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Posts tagged RBSP

NASAs Atlas V – RBSP Launch postponed until 30th August

Aug25
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
RBSP mission badge (Credit ULA)

RBSP mission badge (Credit ULA)

Following todays failed launch attempt the Mission Management team have discussed the prospects for launching the Atlas V with twin RBSP spacecraft in the next few days.  Bearing in mind that Hurricane Isaac is hurtling across the Caribbean and heading for landfall on the south west coast of Florida in the early hours of Monday morning the managers have decided to wait out the storm.

The Atlas V will be rolled back to the Vertical Integration Facility for protection from the outer edges of the Hurricane as it passes through. The new launch date has been reset for Thursday August 30th at 4:05 EDT (8:05 GMT).  This needs final confirmation after obtaining approval from the range.

With this launch date it is likely that the rocket will be rolled out to the launch pad again on Tuesday when Hurricane Isaac will be making landfall once again on the Panhandle in the northern part of Florida.

The official statement from ULA follows:  READ MORE »

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS, Kennedy Space Center, ULA - Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Weather prevents Atlas V – RBSP Launch today.

Aug25
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Moments after the launch was scrubbed the Atlas 5 remains on the launch pad. (Credit NASA TV)

Moments after the launch was scrubbed the Atlas 5 remains on the launch pad. (Credit NASA TV)

Once again NASA’s RBSP launch on an Atlas V has been scrubbed today.  This time the problem was weather violating 4 launch criteria rules as a storm moved onto the cape 45 minutes before T-0. Up until that time the launch had been running smoothly with no problems at all.

The Mission management team are currently safeing the Atlas V booster and Centaur upper stage.  The team will then recycle the rocket in preparation for a launch tomorrow 26th August at 4:07 EST (8:07 GMT).  The weather outlook for tomorrow is the same as today with a 40% chance of violating the launch rules.

The range beacon issue from yesterdays failed launch attempt was determined to be a transponder on the Atlas V rocket.  This was transmitting signals slightly out of specifications. After discussions with the Range Safety Officers it was determined that the launch could continue with the existing hardware.

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS, Kennedy Space Center, ULA - Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

NASA’s Atlas V – RBSP Launch scrubbed today

Aug24
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Atlas V RBSP being safed on launch pad after scrub (Credit NASA TV)

Atlas V RBSP being safed on launch pad after scrub (Credit NASA TV)

Early this morning the Atlas V carrying the twin Radiation Belt Storm Probe spacecraft started the countdown to launch early this morning. After experiencing a small problem with a fuel valve the countdown continued smoothly and entered the programmed hold at T-4.

It was during this hold that a problem was found with a critical range tracking beacon. Unfortunately this was unable to be resolved within the available time causing the launch to be scrubbed. There was no issue with the Atlas V, Centaur or the RBSP spacecraft.

The range tracking beacon is one of the few instruments that allow engineers to monitor the flight of the rocket on its way into orbit. This is a mandatory item on the checklist and failure means an automatic hold in the countdown process.

The launch has been rescheduled for 4:07am EDT (8:07 GMT) tomorrow 25th August, pending successful diagnosis and resolution of the range tracking beacon. The weather forecast indicates a 60% chance of good conditions at launch time.

The official scrub statement from ULA and some more launch pad photos follow: READ MORE »

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS, Kennedy Space Center, ULA - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

NASA RBSP spacecraft on Atlas V Rocket moves to the Launch Pad

Aug23
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
An Atlas V rocket carrying the RBSP spacecraft emerges from the Vertical Integration Facility

An Atlas V rocket carrying the RBSP spacecraft emerges from the Vertical Integration Facility

Standing at 189 feet high the mighty Atlas V with NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes emerges from the Vertical Integration Facility at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launch complex 41 on its way to the launch pad. The rocket is moved to the pad on twin rails taking about 30 minutes to complete the 650 yard trip.

In the early Floridian light the mobile launch platform and supporting vehicles slowly trundle up the road to the launch pad in preparation for Friday’s early morning launch. Once on the pad the MLP is secured and the service infrastructure components are transferred to the fixed launch pad. The rocket is now ready for fuelling as part of the countdown process that will start just before 9pm (EST) this evening.

Fuelling is scheduled to start just before 2am (EST) Friday morning with the night launch targeted for 4:07am (EST) 8:30 GMT. There is a 20 minute window for launching the rocket which gives a little leeway for bad weather or a small technical glitch.

The chances of weather cancelling the launch have improved from 40% to 30% with cloud thickness being the main concern at this time. The weather at launch time is forecast for scattered low and high level clouds and light winds from the south east.

Our image gallery of the rollout and launch pad follows:  READ MORE »

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS, Images, Kennedy Space Center - Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Best places to view the NASA RBSP Atlas V Launch from

Aug21
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Atlas V NROL-38 : Starting the climb to space

Atlas V NROL-38 : Starting the climb to space

If you are planning to view the Atlas V launch of NASA’s RBSP Atlas V spacecraft on Friday then by far the best place off Cape Canaveral AFS property is going to be on SR-401 behind Port Canaveral cruise docks where the launch complex is just over 11 miles away.  There may be a few issues with buildings blocking the view of the pad from there, but a good view should be available if you move around a bit.  The Xenon spotlights will guide you to the launch pad.

Failing that then the Max Brewer Bridge can offer a good view of the launch from the top of Titusville.  It is 13 miles from the launch pad so the sound of the launch will not be great, but with the elevation you should be able to see the pad and get a great view of the launch.  The pad should be lit up with Xenon spotlights, but if you look about half way between the VAB and LC-39A you should be able to see the LC-39 viewing platform and just to the left of that but further back is LC-41. READ MORE »

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS, Kennedy Space Center, Rocket Launch Companies, ULA - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

NASA Atlas V – RBSP Launch delayed until Friday 24th August

Aug21
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
RBSP mission badge (Credit ULA)

RBSP mission badge (Credit ULA)

The Atlas V launch that was scheduled for lift-off on Thursday morning has been delayed one day until Friday 24th August due to a technical issue.  The launch window opens at 4:07 EST (8:07 GMT) and extends for 20 minutes.

During testing of a different Atlas V rocket booster at the ULA manufacturing plant in Decatur a problem was identified in the mechanics that provide the steering of the rocket engine.  ULA technicians are examining the booster to ensure that the NASA RBSP craft does not have similar issues.

To date the Atlas V has has a 100% success record with 31 launches in the various configurations.  The majority of which have flown in the NASA RBSP’s Atlas V 401 configuration with a 4 metre payload fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single Centaur upper stage.

The official delay statement from ULA follows: READ MORE »

Posted in Atlas V, ULA - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

NASA prepares to launch Atlas V carrying RBSP on Aug 23rd

Aug17
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
RBSP spacecraft stacked on top of an Atlas V rocket (credit NASA)

RBSP spacecraft stacked on top of an Atlas V rocket (credit NASA)

The next launch from Kennedy Space Center will be the Radiation Belt Storm Probe mission from NASA.  Ever since the first rockets were launched back in 1958 rocket scientists were aware of the radiation belts, but over 50 years on we still know little about them.

The Van Allen radiation belt is named after its discoverer James Van Allen, and consists of 2 donut shaped rings of highly energetic charged particles that surround the Earth.  The belts are thought to be be created and maintained by capturing particles from the solar winds.  The outer belt is comprised of charged electrons, whilst the inner belt contains both protons and electrons.  The belts can vary in size dramatically dependant on the solar conditions.

The Radiation Belt Storm Probe (RBSP) mission is designed to examine the radiation belts and determine the effect that they have on both humans and spacecraft.  It has been a well known fact the the radiation belts interfere with and can damage the sensitive electronics of spacecraft, particularly satellites that operate within them.

Continue to read more on the RBSP mission and view an introductory video and image gallery. READ MORE »

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS, Images, Kennedy Space Center, ULA, Video - Tagged , , , , , , ,

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Next Launch GPS IIF-4 on a Alas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFB, FL scheduled for 15 May 13 21:38:00 GMT

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STS-133 Discovery 1st Rollout 5
STS-133 Discovery 1st Rollout 5

KSC Launch Pad iPhone App

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