Atlas V – NROL-36 On track for a Thursday launch from Vandenberg AFS

NROL-36 Mission Badge (Credit ULA)

The much delayed launch of the National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite is scheduled for a new attempt on Thursday 13th September at 2:39pm PDT (21:39 GMT).  The initial scrub was called due to a small incompatibility with the range tracking transmitter on the Atlas V rocket.

This was cleared for flight and the new launch attempt was arranged for Thursday.  According to United Launch Alliance the weather is expected to be 100% go at launch time.  An early afternoon launch time is ideal as it allows the early morning oceanic weather to dissipate providing good clear skies with about 10% cloud cover.  If a scrub should occur then the weather prospects for a Friday launch are exactly the same.  It is a long time since we have had a 100% GO forecast weather for two consecutive days.

The Atlas V rocket is in the 401 configuration with a 4 Metre payload fairing, no strap-on solid rocket boosters and a single Centaur upper stage.