Final Atlas 2 launch a success
Posted: Wed, Sep 1, 2004, 11:20 AM ET (1520 GMT)
After four days of delays, the final Atlas 2 booster lifted off Tuesday evening to place a classified satellite into orbit. The Atlas 2AS lifted off from Pad 36A at 7:17 pm EDT (2317 GMT) Tuesday, after problems with valves on the launch pad slowed the topping off of the liquid oxygen tanks on the Atlas's first stage. The rocket's payload, a classified satellite known only as NROL-1, separated from the booster 73 minutes after launch after being placed into what appears to be a Molniya-like inclined, elliptical orbit. While the National Reconnaissance Office, which operates the payload, would not comment on the purpose of the spacecraft, outside experts suspect that it is a data relay satellite dubbed Quasar designed to transfer data from reconnaissance satellites. The launch was the last for the Atlas 2 family of boosters, which retired with a perfect record of 63 successful launches in as many attempts, dating back to 1991. The Atlas 2 is being retired to make way for the more powerful Atlas 5.
After four days of delays, the final Atlas 2 booster lifted off Tuesday evening to place a classified satellite into orbit. The Atlas 2AS lifted off from Pad 36A at 7:17 pm EDT (2317 GMT) Tuesday, after problems with valves on the launch pad slowed the topping off of the liquid oxygen tanks on the Atlas's first stage. The rocket's payload, a classified satellite known only as NROL-1, separated from the booster 73 minutes after launch after being placed into what appears to be a Molniya-like inclined, elliptical orbit. While the National Reconnaissance Office, which operates the payload, would not comment on the purpose of the spacecraft, outside experts suspect that it is a data relay satellite dubbed Quasar designed to transfer data from reconnaissance satellites. The launch was the last for the Atlas 2 family of boosters, which retired with a perfect record of 63 successful launches in as many attempts, dating back to 1991. The Atlas 2 is being retired to make way for the more powerful Atlas 5.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
California commission votes against increase in SpaceX Vandenberg launches
Posted: Sun, Aug 17 11:32 AM ET (1532 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, August 23
Abu Dhabi’s Starlink competitor has big plans for Africa - including beter maps
Bloomberg News — 7:46 am ET (1146 GMT) Blue Origin to launch over 40 payloads into space
KVIA-TV El Paso, TX — 7:45 am ET (1145 GMT) Could SpaceX take over more land in South Texas?
Houston Chronicle — 7:43 am ET (1143 GMT) Voyager Appoints SpaceX Veteran Sam Patel as Strategic Advisor
Business Wire — 7:42 am ET (1142 GMT) FAA to Take Public Comments on Impact of Allowing Starship Launches from Kennedy Space Center
ViaSatellite — 7:42 am ET (1142 GMT) |
