CollectingSP's Kerbalized Space Program- (EELV's Galore!) A Mix Of Realism, Fantasy, and Make-Believe Bureaucracy [THE RETURN! Spaceport News] (12/02/24)

[CollectingSP]

CollectingSP's Kerbalized Space Program- A Mix Of Realism, Fantasy, and Make-Believe Bureaucracy

CollectingSP's Kerbalized Space Program is Thread of the Month for April 2024!

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Hello all! In my program, there are many alternate historical timelines and fantasy components. It's been semi-active since August of 2020. The major agencies and corporations represented in my program are many of the world's real-life agencies and corporations,  such as NASA, Roscosmos, ULA and SpaceX, NGIS, and more. Most notably, I'm a fan of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) And their Delta IV program.  Payloads Launched by the contractors in my program include payloads for the Air Force/Space Force, NASA, and Commercial Customers. 

 

In my program, I practice what I like to call

EELV MADNESS!

( AKA The Practice of Using Expendable LVs for everything because I find them cool.)

 

The major (current) launch contractors-

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                     United Launch Alliance

Info About United Launch Alliance Launches- 

About Delta IV- "The Workhorse."- 11 Launches to date

Delta IV Launches are conducted from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, FL, and Launch Complex 37B, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL.

About Launch Complex 39B- Leased to ULA, Owned by NASA.

Complex 39B Previously Supported the Space shuttle and Constellation programs. In my timeline, After Constellation was canceled, ULA signed a lease to use this pad for their new Delta IV launch vehicle in 2018, and it was renovated to support the vehicle.

Vehicles processed for launch from Pad 39B are processed in either high bay three or four of the vehicle assembly building, and then transported to LC-39B on Crawler-Transporter-1, which was leased from NASA and heavily modified to support Delta IV. Pad 39B was closed from March 2021 to November 2023 for upgrades to the Complex's fixed umbilical tower (FUT) to allow the Complex to support NASA's upcoming Orion Spacecraft, which will be launched on top of ULA's Delta IV Heavy Rocket from Complex 39B.  This gives the FUT The appearance of the IRL SLC-6 Delta IV launch tower, at Vandenberg AFB, CA, with the addition of a Crew Access Arm.

Complex 39B will also be used to launch American components of the International Space Station, Which in my timeline has not been constructed yet. 

About Complex 37/Pad 37B- Leased to ULA, Owned by USSF.

 Dormant since the early years of Apollo, Pad 37B Was reconstructed From a period ranging from 2022 to 2023 as ULA realized the need for another dedicated facility on the cape for Commercial and Military Delta IV missions, as Launch Complex 39B gears up to support Orion and the upcoming International Space Station Program.

One note, as they are not built by NASA, the Russian Components of the ISS will use pad 37B as their launchpad, and Delta IV as their rocket, excluding Pirs, Poisk, and Prichal.

Vehicle Numbering Scheme-

Each Delta IV vehicle is assigned a sequential "Delta Vehicle," or DV number, to differentiate Delta IV vehicles from Delta III and Delta II vehicles processed by United Launch Alliance.

This number usually looks like "DV-###."

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                    Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems

Info About Northrop Grumman Launches- 

About Antares 240 and Complex 19- 2 Launch(es) to date

Antares is manufactured by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, which intends on using it to launch Commercial and Government Payloads, as well as to resupply the International Space Station.  Specifically, the new 240 variant will be used for launches from Florida's space coast, in which the Castor 30 second stage has been replaced with a Liquid-fuel second stage powered by an RD-120 Engine.

On November 06, 2023, Pad 19 was officially reactivated for use by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems for use by their Antares Rocket, which is expected to have a first flight soon. The facility was originally leased to NGIS in December of 2022. 

Existing derelict Titan II hardware has been removed or demolished by NGIS, and a lightning protection system has been added for Antares Flights.

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Disclaimers and notes- 

Spoiler

The year represented currently in my program is the current year (2024) and all launch dates, vehicle processing, and payload processing are experienced in real-time, mostly because I've got a life outside of KSP and it's easier for me this way. 

I will edit this post to include more information after I write it- It is DYNAMIC and always changing.

PLEASE NOTE- EVERYTHING HERE DESCRIBED IS FICTION. WHILE IT MAY BE INSPIRED BY REAL-LIFE EVENTS, THE ACTIONS OF SAID COMPANIES/AGENCIES DO NOT REPRESENT THEIR REAL-WORLD OPERATIONS.

(Going along with this, all company logos used in images that are posted in this forum thread are the property of their respective owners and are being used for entertainment purposes only. no copyright infringement is intended.)

 

Edited 5 hours ago by CollectingSP
Spaceport News

[CollectingSP]

Pad 39B Undergoes fit checks to support Delta IV- Nov 5, 2023

"(Kennedy Space Center, Florida) A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Rocket is seen during fit checks at Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, to verify the launch vehicle's compatibility with new systems installed to support NASA's upcoming Orion Spacecraft during a period lasting from  March 2021 to November 2023. This Particular Delta IV core, DV-008, will launch GPS-IIF-1 in support of the United States Space Force's GPS Directorate from Pad 39B later this year. (NASA/Joel Kowsky)" (Please note this was not actually taken by this NASA Photographer)

 

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
"TM, Verify MLP Jacking and roll to park position, Mission name IV-PATH."

[CollectingSP]

Antares 240 Goes vertical on LC-19, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL - Nov 8, 2023

(Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida) Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems' First Antares Rocket is seen during a series of fit checks at Launch Complex 19, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems is currently renovating Complex 19 to support Antares Flights from Florida's Space Coast starting in December of this year. Antares will be used to launch Commercial and Government payloads, and will also eventually be used as part of the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) Contract with industry partners to resupply the International Space Station. (NASA/Kim Shiflett) (As always, not actually taken by him, just fun to have as a make-believe caption.)

Photo ID KSC-20231108-AT-001

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
Northrop Grumman is proud to support the A-ONE mission, Dedicated to Leroy and Jack, our founders.

[CollectingSP]

Delta IV Undergoes Wet Dress Rehearsal in preparation for NROL-1 Launch - Nov 20, 2023

"(Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida) A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Rocket is seen during its wet dress rehearsal, Monday, November 11, 2023, at Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, In preparation for launch of the NROL-1 spacecraft for the United States National Reconnaissance Office. The NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet. NRO data supports the National Security Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and other NRO mission partners to produce intelligence products for the President, Congress, national policymakers, warfighters, and civil users. Delta IV DV-007 And NROL-1 are scheduled for launch NET December 5, 2023, From Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. (United Launch Alliance)" (Please note this was not actually taken by this NASA Photographer/ULA)

 

 

 

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
GO DELTA! GO L-1! GO TEAM!

[CollectingSP]

Antares A-ONE Completes Static fire in preparation for early December launch - Nov 22, 2023

"(Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida) Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems' First Antares 240 Rocket is seen standing on its launchpad during a static fire test at Launch Complex 19, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, On November 22, 2023. Antares Will Launch a Cygnus Mass Simulator to orbit on behalf of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services Program on Friday, December 1, 2023, at a time yet to be determined. (NASA/Kim Shiflett)" (Please note this was not actually taken by this NASA Photographer)

Photo ID KSC-20231122-AT-002

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
GO A-ONE!

[CollectingSP]

PRESS RELEASE- ANTARES 240 TO LAUNCH ANTARES A-ONE FOR NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS AND NASA/JSC

Northrop Grumman News Release (Not actually!)

(CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL) A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket is set for launch on December 01, 2023, with a window beginning at 5:00 PM EST and ending on December 01, 2023, at 11:59 PM EST from historic Launch Complex 19 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

Antares will be carrying a Cygnus Mass Simulator (CMS) to orbit in order to verify the vehicle’s performance while carrying a similar payload to Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft, which will be used to supply the International Space Station starting next year as part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services Program. 

Also Tagging along for the ride are Phonesats Alexander, Graham, and Bell, Developed by NASA’s Ames Research Center and using unmodified consumer-grade off-the-shelf smartphones as their basic satellite bus.

Friday’s launch is the first flight of Northrop Grumman’s Antares 240 Launch vehicle and the first launch in almost sixty years from historic Launch Complex 19 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

MEDIA CONTACT: u/CollectingSP On the KSP forums

LIVE VIEWING- None. Pictures will be released after the launch on the forums.

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After launch Events- NG-A-ONE (December 01, 2023) 

MAX Q- + 1:30

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MECO

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SEI

SECO-1

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Payload Deployments- Beginning 01:00 After SECO Confirmed

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SECONDARY- Phonesat Deployment (Alexander, Graham, Bell) 1:00 After SECO

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PRIMARY- Cygnus Spacecraft Mass Simulator Separation- 3:00 After SECO

CMS Flying under own EC/SAS/RCS (n/a)

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Primary Mission Objective Complete- Payload Sep confirmed

 

SER-1 (Deorbit Burn)- Secondary objective, Non-Critical- 15:00 After SECO

SECO-2 (After De-Orbit Burn)

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Cygnus Spacecraft Mass Simulator Depletion of battery/LOC- Undetermined Time, Estimated 1-2HR after Launch

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Edited January 23 by CollectingSP
GO A-ONE!

[CollectingSP]

MISSION STATUS UPDATE FROM ANTARES LAUNCH CONTROL-

This is Antares Launch Control at L-30:00. 

All systems remain nominal for tonight’s Antares 240 Launch from Launch Complex 19 At Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla. 

Both Antares and the Cygnus Mass simulator (CMS) Are in great shape for tonight’s mission, and are powered on and stable. 

GO ANTARES! GO CMS! GO A-ONE!

(Northrop Grumman Photo)  Not actually!

 

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
GO A-ONE!

[CollectingSP]

MISSION SUCCESS! - Antares 240 Launches Cygnus Mass Simulator- December 01, 2023.

Last updated 9:54 pm, December 01, 2023

"The calm before the storm." (Above)

A Northrop Grumman Antares 240 Rocket Lifted off from Space Launch Complex 19 At Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla. Tonight at 6:50 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Antares successfully delivered a Cygnus Mass Simulator to Orbit for NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems at 6:58 PM Eastern Standard Time, Approximately Eight minutes and forty-three seconds after launch.  CubeSats Alexander, Graham, And Bell were also Delivered to orbit on behalf of NASA's Ames Research Center.

Tonight’s Mission was declared complete at 7:15 PM, Approximately Twenty-Five minutes and thirteen seconds after launch, when the Cygnus Mass simulator stopped sending telemetry data to Cygnus Mission Control, Located in Dulles, VA. 

This is the first flight of Northrop Grumman’s Antares 240 rocket, Which soon will be used to launch Commercial and Government payloads to orbit, and will also eventually be used as part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) Contract with industry partners to resupply the International Space Station.

The next mission for Antares is anticipated to be NROL-8, Otherwise known as the Space Technology Experiment or STEX. NROL-8 And the Second Antares mission are scheduled for either late December of this year or early next year. 

Tonight's Mission dedications are in the spoiler below. This mission was dedicated to The Antares Team, Jack Northrop and Leroy Grumman, and NASA Astronaut Mary L. Cleave, who passed away on November 27, 2023, at the age of 76.

Spoiler

Northrop Grumman's Dedication during Step 414, Final Readiness poll to resume countdown. These individuals had their names placed on the CMS and Antares, respectively.

"NG- NG IS PROUD TO REPRESENT OUR FOUNDERS, JACK NORTHROP AND LEROY GRUMMAN, AS TONIGHT’S CYGNUS MASS SIMULATOR SPACECRAFT IS DEDICATED TO THEM IN THEIR HONOR. THESE TWO PIONEERS CONTINUE TO INSPIRE US AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW AND INNOVATE INTO THE NEXT FRONTIER OF SPACE EXPLORATION TOGETHER, AS NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS.

TONIGHT’S ANTARES LAUNCH VEHICLE IS ALSO DEDICATED TO FORMER NASA ASTRONAUT MARY L. CLEAVE, WHO PASSED AWAY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2023. SHE WAS 76 YEARS OLD. MARY WAS AN EXPLORER, ENGINEER, PIONEER AND TRAILBLAZER. SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.   ( WITH THAT, THE NG TEAM IS GO FOR LAUNCH.)"
 

 Images Received from the Cygnus Mass Simulator's Prototype Docking Camera (PDC) can be found in the spoiler below.

Spoiler

The first image received, at 7:02:36PM EST

 

The Final image received, at  ‏‎7:14:48PM EST.

Launch Photography can be found below.

Launch Image Captions: 

Spoiler

"(Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida) Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems' First Antares 240 Rocket Lifts off on its maiden voyage from Launch Complex 19, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, On December 1, 2023. Antares Launched a Cygnus Mass Simulator to orbit on behalf of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services Program and Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Certifying the Antares launch vehicle for operational use. " (NASA/Kim Shiflett) (Please note this was not actually taken by this NASA Photographer, as always.)

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
Typo.

[CollectingSP]

(As always, Not real, made by me.)  

Let me know if you guys like these news-style releases, I'd love to make more. 

Oh, and by the way, another Spaceport News will be released later this week with images from what I've been working on.

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
KSC news made an error on the release date ;)

[CollectingSP]

 

SPACEPORT NEWS- DECEMBER 28TH, 2023 EDITION

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
Format

[CollectingSP]

Heads up to everyone!

I will be gone for a bit until January 10th as i’m going to see ULA’s Vulcan Centaur CERT-1 Mission in Florida!

after that I will be back to launching and delivering payloads to orbit in KSP!

NROL-1 and NROL-8 are delayed until then.

thanks for all your understanding.

 

GO VULCAN! GO CENTAUR! GO CERT-1! GO ULA!

Edited January 3 by CollectingSP

[CollectingSP]

I’m back!

mission planning will begin as soon as possible for L-1 and L-8.

targeting next week or this weekend.

Edited January 23 by CollectingSP

[CollectingSP]

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE (2024-01-22)

Delta IV Heavy to launch NROL-1 for the National Reconnaissance Office

Rocket/Payload: A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket will launch the NROL-1 mission for the United States National Reconnaissance Office. 

Date/Site/Launch Time: Confirmed on the Eastern Range for Tuesday, January 23 with a window ranging from 4:00 to 11:00 PM, with a Backup window on the 24th of January with the same launch window, from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

Webcast: Not available. Multimedia will be available after the launch on the mission’s forum page. 

Mission Description: The NROL-1 Mission will be launched in support of the National Reconnaissance Office, Or NRO. The NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet. NRO data supports the National Security Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and other NRO mission partners to produce intelligence products for the President, Congress, national policymakers, warfighters, and civil users. NROL-1 Is a Mission-Critical Payload that is essential to accomplish the NRO’s Mission.

Launch Notes: The launch of NROL-1 will be the first-ever Delta IV launch from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Complex 37B was purpose-built to meet the increased demand for Delta IV Launches and to ensure access to space for our Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office, NASA, And Commercial Customers. This mission is the Sixth Delta IV Rocket to be flown since its inaugural launch in 2020 and the second Delta IV Heavy, the first being flown on the RUBY Mission in November 2020 from Space Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Launch Updates: To keep up to speed with updates to the launch countdown, dial the KERBULA launch hotline or follow along on CollectingSP’s Kerbalized space program forum page! Hashtags #NROL1, #DeltaIVHeavy, and #Team37.

MEDIA CONTACT: u/CollectingSP On the KSP forums

(As always, this is a work of fiction.)

 

 

 

 

Edited August 1 by CollectingSP
Misc

[CollectingSP]

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE (2024-01-23)

 Status Update from the Delta Operations Center

This is Delta Mission control at L-4:00 And holding. 

We are currently on schedule working towards the launch of Delta IV DV-007 and NROL-1 at 10:30 PM EST. 

The team is currently working no issues and the 45th WX indicates that the weather is GO for launch at this time.

GO DELTA! GO NROL-1! GO TEAM!

 

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP

[CollectingSP]

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE (2024-01-24)

LAST UPDATED 8:15AM, JAN 24th 2024

Mission Success!

Delta IV Heavy Delivers NROL-1 to orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy Launch Vehicle lifted off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida yesterday evening (Jan 23, 2024)  at 10:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (0530 Zulu.)

Delta IV Successfully Delivered the NROL-1 Payload to orbit for the United States National Reconnaissance Office, Providing a valuable national security asset that could not be lifted by any other active launch vehicle. NROL-1 Was successfully deployed yesterday night around nine minutes after launch, separating from the Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) at 10:39 PM EST.  

In addition to deploying NROL-1, the Delta Cryogenic Second Stage deployed CubeSats Brutus (Ohio State) Wilbur (AFRL) and Orville (AFRL.) all three deployed successfully from the ESPA adapter at 10:40 PM EST. All three CubeSats are performing nominally according to OSU and the AFRL.

No further comment from ULA can be made about the payload at this time due to the mission’s classified nature. Further Comments can be directed to the National Reconnaissance Office.

Tonight’s mission was the first-ever Delta IV launch from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and the Sixth Delta IV Rocket to be flown since its inaugural launch in 2020, and the second Delta IV Heavy, the first being flown on the RUBY Mission in November 2020 from Space Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Remembering NRO And ULA Teammates

As with every Mission, ULA and the NRO Dedicated the Delta IV Launch Vehicle and NROL-1 in Honor of our ULA and NRO Teammates who are no longer with us. These are the same dedications that flew on the real-life NROL-68 Mission. 

These Dedications can be found in the spoiler below.

Spoiler

The ULA Dedication video was played at L- 11:00. Last Night, ULA Honored our Colleagues and Friends Mark Anthony, Jim Wheble, and Steven Hord.

Last Night’s NRO Mission Dedication, as presented by Col. Chad Davis, NROL-1 Launch director, at L- 10:00.
“Tonight’s NROL-1 Mission is Dedicated to the memory of Vince Martelli, Patrick Wang, Steve Vess, Manny Salinas, and Ernie Frank.
Together, Vince, Patrick, Steve, Manny, and Ernie dedicated countless hours of their deep technical expertise to a multitude of launches. Their warm personalities, team spirit and phenomenal leadership will be remembered by the aerospace and launch communities. 
To our fellow patriots, Rest in peace.”
 

Launch Photography can be found below. 

Image Caption(s) in spoiler.

Spoiler

(Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida) A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Rocket Lifts off from Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, On January 23rd, 2024, With the NROL-1 spacecraft for the United States National Reconnaissance Office. The NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet. NRO data supports the National Security Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and other NRO mission partners to produce intelligence products for the President, Congress, national policymakers, warfighters, and civil users. (United Launch Alliance)

 

Edited April 15 by CollectingSP
Flight numbering- DV-006 is yet to launch

[CollectingSP]

 

SPACEPORT NEWS- FEB 02 2024 EDITION

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
tyops!

[CollectingSP]

ANTARES 240 TO LAUNCH NROL-8/STEX FOR THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE AS&T DIRECTORATE

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Northrop Grumman News Release (Not actually!)

(CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL) A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket is set for launch on February 09, 2024, with a window beginning at 5:00 PM EST and ending on February 09, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST from historic Launch Complex 19 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

(Please note- this mission was originally scrubbed on the 4th and 9th Of February due to excessive Upper-Level Winds.)

Antares will be carrying the NROL-8 Satellite for the United States National Reconnaissance Office. Known as STEX, Or the Space Technology EXperiment Satellite, Was designed and built by Lockheed Martin and was tested and accepted by the National Reconnaissance Office late last year.

The primary mission of STEX is to test technologies for use in future spacecraft.

STEX carries 29 new technologies intended to result in lower-cost and higher-performance spacecraft for future missions. Among the technologies are Russian-derived Xenon Hall-effect electric thrusters capable of delivering 40 mN of thrust, a 51 Gbit solid-state data recorder, and high-density NiH batteries designed to last longer and provide more energy with less weight. ATEx (Advanced Tether Experiment), a 6 km tether with TiPS heritage, is to be deployed as a separate sub-satellite. Frangibolts will be used on the mission for shockless deployment of the spacecraft and tether. Experimental solar panels with high-efficiency solar cells are also being carried on STEX.

Also tagging along for the ride are three experimental CubeSats developed and manufactured by the NRO, as part of a separate experiment by the AS&T Directorate.

Friday's launch is the second flight of Northrop Grumman’s Antares 240 Launch vehicle and the first Antares mission in support of the National Reconnaissance Office. Thursday’s launch is also the second launch in almost sixty years from historic Launch Complex 19 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, which is now the permanent home of the Antares Program. 

MEDIA CONTACT: u/CollectingSP On the KSP forums

LIVE VIEWING- None. Pictures will be released after the launch on the forums.

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After launch Events- NROL-8/STEX (Feb 9th, 2023) 

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MAX Q- + 1:30

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MECO

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SEI

SECO-1

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Payload Deployments- Beginning 01:00 After SECO Confirmed

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SECONDARY- CubeSats- 1:00 After SECO

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PRIMARY- Space Technology EXperiment spacecraft- 3:00 After SECO

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Primary Mission Objective Complete- Payload Sep confirmed

 

SER-1 (Deorbit Burn)- Secondary objective, Non-Critical- 15:00 After SECO

SECO-2 (After De-Orbit Burn)

 

NROL-8 ACTIVATION AND CHECKOUT- CONTROL TRANSFERRED TO NRO

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
24-Hour Recycle

[CollectingSP]

MISSION UPDATE: ANTARES 240 TO LAUNCH NROL-8/STEX FOR THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE AS&T DIRECTORATE

Northrop Grumman News Release (Not actually!)

(CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL) A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket is now set for launch on February 09, 2024, with a window beginning at 5:00 PM EST and ending on February 08, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST from historic Launch Complex 19 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

The weather at the Cape continues to be unfavorable, with the 45th Weather Squadron predicting strong upper-level winds as of 10:00 PM EST on February 8th, therefore eliminating the possibility of Antares launching tonight.

The launch director has ordered a 24-Hour Recycle, and teams expect to pick the count back up tomorrow afternoon. 

(Last updated 02/08/24 10:00 EST)

[CollectingSP]

MISSION SUCCESS! - Antares 240 Launches STEX (NROL-8) in support of the United States National Reconnaissance Office

Last Updated at Publication

This post will be periodically updated with more information and images from the mission.

A Northrop Grumman Antares 240 Rocket Lifted off from Space Launch Complex 19 At Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla. Tonight at 6:30 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Antares successfully delivered the Space Technology EXperiment satellite to orbit in support of the United States National Reconnaissance Office at 6:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, approximately nine minutes and fifty-three seconds after launch. 

Also deployed successfully were three NRO communications CubeSats built by the NRO AS&T Directorate, as part of a separate experiment.

Both STEX and the three CubeSats appear to be in healthy condition, according to the NRO.

This is the second flight of Northrop Grumman’s Antares 240 rocket, Which is used to launch Commercial and Government payloads to orbit, and will also eventually be used as part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) Contract with industry partners to resupply the International Space Station. The next mission for Antares is anticipated to be NROL-10, A classified payload in support of the United States National Reconnaissance Office, set for no earlier than late February 2024.

Tonight's Mission dedications are in the spoiler below. This mission was dedicated to The NRO, LM, and NG teams. 

Spoiler

Northrop Grumman's Dedication during Step 414, Final Readiness poll to resume countdown. These Organizations had their names placed on the Antares Launch Vehicle.

“NG-THE NORTHROP GRUMMAN, NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE, AND LOCKHEED MARTIN TEAMS WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE BOLD AND INNOVATIVE PATRIOTS THAT HAVE DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO THE MISSION SUCCESS OF THE NROL-8 AND STEX MISSION, PIONEERING FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE FUTURE SPACECRAFT.”

Launch Photography can be found below.

Launch image captions:

Spoiler

(Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida) Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems' Second Antares 240 Rocket Lifts off on its flight from Launch Complex 19, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, On February 9th, 2024 at 6:30 PM Eastern Standard Time. Antares Launched the NROL-8/STEX Payload in support of the United States National Reconnaissance Office. STEX carries 29 new technologies intended to result in lower-cost and higher-performance spacecraft for future missions. Among the technologies are Russian-derived Xenon Hall-effect electric thrusters capable of delivering 40 mN of thrust, a 51 Gbit solid-state data recorder, and high-density NiH batteries designed to last longer and provide more energy with less weight. ATEx (Advanced Tether Experiment), a 6 km tether with TiPS heritage, is to be deployed as a separate sub-satellite. Frangibolts will be used on the mission for shockless deployment of the spacecraft and tether. Experimental solar panels with high-efficiency solar cells are also being carried on STEX. (NASA/Kim Shiflett)

 

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP

[CollectingSP]

 

SPACEPORT NEWS- FEB 22 2024 EDITION

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP

[CollectingSP]

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE (2024-02-23)

 Delta IV DV-008 Completes Wet Dress Rehearsal Ahead of GPS Launch

(Please note, this release has been edited to reflect the new FRF Date/Time as of 02/23/2024 11:18 pm EST.)

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Medium (4,2) Rocket completed its wet dress rehearsal yesterday night ahead of the upcoming GPS-IIF-1 Launch for the United States Space Force.

The United Launch Alliance, Kennedy Space Center, U.S. Space Force, and Delta IV support teams stood by to monitor Yesterday night's test as it occurred.

All systems performed nominally and the Delta IV team is optimistic about the vehicle's upcoming Flight Readiness Firing (FRF) Currently scheduled for Tomorrow night, on February 24th, 2024. the firing window will open at 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time and close at Midnight on the 25th. Once the FRF is complete, Delta IV DV-008 will be rolled back to High Bay Three in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to be mated with the encapsulated GPS-IIF-1 Spacecraft.

Please stay tuned for continuing coverage and updates about Delta IV DV-008's Launch Campaign.

ULA has released some of the still images captured by the cameras at Space Launch Complex 39B during the WDR yesterday night, and they can be seen below. 

(As always, this is a work of fiction.)

 

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP
24-Hour Recycle

[CollectingSP]

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE (2024-02-23)

 UPDATE: Standing down from tonight's Delta IV Medium (DV-008) / GPS-IIF-1 FRF

The United Launch Alliance, Kennedy Space Center, U.S. Space Force, and Delta IV support teams stood by to monitor tonight's Flight Readiness Firing (FRF) attempt. 

However, As of 11:00 PM EST, the ULA Launch Team and the 45th Weather Squadron are standing down from tonight's Flight Readiness Firing (FRF) Attempt due to a violation of the simulated launch criteria, with strong surface and upper-level winds along with moderate precipitation on Florida's Space Coast. 

The Delta IV, KSC, USSF, and 45th WX teams are optimistic about another Firing attempt tomorrow, after a 24-Hour Recycle, on February 24th, 2024. the firing window will once again open at 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time and close at Midnight on the 25th.

Please stay tuned for continuing coverage and updates about Delta IV DV-008's Launch Campaign.

(Last Updated 11:25PM 02/23/2024)

(As always, this is a work of fiction.)

Edited March 1 by CollectingSP

[CollectingSP]

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE (2024-02-24)

 Delta IV DV-008 Completes Flight Readiness Firing Ahead of GPS Launch

The United Launch Alliance Delta IV Medium (4,2) Rocket slated to launch the GPS-IIF-1 Spacecraft for the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force completed its wet dress rehearsal tonight at 10:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, ahead of its planned launch no earlier than February 28th, 2023, From John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Preliminary data indicates all systems performed nominally during the duration of the test, in which the Delta IV Medium's RS-68 Main engine was fired for approximately four seconds, Demonstrating the ability of the Delta IV Vehicle to utilize the upgraded launch sequencer, pad, and support infrastructure at Launch Complex 39B (LC-39B,) Which has been out of service for over two years while upgrades to support NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) were performed, Paving the way for ULA's Delta IV Heavy to launch the Orion MPCV to the International Space Station later this year.

Delta IV DV-008 will be rolled back to High Bay Three in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to be mated with the encapsulated GPS-IIF-1 Spacecraft tomorrow morning at approximately 7:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.

Please stay tuned for continuing coverage and updates about Delta IV DV-008's Launch Campaign.

ULA has released some of the still images captured by the cameras at Space Launch Complex 39B during the FRF, and they can be seen below. 

(As always, this is a work of fiction.)

Edited March 9 by CollectingSP

[CollectingSP]

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE (2024-02-27)

 Delta IV to launch GPS IIF-01 for the United States Space Force

(Please note, this release has been edited to reflect the new launch Date/Time as of 02/29/2024 11:05 PM EST.)

Rocket/Payload: A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Medium (4,2) Rocket will launch the GPS IIF-1 Satellite for the United States Space Force/United States Air Force Global Positioning Systems Directorate.

Date/Site/Launch Time: Confirmed on the Eastern Range for Friday, March 1st with a window ranging from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, from Space Launch Complex 39B at John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Webcast: Not available. Multimedia will be available after the launch on the mission’s forum page. 

Mission Description: The GPS IIF-1 mission is being launched in support of the United States Space Force’s Global Positioning Systems Directorate, and is the first spacecraft in the next generation of GPS Satellites. The mission of GPS is to “Deliver sustained, reliable GPS capabilities to America's warfighters, our allies and civil users. GPS provides positioning, navigation, and timing service to civil and military users worldwide.” 

Launch Notes: The launch of GPS IIF-1  will be the first Delta IV Launch since February 3rd, 2021 from Space Launch Complex 39B. Pad 39B Has been under renovation since  March of 2021 due to needed upgrades to support NASA’s Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) launches on ULA’s Delta IV Heavy Rocket. Additionally, this mission is the Seventh Delta IV Rocket to be flown since its inaugural launch in 2020, and the Third flight of the Medium (4,2) Configuration. 

Launch Updates: Follow along on CollectingSP’s Kerbalized space program forum page! Hashtags #DeltaIV, #GPSIIFSV01, And #Team39.

MEDIA CONTACT: u/CollectingSP On the KSP forums

(As always, this is a work of fiction.)

This flight's mission poster:

A mission poster for this flight was created, but cannot be distributed due to copyright. 

---

Pre-Launch Images of Delta IV DV-008 and GPS IIF SV 01:

Image Captions in spoiler:

Spoiler

(Kennedy Space Center, Florida) A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Rocket is seen during Prelaunch preparations at Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, On February 27th, 2024, In preparation for launch of the GPS IIF-01 Spacecraft for the United States Space Force Global Positioning Systems Directorate (GPSD.) GPS IIF is designed to deliver sustained, reliable GPS capabilities to America's warfighters, our allies and civil users. GPS provides positioning, navigation and timing service to civil and military users worldwide.  Delta IV DV-008 And GPS IIF-1 are currently scheduled for launch on February 29th, 2024, From  Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis)

 

Edited April 20 by CollectingSP
Flight numbering- DV-006 is yet to launch

[CollectingSP]

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE (2024-02-29)

 UPDATE: Standing down from tonight's Delta IV Medium (DV-008) / GPS IIF-1 Launch Attempt

As of 11:00 PM EST, the ULA Launch Team and the 45th Weather Squadron are standing down from tonight's launch attempt due to a violation of the launch criteria, with moderate precipitation present on Florida's Space Coast and downrange from the launch site.

The team is putting into effect what is effectively a 16-Hour Recycle, on March 1st, 2024. the launch window will open at approximately 3:00 PM  Eastern Standard Time and close at 6:00 PM on the 1st.

Please stay tuned for continuing coverage and updates about Delta IV DV-008's Launch Campaign.

(Last Updated 11:05 PM 02/29/2024)

(As always, this is a work of fiction.)

Edited March 1 by CollectingSP