A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches on the Department of Defenses Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. The missions Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6) spacecraft hosts NASAs Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
LCRD Is On Its Way!
The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) objective has successfully launched, completed 2 Centaur engine burns, and is on its method! The Department of Defenses (DOD) Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission sent two satellites consisting of the Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6) spacecraft, which hosted 2 NASA payloads– LCRD and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder– to area. STPSat-6 is arranged to separate from Centaur into geosynchronous orbit in about 6 hours.
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The first primary engine cutoff, or MECO-1, is confirmed for the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rockets Centaur upper phase. It will coast in this preliminary Earth orbit for the next hour before the second burn begins.
The Atlas released the Department of Defenses (DOD) Space Test Program 3 (STP-3), which hosts NASAs Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder.
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The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket has actually rejected its five strong rocket boosters and is approaching payload fairing jettison.
At this moment in its ascent, the Atlas V is burning propellant at a rate of 2,000 pounds per 2nd, traveling more than 7,500 miles per hour and situated 64 miles in elevation and 150 miles down range.
Main engine cutoff will take place about a minute after booster jettison, followed shortly by Atlas Centaur separation.
We have liftoff! At 5:19 a.m., United Launch Alliances Atlas V 551 rocket is on its way to orbit, carrying satellites and technology experiments on the Department of Defense and U.S. Space Forces Space Test Program 3 objective.
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Liftoff!
We have liftoff! At 5:19 a.m., United Launch Alliances Atlas V 551 rocket is on its method to orbit, bring satellites and technology experiments on the Department of Defense and U.S. Space Forces Space Test Program 3 mission.
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5 Minutes to Launch– Everything Looking Good to Go
Introduce preparations are underway, and we are still on track for liftoff at 5:19 a.m. for the Department of Defenses (DOD) Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) objective, managed by the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC), from Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket will bring satellites and technology experiments, consisting of NASA payload Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder.
Currently, no problems are being tracked, and there is a 90% chance of beneficial weather for liftoff.
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Updated Launch Time
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket bring the Department of Defenses Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission is seen illuminated by spotlights at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The objectives Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6) spacecraft hosts NASAs Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
Launch preparations are underway, but since of high velocity upper level winds the brand-new launch time is 5:19 a.m. EST for the Department of Defenses (DOD) Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission, managed by the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC), from Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket will carry satellites and technology experiments, including NASA payload Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder, to area.
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A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches on the Department of Defenses Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) objective from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. The objectives Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6) spacecraft hosts NASAs Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder. The Department of Defenses (DOD) Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) objective sent out two satellites consisting of the Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6) spacecraft, which hosted 2 NASA payloads– LCRD and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder– to area. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Department of Defenses Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission is seen illuminated by spotlights at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket and the United States Space Forces STP-3 objective on launch day.
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A Look at Whats on Board
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket and the United States Space Forces STP-3 objective on launch day. The mission hosts NASAs Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC). Credit: NASA
Todays Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) objective consists of innovation experiments from government, military, and research institutions consisting of two NASA payloads that will help advance the future of space exploration. NASAs primary payload, hosted on the U.S. Department of Defenses Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6) spacecraft, is the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD).
Like innovation presentations that have actually come before it, LCRD is a huge action toward making functional laser, or optical, interactions a reality. About the size of a king-size mattress, LCRD will send and receive data over infrared lasers at 1.2 gigabits per second from geosynchronous orbit to Earth.
That “speed” (or, more properly, data rate) is appealing for future human expedition and science objectives. The systems also offer a smaller plan– laser communications systems can take up less area, weight, and power on a spacecraft.
LCRD will help make all of that a truth. The mission will operate for at least 2 years. It will begin off “talking” with ground stations in California and Hawaii to test the unnoticeable, near-infrared lasers. Engineers will beam information to and from the satellite (located more than 22,000 miles above Earth) to fine-tune the transmission process, research study various operational situations, and perfect tracking systems. The details and data are essential for readying a laser interactions system for an operational mission, as we cant replicate the very same conditions with tests on the ground. LCRD will likewise study the results of clouds (a factor that doesnt impact existing space-to-ground interactions) and other potential disruptions to determine feasible options.
LCRD will likewise help NASA update how astronauts interact to and from area. Later in the mission, LCRD will perform optical communications relays with a future terminal on the International Space Station. As NASA goes back to the Moon, laser communications can empower sustainable interactions architectures and assistance set us up for a human existence at Mars.
Take a within check out the advancement of LCRD with a laser interactions reveal from NASA EDGE.
NASAs The Invisible Network podcast will debut an unique LCRD series today, with extra episodes released over the following 4 Wednesdays. The podcast will highlight the future of the laser communications innovations shown by this objective and the individuals behind it.
Also riding on STPSat-6 is a joint NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory experiment dedicated to studying the origins of solar energetic particles (SEPs)– the Suns a lot of hazardous form of radiation.
NASA heliophysics objectives study a large, interconnected system from the Sun to the space surrounding Earth and other planets, and to the farthest limitations of the Suns constantly flowing stream of solar wind. UVSC Pathfinder supplies key details on SEPs, making it possible for future space expedition.
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The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket and the United States Space Forces STP-3 objective rest on Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral at sundown. Credit: United Launch Alliance
U.S. Space Forces Space Systems Command STP-3 Mission
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket stands ready for liftoff at Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) for the U.S. Space Forces (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) objective, which hosts NASAs Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder.
Introduce is arranged for 4:04 a.m. EST this morning, with a two-hour launch window. Follow along on NASA Television for the live broadcast.
Meteorologists with the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron anticipate a more than 90% possibility of favorable weather condition for liftoff.
Heres a take a look at a few of todays countdown and ascent turning points. Perpetuity are approximate:
COUNTDOWNHr/Min/Sec Event– 00:55:00 Start flight control final preparations to raise hydraulic pressures– 00:45:00 Pressurize Main Engine Pneumatic System to flight pressure– 00:16:00 Initiate fuel fill series– 00:10:00 Weather rundown with Atlas Launch Weather Officer– 00:05:00 Fuel fill series is total; water deluge system actuation pressure change is carried out; Atlas L02 at flight level; Centaur L02 at Flight level; Centaur LH2 at flight level– 00:04:00 Hazardous gas tracking is complete; automated computer sequencer takes control for all crucial occasions through liftoff; Atlas first phase LO2 replenishment is protected, allowing the tank to be pressurized for flight– 00:03:00 Atlas tanks reach flight pressure– 00:02:00 Atlas first phase and Centaur upper stage switch to internal power; L02 and LH2 topping for Centaur will drop in 10 seconds– 00:01:30 Launch control system is allowed
LAUNCH AND SPACECRAFT DEPLOYMENTAll Times ApproximateHr/Min/Sec Event00:00:00.1 RD-180 Engine Ignition00:00:01.1 Liftoff of the Atlas V00:00:03.9 Begin Pitch/Yaw Maneuver00:00:34.7 Mach 100:00:48.7 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical tension on the rocket) 00:01:46.7 Solid rocket booster jettison00:03:30.2 Payload fairing jettison00:04:27.4 Atlas booster engine cutoff (BECO) 00:04:33.4 Atlas Centaur separation00:04:43.3 Centaur first main engine start (MES-1) 00:10:38.4 Centaur initially main engine cutoff (MECO-1) 01:07:22.1 Centaur 2nd primary engine start (MES-2) 01:12:25.6 Centaur second primary engine cutoff (MECO-2) 06:24:48.2 Centaur 3rd main engine start (MES-3) 06:27:26.3 Centaur 3rd primary engine cutoff (MECO-3) 06:30:15.4 STPSat-6 Separation07:10:02.4 LDPE-1 Separation08:08:02.3 End of objective
