The launch of the MUOS 3 satellite is currently scheduled to take place on the 20 January during a window of 19:43 to 20:26 EST from LC-41 at Cape Canaveral. Current weather predictions indicate a 70% chance of go for launch on Tuesday.
The Atlas 5 rocket, operated by ULA, will deliver the satellite to orbit. The rocket will be in a 551 configuration, which means there will be five strap-on solid rocket boosters and a five metre nose cone. The Centaur upper stage will be used to deliver the MUOS 3 satellite into an initial orbit about three hours after launch. The satellite itself will then manoeuvre itself into its final geostationary orbit
This will be the first of thirteen missions to be conducted by ULA in 2015. This is one down from what was executed last year, an impressive fourteen launches. Indeed, ULA CEO Tony Bruno hailed last year as being a “banner year” for ULA.
The Atlas 5 rocket, operated by ULA, will deliver the satellite to orbit. The rocket will be in a 551 configuration, which means there will be five strap-on solid rocket boosters and a five metre nose cone. The Centaur upper stage will be used to deliver the MUOS 3 satellite into an initial orbit about three hours after launch. The satellite itself will then manoeuvre itself into its final geostationary orbit
This will be the first of thirteen missions to be conducted by ULA in 2015. This is one down from what was executed last year, an impressive fourteen launches. Indeed, ULA CEO Tony Bruno hailed last year as being a “banner year” for ULA.
MUOS stands for Mobile User Objective System. The system is a next-generation tactical satellite communications system designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. MUOS will provide military users more communications capability over existing systems, including simultaneous voice, video and data - similar to the capabilities experienced today with smart phones.
A live broadcast will begin at 19:23 EST (00:23 UTC) on the ULA webcast.
A live broadcast will begin at 19:23 EST (00:23 UTC) on the ULA webcast.