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Launch Detail
Pulling launch timing, vehicle context, weather signals, and mission evidence.
Launch detail
United Launch Alliance • Atlas V 551 • Space Launch Complex 41 (FL)

United Launch Alliance • Atlas V 551 • SLC-41
Classified payload for the US Space Force.

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Classified payload for the US Space Force.
Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with Boeing. Each Atlas V rocket uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen to power its first stage and an American-built RL10 engine burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its Centaur upper stage. The RD-180 engines are provided by RD Amross, while Aerojet Rocketdyne provides both the RL10 engines and the strap-on boosters used in some configurations. The standard payload fairing sizes are 4 or 5 meters in diameter and of various lengths. Fairings sizes as large as 7.2 m in diameter and up to 32.3 m in length have been considered. The rocket is assembled in Decatur, Alabama and Harlingen, Texas.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.
Provider, rocket, pad, and booster history tied to this launch.
6dd5a0560fd7a92516411d7e3a54326fa2ad59ef6b3da5be119de121eee6bc14Linked via Spaceflight News API (SNAPI).
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