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ILS Successfully Launches Atlas IIAS with NRO Payload
Vandenberg AFB - Dec 03, 2003 An Atlas IIAS rocket successfully lifted off Monday at 2:04 a.m. PST (10:04 GMT) from this West Coast launch site, releasing a national security payload into transfer orbit 74 minutes later. The launch was provided by McLean, Va.-based International Launch Services (ILS), from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3E, for the U.S. Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Designated AC-164, this was the fourth Atlas mission this year, and the 67th consecutive successful Atlas flight. It also was ILS' fifth mission of 2003. "ILS is honored to have a major role in enhancing our nation's security, having now launched five NRO payloads," said ILS President Mark Albrecht. "ILS and Lockheed Martin share a long and valued partnership with the Office of Space Launch, and we take great pride in providing mission success." Albrecht added: "Now we're working toward NRO launches in 2004, 2005 and beyond, on Atlas III and Atlas V boosters from both Cape Canaveral, Fla., and from Vandenberg. With Atlas V capability at both coasts, we look forward to meeting NRO mission requirements well in the next decade." Lockheed Martin Corp. builds the Atlas family of rockets. Today's vehicle, the Atlas IIAS, can lift 8,200 pounds to geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Atlas III can lift up to 9,920 pounds, and the current -production Atlas V is available in a range of configurations to lift payloads up to 19,000 pounds. Today's mission was the final West Coast flight of the Atlas IIAS vehicle. Lockheed Martin soon will begin refurbishing Complex 3E, to accommodate Atlas V operations starting in 2005. The Atlas V family is designed both for ILS commercial missions and to meet the U.S. Air Force requirements for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV). The Atlas V vehicle has flown three commercial missions, all successfully. The first U.S. government Atlas V mission is set for 2005 with the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite #2 for the Air Force. Related Links International Launch Services SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Sea Launch Team Prepares for a Three-Launch Opener in 2004
Long Beach - Nov 25, 2003Sea Launch is currently preparing to launch the Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul 1 communications satellite for Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space and Communications, in January. This mission will be the first of three SS/L 1300 series spacecraft scheduled for launch in 2004. Following this string of missions, Sea Launch will continue launching its 2004 manifest, which currently consists of three additional missions. |
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