A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 541 rocket has accomplished the launch of the USSF-12 mission for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC).

The USSF-12 features two satellite payloads: the Wide Field of View (WFOV) Testbed for SSC’s Space Sensing Directorate and the USSF-12 Ring spacecraft for the Defense Department’s Space Test Program.

Atlas V will deliver both spacecraft directly to GEO approximately 22,000 miles (35,500 km.) above the equator, approximately 6 hours after liftoff.

The forward payload, WFOV, is a testbed spacecraft that informs the Next Gen Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) program. The Next Gen OPIR program will succeed the Space Based Infrared Systems program and is designed to provide a resilient, space-based, global missile warning capability against emerging missile and counter-space threats.

Sponsored by Space Systems Command and managed by the NASA Ames Research Center, the mid-sized WFOV spacecraft is based on Millennium’s AQUILA M8 affordable platform series and hosts a transformational OPIR six-degree staring sensor developed under a separate contract by L3Harris Technologies.

The WFOV testbed is designed for a 3- to 5-year life with a total mass up to 6,613 lbs. (3,000 kg.) and a payload accommodation over 771 lbs. (350 kg.). WFOV’s primary mission in orbit is to explore future missile warning algorithms with data collected in space.

The aft payload is a propulsive ESPA named the USSF-12 Ring. The Ring is a classified mission to demonstrate future technology for the Department of Defense.

A direct-insertion GEO launch is one of the most challenging types of missions required by national security spaceflight. The launch vehicle performs three firings of its upper stage to deliver the payload to an altitude more than 22,000 miles over the equator without the satellites themselves needing to perform any large-scale orbit-raising maneuvers. 

Geosynchronous orbit is the location where satellites match the Earth’s rotation and remain in lockstep above the same spot of the globe as they orbit.

Powering the Centaur upper stage for this launch is the 514th production engine from the RL10 family. For more than 50 years, Aerojet Rocketdyne‘s RL10 engine has played a vital role in placing hundreds of military, government and commercial satellites into Earth orbit and has helped send spacecraft to explore every planet in our solar system.

In addition to Centaur, ULA uses RL10 on the Delta Cryogenic Second Stage for the Delta IV and in the next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket. This was the 93rd security mission in 150 flights for ULA

The launch of the United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V 541 rocket, carrying the United States Space Force (USSF)-12 mission for Space Systems Command, has been delayed to no earlier than 6:00 p.m. EDT (3 p.m. PDT) on Friday, July 1, due to inclement weather. The mission is set to launch from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 541 rocket with four, side-mounted boosters will launch the United States Space Force (USSF)-12 mission for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC).

Liftoff is scheduled to occur from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on Thursday, June 30th, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., EDT (2200 UTC).

The Atlas V rocket launching the Space Force’s USSF-12 mission features a special In-Flight Power System (IFPS) to top off the Wide Field of View (WFOV) payload’s batteries during the long ascent into orbit, and ULA electrical integration lead Jordan Gleba has worked to ensure it functions as designed.

USSF-12 is a dual-manifest mission consisting of two satellites. The upper payload is the Wide Field of View (WFOV) Testbed to demonstrate new missile warning satellite technologies. Launching in the lower position of the payload stack is the Space Test Program‘s USSF-12 Ring spacecraft.

Shepherding the requirements to deliver two innovative national security satellites into orbit aboard the same Atlas V rocket is the responsibility of Anna Ly, United Launch Alliance (ULA) mission integration systems engineer (MISE) for the United States Space Force (USSF)-12 launch.

The latest forecast from Launch Weather Officer Jessica Williams of the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron indicates a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions for this launch of the Atlas V and USSF-12.

The forecast includes scattered low clouds and a broken deck of high clouds, good visibility, scattered rain showers, southeasterly winds 12-17 knots and a temperature near 82 degrees F.

The primary area of concern will be violation to the Cumulus Cloud Rule that guards against triggered lightning.

ULA will provide live countdown status updates from launch control at the start of the countdown and continuing to spacecraft separation in geosynchronous orbit. The launch webcast starts 20 minutes before liftoff. www.ulalaunch.com

Filed Under: Atlas V, Cape Canaveral SFS, DoD, Launch, Launch Facilities, Launch Management, Launch Support, Launch Systems, Launch Vehicle, Military, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Space Force Tagged With: Featured