Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., (March 13, 2008) – – Adding to the Atlas rocket’s legacy of launches from the west coast that began in 1959, United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V made its debut flight from Space Launch Complex-3 East here at 3:02 a.m. PDT, today. It carried a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload. The launch ushers in a new era of space launch capability for the Air Force and ULA as part of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. For Atlas V, today’s success builds on 12 previous Atlas V launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., starting in 2002.

"This is a proud moment in our company's history,” said Michael Gass, ULA President and Chief Executive Officer. “This launch caps four years of planning and hard work modifying SLC-3E and then executing an outstanding launch campaign leading to this successful first launch. We now have a sixth operational launch complex giving us three each at Vandenberg and Cape Canaveral for our Atlas and Delta vehicles. Combine this with the most experienced team in the business and ULA has built the strongest space launch company in the world.”

Modifications to SLC-3E to support an Atlas V vehicle began more than four years ago when a 22-month development program was initiated. Construction began Jan. 5, 2004 and was completed March 31, 2005. Major elements of the modification included raising the height of the mobile service tower by 30 feet; building a new 250-ton fixed launch platform; installing a new 60-ton bridge crane; replacing the ground command, control, and communication system; and finishing work on new and refurbished launch control and mission support centers.

“The new SLC-3E combines the best features of the previous SLC-3E architecture and the new systems for the Atlas V, yielding a state-of-the-art complex to meets our customer’s needs, today and in the future,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA Vice President of Atlas Programs. “SLC-3E is a major accomplishment for the Atlas team in partnership with the Air Force and the NRO, and we are proud to demonstrate its capabilities by launching this important NRO mission to support national defense.”



This mission, designated AV-006, was launched aboard an Atlas V 411 configuration using the Common Core Booster powered by the RD-180 engine and one strap-on solid rocket motor. This Atlas V flight marked the 209th RD-180 firing. The 12 previous Atlas V launches included two missions for NASA, two for the NRO, two for the Air Force, and six for commercial customers.

ULA's next launch, currently scheduled for March 15 with a launch window of 2:09-2:23 a.m. EDT, is the GPS IIR-19 satellite for the Air Force aboard a Delta II rocket from SLC-17A at CCAFS, Fla.

ULA program management, engineering, test, and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo., and supported by transition employees in Huntington Beach, Calif. Manufacturing, assembly, and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., Harlingen, Texas, San Diego, Calif., and Denver, Colo. Launch operations are located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

For more information on the ULA joint venture call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).

Source: United Launch Alliance

The US Air Force press release is reproduced below:

Vandenberg Airmen launch Atlas V rocket

3/13/2008 - VANDENBERG AFB, Calif. (AFPN) - Vandenberg Air Force Base Airmen successfully launched a Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-3 at 3:01 a.m. Pacific Daily Time March 13 here.

The launch was the product of the combined efforts of officials from the 30th Space Wing, the National Reconnaissance Office, United Launch Alliance, the Space and Missile Systems Center, and the Aerospace Corporation.


An Atlas V rocket stands on Space Launch Complex-3 prior to its launch at 3:01 a.m. Pacific Daily Time March 13 at Vandenberg Air Force
Base, Calif. It carried a National Reconnaissance Office payload and was the first Altas V to launch from the West Coast. (Courtesy photo)

Capt. Daniel Rubalcaba of the 4th Space Launch Squadron was the mission flight commander for the launch. On launch day he worked the Air Force technical assessment of the launch countdown. Part of his responsibilities were to work with the combined SMC, ULA, and Aerospace team on anomaly diagnosis and resolution.

Space Launch Complex-3 was significantly modified to get ready for the next generation of space launch vehicles. The Atlas V was the first launch since the modifications were completed, said 1st Lt. Stacey Marzheuser. Previously used for 21 Atlas II launches, the pad received significant upgrades to accommodate the larger and more powerful booster. The tower was made taller, the overhang was extended with a much bigger crane, and the entire pad deck was reconfigured. The pad also features a brand new fixed launch platform.

"This launch was an incredible achievement for Team Vandenberg, ULA, NRO and our other fellow launch partners," said Col. Steve Tanous, the 30th Space Wing commander. He was the spacelift commander for this mission, or final go-for-launch authority.

"The hard work and dedication of everyone involved for the first launch of an Atlas V and for the year here, continues to ensure our nation's access to space," he said. "I am very proud of the teamwork that led to the successful and historic Atlas V mission."

The Atlas V is an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle. This was the first Atlas V launch from Vandenberg AFB.

Source: US Air Force press release

The Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne press release is reproduced below:

Bryan Kidder
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
818-586-2213
bryan.kidder@pwr.utc.com

Nancy Colaguori
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
561 796-2219
nancy.colaguori@pw.utc.com

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, RD AMROSS Power Atlas V’s Inaugural Launch from Vandenberg AFB

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 13, 2008 - Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) and RD AMROSS, LLC powered the launch of an Atlas V rocket for the first time from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., today on a mission to deliver a U.S. National Reconnaissance Office satellite into orbit. PWR is a United Technologies Corp. [NYSE: UTX] company.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V Centaur upper stage is powered by PWR’s RL10 engine; the booster stage is powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine. RD AMROSS is a joint venture formed by PWR and NPO Energomash.

“Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is pleased to provide reliable propulsion and on-site support at Vandenberg Air Force Base to foster assured access to space for our United Launch Alliance and government customers,” said Graham Webb, general manager, PWR Florida and Mississippi operations.

“The RD AMROSS team takes great pride in boosting the Atlas V to another successful mission with this important inaugural launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base,” said Jerry Josef, president and CEO, RD AMROSS.

The RL10 has helped place numerous military, civil and commercial satellites into orbit and powered historic space probe missions to every planet in our solar system.

The RD-180 delivers nearly 1 million pounds of thrust, and continues to be flight proven on the Atlas III and V launch vehicles with 19 consecutive launches for 100 percent mission success. The RD-180 is the only liquid oxygen-kerosene fueled engine with an oxygen-rich staged combustion cycle flying in the United States today.

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines.

RD AMROSS, LLC is a U.S. joint venture between PWR and NPO Energomash of Khimky, Russia. NPO Energomash manufactures the RD-180 for RD AMROSS, and is a world leader in designing, manufacturing, testing and providing services for liquid propulsion rocket engines.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.


Source: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne News Release