet: http://www.pw.utc.com/StaticFiles/Pratt ... _RS-68.pdf
Purdue University's RS-68 Page: https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE/Rese ... uids/rs68/
NASA's RS-68 Test Program: http://sscfreedom.ssc.nasa.gov/etd/ETDP ... S_RS68.asp



Delta IV-Heavy Second Stage

One RL10-B-2 engine burning LOX/LH[sub]2[/sub]

RL10 Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RL10
P&W Rocketdyne RL10 Page: http://www.pw.utc.com/Products/Pratt+%2 ... tdyne/RL10
P&W Rocketdyne RL10 Fact Sheet: http://www.pw.utc.com/StaticFiles/Pratt ... r_RL10.pdf
Aerospaceguide.net RL10 Page: http://www.aerospaceguide.net/rocketengines/rl10.html



Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Canav ... ce_Station
Patrick Air Force Base Official Site: http://www.patrick.af.mil/
SLC-37B Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Canav ... Complex_37
Astronautix LC41 Page: http://www.astronautix.com/sites/caplc37b.htm
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=28.53198 ... -80.566821

 

[aaron38]

Oct 19th Delta IV Heavy Launch media coverage

I didn't find any threads on the upcoming Delta IV heavy launch. Is there going to NASA TV coverage for that launch? The payload is classified, so I don't know how much coverage it will get, but I haven't seen a heavy launch live yet, so I'd like to catch this one. Anyone know what time the launch is currently scheduled for?

 

[Zipi]

Re: Oct 19th Delta IV Heavy Launch media coverage

How about this: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26049&p=481280

 

[aaron38]

Re: Oct. 19 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Thanks Zipi, don't know how I missed your thread.

Did the date get pushed back? The ULA launch info link says the launch time is still TBD, but would be no earlier than Nov 4th.

With this and the Falcon 9 on adjacent launch pads (40 and 37), looks like these two will be tripping over each other.

 

[Zipi]

Re: Oct. 19 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Did the date get pushed back? The ULA launch info link says the launch time is still TBD, but would be no earlier than Nov 4th.

I checked and updated the date. I'm sorry to say that currently I have too much work to follow these things as closely as I would like to.

 

[aaron38]

Re: Nov. 5 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

ULA's now listing a Nov 15th launch date for this one, 3 days before the current Falcon9 date.

 

[aaron38]

Re: Nov. 15 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Almost there, it's listed for this Thursday, the 18th now. Launch time is still TBD.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 18? Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

www.spaceflightnow.com : Essential eavesdropping satellite launching Thursday

BY JUSTIN RAY

Posted: November 17, 2010

File image of a Delta 4-Heavy rocket. Credit: Pat Corkery/United Launch Alliance

One cannot overstate the importance of Thursday night's Delta 4-Heavy launch from Cape Canaveral to national security, a mission by the massive rocket that will deploy "the largest satellite in the world" to hear the whispers of evil.

Countdown clocks are targeting a liftoff time of 6:10 p.m. EST (2310 GMT) from the Florida spaceport's Complex 37. The evening's available launch opportunity likely extends upwards of four hours.

...

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 19. Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

http://www.ulalaunch.com : Delta IV Heavy to launch NROL-32

Updated Nov.17, 8:30 p.m. EST - the launch of the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy with a National Reconnaissance Office payload is rescheduled for Nov. 19, at 6:06 p.m. EST. During closeout processing of the launch system in preparation for flight, engineers detected that the installation of some ground support equipment pyrotechnic ordnance lines did not meet requirements. These ordnance lines fire the "hold down bolts" at liftoff releasing the Delta IV Heavy for flight. Mission managers have delayed the launch 24 hours, which allows time for new ordnance lines to be installed that meet all flight requirements.

The Delta IV Heavy rocket and NRO payload are safe and secure. The current weather forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of acceptable weather for Nov. 19.

...

 

[Stratospheric]

Re: Nov. 19 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

This is the third time I've tried to post this. Two previous posts in the news section covering this mission were pulled for some reason and the comments section closed by the moderators. Hmmm.

Here is what was posted:

The upper payload mass of the Delta IV heavy for GEO is around 6.25 tonnes and 13 tonnes for GTO. However the orbit for NROL-32 is stated as being high oblique angle in other words a high apogee Molniya orbit. This means the mass of the satellite is within that range and that 24 hour coverage over a given area requires at least 3 equi-synchronised satellites which fits with the programme of satellite lauches.

Annuit Coeptis is the motto stated on the mission patch which translates to '[God] approves [my] endeavour' and alludes to te 'eye of providence' image on both the back of the great seal and also on the reverse of the dollar bill.

Peter Jackson no doubt used the image for inspiration in his depiction of the 'Eye of Sauron' on the tower of Barad-Dur in Lord of the Rings.

The acronyms accompanying the motto expand to:

45 SW: 45th Space Wing (USAF) originally anti-submarine warfare during WWII
LR: Logistical readiness division?
OSL: Office of Space Launch
ULA: United Launch Alliance

The Molniya orbit places operations within the Pacific and Indian Oceans area coverage with perigee incursions to Russia and east Asia and the western US Seaboard.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 19 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

http://www.spaceflightnow.com : Mission Status Center

By Justin Ray

...

2046 GMT (3:46 p.m. EST)
................................................................
SCRUB. Today's launch attempt for the Delta 4-Heavy rocket has been called off due to a problem that arose during fueling operations. The vehicle is safe and secure. But time will be needed to assess the issue and officials just determined that liftoff won't be possible this evening. There's no immediate word about a new launch date.

...

2030 GMT (3:30 p.m. EST)
................................................................
The launch team remains on standby right now, hoping the issue can be resolved and fueling resumed for liftoff tonight. Here's an update from rocket-maker United Launch Alliance:

"During today's cryogenic fueling, anomalous temperature readings were observed on the port and starboard strap-on common core boosters. At this time, fuel loading has ceased and the launch countdown is on hold. Mission managers are currently studying the situation to see if this can be satisfactorily resolved to continue with today's launch attempt."

...

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 19 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

spaceflightnow.com : Delta 4-Heavy rocket revealed for launch

SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: November 19, 2009

The Delta 4-Heavy rocket is unveiled for its critical national security satellite launch as the mobile service gantry is retracted from the mammoth booster at Cape Canaveral's Complex 37.

Credit: Pat Corkery/United Launch Alliance

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[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 19 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

http://www.spaceflightnow.com : Mission Status Center

By Justin Ray

...

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2010
........................................................................................................
Here's the official statement from ULA about the rescheduling the launch for Sunday:

"The launch of the United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy with a National Reconnaissance Office payload is rescheduled for Nov. 21, at 5:58 p.m. EST (2258 GMT).

"Following the scrubbed Nov. 19 launch attempt, the launch team examined the port and starboard common core strap-on boosters in the areas where they received anomalous temperature data signatures during Friday's launch countdown. After inspections by engineers, it was determined that the temperature data signatures were caused by issues with two temperature sensors. New temperature sensors have been installed and tested, which has resolved the issue.

"The Delta 4-Heavy rocket and NRO payload are safe and secure.

"The current weather forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of acceptable weather for Nov. 21."

...

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Launch in about 20 min.

Live on SpaceflightNow and ULA Webcast.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

T-3 min and counting.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Launched.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Booster separation successful.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

2nd. stage ignition.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Fairing separation. Live coverage concluded.

 

[3488]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Fairing seperated.

What a beautiful lift off.

Andrew Brown.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

A couple of screenshots from ULA webcast :

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Unofficial launch video :

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB4MKMKDnTY[/youtube]

ChrisAstro30 | November 21, 2010

 

[3488]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

That was quick wasn't it EarthlingX to get on YouTube already. Liftoff was only about half an hour ago.

Nice shot here.

NRO/ULA.

Andrew Brown.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

Yes, it was fast. It usually takes at least a couple of hours.

Very nice and sharp shot there

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Nov. 21 Delta 4-Heavy - NROL-32

More nice images and a couple of videos :

http://www.universetoday.com : Delta IV Heavy Roars Off Launch Pad on NRO Mission

Nov 21st, 2010

by Jason Rhian


A Delta IV heavy lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 5:58 p.m. EDT carrying a secret NRO payload. Photo Credit: Universe Today/Alan Walters - awaltersphoto.com

CAPE CANAVERAL — United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched a Delta IV Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Nov. 21 at 5:58 p.m. EDT. This was the attempt to launch a classified surveillance satellite into space atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket. Coming alive right on time the enormous rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC 37).

As almost to underscore the secretive nature of the mission the powerful rocket’s fiery exhaust was only visible for a short while before disappearing into thick clouds. However, long after it was out of view – it made its journey known through its roar. The vibration was so visceral that vehicles and windows of buildings in the immediate area began to rattle with the raw power that was unleashed.


The massive Delta IV makes its presence known - even from a distance of several miles. Photo Credit: Universe Today/Alan Walters - awaltersphoto.com

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Sunday's launch is the third successful flight for the Delta IV Heavy. Photo Credit: Universe Today/Alan Walters - awaltersphoto.com

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1CL5trg1U[/youtube]


One more video :
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58IQ5V9Nqgg[/youtube]


ok, two :roll: :
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDqHL56BDPY[/youtube]