Delta IV Heavy Launch Moved to January 6

A Delta IV takes off from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg AFB on June 27, 2006 (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Quinton Russ)

By United Launch Alliance

December 29, 2018

 

LAUNCH UPDATE: The United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-71 mission will launch no earlier than Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019. The mission will launch from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

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By East Beach

December 20, 2018

 

This image was made just prior to the scrub of Wednesday’s NROL-71 launch from the top of East Camino Cielo near Painted Cave. The time was ~5:32 PM (about 10 minutes before the scheduled launch window). The camera is pointed at 280 degrees azimuth with Cachuma Lake in the foreground. Less than a minute before the image was captured, a streak of (vertically oriented?) light appeared and then a “poof” of vapor/smoke.  At the time, I assumed it was a flare or small rocket to evaluate atmospheric winds. Altitudes are difficult to judge at great distances. Hopefully someone will be able to tell us what it actually was!

 

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Update by Vandenberg Air Force Base

December 20, 2018

The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-71 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office was scrubbed yesterday due to indications of elevated hydrogen concentrations within the port booster engine section.

The team is currently reviewing all data and set the next launch attempt no earlier than Dec. 30, 2018.

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Update by Vandenberg Air Force Base

December 19, 2018

 

6:30 p.m.

The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-71 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office was scrubbed today due to indications of elevated hydrogen concentrations within the port booster engine section.

The team is prepping for a 24-hour turn around on Thursday, Dec. 20, from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The forecast shows a 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch is planned for 5:31 p.m. PST

9:00 a.m.

This evening’s planned launch of a Delta IV Heavy rocket from Vandenberg AFB appears to be on schedule. Liftoff is slated for 5:44 p.m. PST from south Vandenberg. The most recent weather forecast called for an 80% probability of acceptable weather at launch time.

If the sky is clear, the launch could be visible over a wide area. Computer simulations by Rick Balrdridge show if the rocket is launched on time, it will climb into sunlight at high altitude during the powered portion of the launch at T+ 4 minutes 20 seconds. In other words, the rocket’s exhaust plume should be illuminated by the sun with a dark sky as a background.

For launch and countdown status and launch coverage, go to:
https://spaceflightnow.com
www.ulalaunch.com
www.youtube.com/unitedlaunchalliance

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Update by Vandenberg Air Force Base

December 18, 2018

The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-71 payload for the National Reconnaissance Office was scrubbed today due to high ground winds.

The next launch attempt is planned for Wed., Dec. 19, from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The forecast indicates an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The targeted launch time is 5:44 p.m. PST.

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Update by United Launch Alliance

December 17, 2018

 

Everything is progressing toward the ULA Delta IV Heavy launch carrying the NROL-71 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The mission is set to lift off on a Delta IV Heavy rocket on Tuesday, Dec. 18 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Today’s forecast shows a 20 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 5:57 p.m. PST

 

Live broadcast coverage of launch will begin at 5:37 p.m. PST on Dec. 18.
Live launch updates and webcast available at:  www.ulalaunch.com

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Update by Vandenberg Air Force Base

December 13, 2018

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-71 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office is set to launch on Tuesday, Dec. 18. The mission will lift off on a Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch time is 5:57 p.m. PST.

Further details will be provided regarding remote camera set up and launch coverage.

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Update by Vandenberg Air Force Base

December 8, 2018

The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-71 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office was scrubbed today due to an issue with a redundant communication link between the control center and the launch site.   

The team is prepping for a 24-hour turn around on Saturday, Dec. 8, from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The forecast shows a 60 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 8:06 p.m. PT.

Team Vandenberg is scheduled to support the launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-6 on Friday, Dec. 7, with a launch window opening at 8:19 p.m. PST.  

Col. Bob Reeves, 30th Space Vice Wing commander, will be the space launch commander. 

“Team V has put in a lot of hard work for this launch,” said Reeves. “We are dedicated to mission success and proud to work alongside United Launch Alliance and the National Reconnaissance Office.”

The 4th Space Launch Squadron executes integrated launch operations with a focus on mission assurance for this spacelift mission.  

“Every mission is unique and this Delta IV Heavy launch is a prime example of teamwork with a laser focus on mission success,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Decker, 4th SLS commander and Air Force Launch Director for the mission.

“Our mission assurance technicians and engineers have worked diligently with United Launch Alliance and the other mission partners to reduce risk in order to assure mission safety and security.  The men and women of the 4 SLS are proud to contribute to this important mission.”