Updates: Sunday's ULA Atlas V launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Update: Liftoff of ULA's Atlas V SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 8:47 a.m. EDT Sunday, Sept. 10. Read our full post-launch story here.
After a scrub early Saturday morning due to "an issue found during a prelaunch ordnance circuit continuity check," United Launch Alliance teams at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are working toward Sunday morning launch of an Atlas V rocket with a secretive payload for the Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office, a delay of 24 hours.
Liftoff on Sunday of the NROL-107 mission occured at 8:47 a.m. EDT Sunday from Launch Complex 41. Weather conditions for liftoff were projected as 90% "go" by the Space Force.
Watch a replay of the launch above.
Updates from Sunday's event below:
ULA NROL-107/SILENTBARKER liftoff
Liftoff!
8:47 a.m. EDT: Lifotff of ULA's Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for today's SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission on its way to geosynchronous orbit.
"Go" for launch:
8:41 a.m. EDT: At the final status poll, ULA reports "go" for launch of the Atlas V 551 rocket and the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
T-minus 10 minutes until ULA rocket launch today:
8:37 a.m. EDT: United Launch Alliance teams are working toward an 8:47 a.m. EDT liftoff of an Atlas V rocket with a secret payload for the Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Everything remains "go" for launch, and the weather was last calculated at a 95% chance of "go" conditions.
This will be the 18th and final NRO launch on Atlas V since 2007.
More about today's payload from ULA: "SILENTBARKER is designed to detect and maintain custody of space objects. This capability enables Indications & Warnings of threats against high-value assets in geosynchronous orbit.
Ground-based observation of objects in geosynchronous orbit are limited by distance, geography and weather. By operating in geosynchronous orbit, SILENTBARKER overcomes these limitations and minimizes the observation gaps in geosynchronous orbit."
Thirty minutes until ULA rocket launch today:
8:17 a.m. EDT: Just thirty minutes remain in today's countdown ahead of the 8:47 a.m. EDT liftoff of the Atlas V of the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission for the Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office from Launch Complex 41 Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Everything remains "go" for launch, the rocket continues to remain fully fueled, and the weather is still looking great!
Weather is observed and forecast GO for liftoff a half-hour from now, according to the countdown's final planned briefing by weather officer Brian Cizek. Live reports from the Cape: https://t.co/Ai6FpF8xfx pic.twitter.com/caYCPMEkMv
— ULA (@ulalaunch) September 10, 2023
Atlas V fully fueled ahead of liftoff:
8:00 a.m. EDT: Fueling of the Atlas V booster and Centaur V upper stage is now complete. According to ULA the rocket now weighs 1,292,221 pounds. The cryogenics will continue to be replenished in "topping mode" now through liftoff which is still on target for 8:47 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
We are now in the phase of #AtlasV fueling that tops off the tanks to give us a 1,292,221-pound (586,142-kg) rocket for launch at 8:47amEDT (1247 UTC) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. https://t.co/Ai6FpF8xfx pic.twitter.com/8DrydPw6Yy
— ULA (@ulalaunch) September 10, 2023
Under one hour until liftoff:
7:51 a.m. EDT: Under one hour remaining in the countdown, and everything remains on track and "go" for liftoff of the Atlas V SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station targeted for 8:47 a.m. EDT. Check the graphic below for when you'll be able to see today's launch.
Centaur upper stage fueling complete:
7:45 a.m. EDT: The fueling of the Centaur upper stage with liquid oxygen has wrapped up. Topping mode will now continue throughout the remainder of the countdown to keep it fully fueled at flight level.
ULA is reporting that there are no issues being worked with the rocket, and weather conditions around the spaceport remain "go" for liftoff.
Atlas V first stage fueling complete:
7:30 a.m. EDT: ULA teams have completed flowing liquid oxygen into the Atlas V booster. A process called "topping mode" will remain underway from now until liftoff to constantly refill any of the superchilled propellants that may boil off in the humid Florida air to ensure that the booster stays fully fueled at flight level throughout the entire countdown.
Simultaneously, the fueling of the Centaur upper stage is also underway. That process is about 60% complete.
Welcome to live coverage:
7:15 a.m. EDT: Good morning. Welcome to our Space Team live coverage of today's ULA Atlas V liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, currently targeted for 8:47 a.m. EDT. ULA is already in the process of flowing liquid oxygen into the main tank of the Atlas V booster. That is about 50% complete.
So far, everything is on track and weather conditions for liftoff remain "go."
The first hints of dawn over the #AtlasV rocket this morning at Cape Canaveral. All systems remain GO for liftoff of #SILENTBARKER / #NROL107 at 8:47amEDT (1247 UTC). https://t.co/Ai6FpF8xfx pic.twitter.com/UL9Rngm9Tc
— ULA (@ulalaunch) September 10, 2023
What you need to know: ULA targeting Sunday for liftoff
The national security mission, dubbed SILENTBARKER/NROL-107, is a joint effort between the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. The payloads are part of the Space Force's Silent Barker satellite constellation network intended to provide space situational awareness, orbital surveillance, and tracking.
The 196-foot Atlas V is the most powerful configuration in ULA's fleet, outfitted with five side-mounted solid rocket boosters to send the secretive payload directly to geosynchronous orbit about 24,000 miles above the Earth.
"This is our "Bruiser" configuration of the Atlas," ULA CEO Tory Bruno said. "When you hear "4, 3, 2, 1, ignition," do not blink because it will leap off the pad."
Liftoff is set for 8:47 a.m. EDT on Sunday from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. If schedules hold, this would become the Space Coast's 48th launch this year.
Weather conditions look great for liftoff Sunday:
"Launch weather conditions generally look favorable in the morning hours, with light southerlyflow and most of the diurnal shower/storm activity focused over the Atlantic waters," forecasters said Saturday. "The primary concern is the small risk of a Cumulus Cloud Rule violation from a coastal shower.
Forecasters last projected a 90% chance of "go" conditions for liftoff Sunday morning.
"The weather pattern looks very similar for the backup day Monday morning, with again the relatively small risk of a Cumulus Cloud Rule violation," forecasters said.
Everything you need to know:
The NROL-107 mission is slated for liftoff at 8:47 a.m. EDT on Sunday.
Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will host.
The SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission is United Launch Alliance's second launch this year.
The payloads are part of the Space Force's Silent Barker satellite constellation network intended to provide space situational awareness, orbital surveillance, and tracking.
The 196-foot Atlas V rocket is outfitted with five side-mounted solid rocket boosters.
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The rocket will fly on an easterly trajectory over the Atlantic Ocean.
The Atlas V is fully expendable, meaning there are no landing or recovery efforts with this mission or sonic booms.
Weather for liftoff on Sunday is projected to be 90% "go."
If it launches on time, this will be the Space Coast's 48th launch this year.
When is the next launch from Florida?
More SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink missions are expected to be launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station next week, but the company hasn't yet announced when the next mission is targeted to liftoff. For the latest schedule updates, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Contact Jamie Groh at JGroh@floridatoday.com and follow her on X at @AlteredJamie.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Updates: Sunday's ULA Atlas V launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida
