LAUNCH TIME | July 2, 2022 - 00:00 → 02:00 |
LAUNCH PROVIDER | United Launch Alliance |
CUSTOMER | U.S. Space Force & U.S. Department of Defense |
ROCKET | Atlas V 541 |
LAUNCH SITE | Space Launch Complex 41 - Cape Canaveral, Florida |
PAYLOAD MASS | 4,100 Kg |
DESTINATION | Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) |
LANDING SITE | Il booster e gli SRBs si schianteranno nell'Oceano Atlantico |
WEATHER | 90% (45th Weather Squadron) |
ULA will launch two satellites for Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Department of Defense (DoD).
What's on board?
The primary payload of the USSF-12 is the US Space Force SSC's Wide Field of View (WFOV) test rig, with a secondary payload for DoD's STP.
The WFOV Test Bench is a demonstrator of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) technology that will demonstrate the effectiveness of its 6-degree fixation sensor called Wide-Area Six-Degree Payload (WASP). The WFOV will be able to carry out strategic and tactical missions, such as battle space awareness and missile alarm, and to directly support fighters by monitoring the Earth's surface respectively. By searching for the path to operationalize OPIR data, the WFOV testbed will play an important role as part of the alert, localization and missile defense architecture.
It has two deployable solar panels offering a base payload power of 2500W (options up to 10kW), it is powered by a single or dual string bi-propellant and avionics propulsion system.
The USSF-12 mission's secondary payload is an ESPA Star (EELV Secondary Payload Adapter) platform built by Northrop Grumman. It has a deployable solar panel that provides 1,200W of power and a hydrazine-based hypergolic propulsion system.
The USSF-12 Ring spacecraft is a classified mission that will demonstrate future technology for the DoD.
Atlas V 541
The Atlas V is a non-reusable two-stage launch vehicle built and operated by the United Launch Alliance (ULA).
The booster The booster has a diameter of 3.8m and is 32.5m high. Powered by an RD-180 engine (with dual thrust chambers) running on RP-1 (highly purified kerosene) and liquid oxygen, the engine provides 3830kN of thrust. Four solid rocket thrusters (SRBs) generate the additional power required at takeoff, each providing 1600 kN of thrust.
The Centaur Stage The second stage Centaur has a diameter of 3m and a length of 12.6m. Centaur is powered by an RL10C-1 engine that produces 22,900 pounds (101.8 kilo-Newton) of thrust and uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to operate.
I fairings The satellite is encapsulated in a short 5m diameter payload fairing. Vehicle height with this fairing model is approximately 59.7m.
TIMELINE:
The live broadcast will begin at 11:40 pm on Thursday 30 June.
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