Atlas 2 launches NRO payload
Posted: Tue, Dec 2, 2003, 11:21 AM ET (1621 GMT)
An Atlas 2AS rocket, performing its final launch from California, placed a secret National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload into orbit early Tuesday. The Atlas 2AS lifted off from SLC-3E at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 5:02 am EST (1002 GMT). The booster released its payload into a transfer orbit 74 minutes later. No information about the nature of the payload was disclosed, although satellite experts believe the payload was two or three Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS) spacecraft. The satellites are used to track and identify ocean vessels. The launch was the last Atlas 2 mission to be launched from the West Coast: the SLC-3E launch site will now be converted to support Atlas 5 launches starting in 2005.
An Atlas 2AS rocket, performing its final launch from California, placed a secret National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload into orbit early Tuesday. The Atlas 2AS lifted off from SLC-3E at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 5:02 am EST (1002 GMT). The booster released its payload into a transfer orbit 74 minutes later. No information about the nature of the payload was disclosed, although satellite experts believe the payload was two or three Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS) spacecraft. The satellites are used to track and identify ocean vessels. The launch was the last Atlas 2 mission to be launched from the West Coast: the SLC-3E launch site will now be converted to support Atlas 5 launches starting in 2005.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX performs two Falcon 9 launches less than an hour apart
Posted: Sun, Aug 16 10:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) Virgin Galactic delays resumption of commercial flights to 2027
Posted: Sun, Aug 16 10:54 AM ET (1454 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, August 19
First spacewalk completed for Sophie Adenot
ESA — 6:43 am ET (1043 GMT) Satellite images show damage after a Ukrainian missile strike on a space center supporting Russia's Starlink rival
Business Insider — 6:42 am ET (1042 GMT) Space Force Selects Rocket Lab For Space Data Network Consortium, Awarded $12M in Contracts to Support Global Military Communications Network
Rocket Lab — 6:36 am ET (1036 GMT) USSF to Operate Legacy Weather Sats Until at Least 2028 as It Works on Replacements
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 6:36 am ET (1036 GMT) AFA Urges Congress to Fully Fund Space Force, Ramp Up F-35 Procurement
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 6:36 am ET (1036 GMT) |
