Update for Dec. 7, 3:58 am ET: The United Launch Alliance is now targeting a 5:19 a.m. EST (1019 GMT) launch time for todays Space Test Project 3 mission bring NASAs Laser Communications Relay Demonstration satellite and Space Force payloads. The launch was delayed one day due to a leakage in a ground propellant system for the rockets RP-1 fuel.The Atlas V rocket will launch the STP-3 objective for the U.S. Space Force from Space Launch Complex 41 of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. (Image credit: United Launch Alliance) Mission OverviewA United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket will introduce the Space Test Program-3 (STP-3) mission for the U.S. Space Forces (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC). STP-3 is a co-manifested objective that develops innovation and minimizes future space program risk for the Department of the Air Force and the U.S. Space Force by advancing warfighting capabilities in the locations of nuclear detonation detection, space domain awareness (SDA), weather condition, and interaction. The STPSat-6 payloads consisting of the Space and Atmospheric Burst Reporting System 3 (SABRS-3), an operational objective from the National Nuclear Security Administration, NASAs Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD) payload to evaluate innovations for the next generation of information relay satellites, and a number of Department of Defense Space Experiments Review Board space weather and situational awareness payloads.
Update for Dec. 7, 3:58 am ET: The United Launch Alliance is now targeting a 5:19 a.m. EST (1019 GMT) launch time for todays Space Test Project 3 mission bring NASAs Laser Communications Relay Demonstration satellite and Space Force payloads. The launch was pressed back an hour due to upper level winds.A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will release the Space Test Program 3 objective for the U.S. military and NASA early Monday, Dec. 6, and you can see it live. Liftoff is at 4:04 a.m. EST (0904 GMT). The launch was delayed one day due to a leak in a ground propellant system for the rockets RP-1 fuel.The Atlas V rocket will introduce the STP-3 objective for the U.S. Space Force from Space Launch Complex 41 of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The objectives main satellite is the STP Satellite 6, or STP-6, which carries a number of various experiments, consisting of the Space and Atmospheric Burst Reporting System 3, a functional payload designed to track nuclear detonation detection system, NASAs Laser Communication Relay Demonstration for area interactions innovation and other area weather and situational awareness payloads. STP-3 is also carrying the Long Duration Propulsive Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Secondary Payload Adapter, or LDPE-1, a platform carrying a number of experiments that is created to stay in orbit for approximately 3 years. A United Launch Alliance rocket bring the STP-3 mission for the U.S. military, consisting of a NASA laser space interactions experiment, stands atop its pad at Space Launch Copmlex 41 of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for a Dec. 5, 2021 launch. (Image credit: United Launch Alliance) Mission OverviewA United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket will launch the Space Test Program-3 (STP-3) objective for the U.S. Space Forces (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC). STP-3 is a co-manifested mission that matures innovation and reduces future space program threat for the Department of the Air Force and the U.S. Space Force by advancing warfighting abilities in the locations of nuclear detonation detection, space domain awareness (SDA), weather, and communication. Both spacecraft will be delivered to geosynchronous orbit. Liftoff will take place from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.The primary spacecraft is STP Satellite (STPSat) -6 and the rideshare spacecraft is the Long Duration Propulsive Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) (LDPE) – 1. Both spacecraft were developed by Northrop Grumman. The STPSat-6 payloads including the Space and Atmospheric Burst Reporting System 3 (SABRS-3), a functional mission from the National Nuclear Security Administration, NASAs Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD) payload to test technologies for the next generation of information relay satellites, and a number of Department of Defense Space Experiments Review Board area weather and situational awareness payloads. LDPE-1 is created for a 1-3 year objective life and carries speculative payloads. The experiments are intended for quick risk reduction efforts to notify future programs.The STP-3 mission debuts 3 engineering features designed to minimize risk and build up flight experience prior to use on the Vulcan Centaur, these consist of Out-of-Autoclave (OoA) payload fairings, an in-flight power system and GPS improved navigation.The OoA payload fairing was developed with a brand-new production technique, an alternative process to treat carbon fiber composites, which permits a more efficient production process, lower cost and lower system mass while preserving the exact same level of reliability and quality.The Atlas V is also equipped with a new In-Flight Power System (IFPS). This system provides power to the satellites batteries throughout the rockets long duration climb, a mission more than 7 hours. The IFPS will make sure the spacecraft have totally charged batteries when deployed into geosynchronous orbit.GPS Enhanced Navigation is an extra first flight product that utilizes existing flight computer system hardware to provide GPS signals that improve the Centaurs navigation system performance, enabling the Centaur to attain much more precise orbits. ISS Live! Tune in to the area stationFind out what the astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station depend on by tuning in to the “ISS Live” broadcast. Hear discussions in between the team and objective controllers on Earth and enjoy them work inside the U.S. sector of the orbiting laboratory. When the crew is off task, you can enjoy live views of Earth from Space. You can listen and enjoy in the window below, thanks to NASA.” Live video from the International Space Station consists of internal views when the crew is on-duty and Earth views at other times. The video is accompanied by audio of conversations in between the team and Mission Control. When the area station is in contact with the ground, this video is only available. During loss of signal durations, audiences will see a blue screen.” Since the station orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes, it experiences a dawn or a sundown about every 45 minutes. When the station is in darkness, external cam video might appear black, but can sometimes provide spectacular views of lightning or city lights listed below.” Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook..