The successful launch of United Launch Alliance's (ULA) most revered Atlas V rocket for its final national security mission was conducted on July 30, 2024.
Atlas V took the ground level security to a new height for US military. The successful launch of the classified mission for the U.S. Space Force or USSF-51 added another feather to the science and defense sectors. For many reasons, this mission will always be remembered forever. Let's explore key insights and astonishing facts about this mission.
National Security Space Launch (NSSL) is a special program of the United States Space Force (USSF), launched in 1994. The main intention was accessing to space for the United States Department of Defense.
We are one hour away from the #AtlasV #USSF51 launch! Let's take a look at the steps to prepare for today's mission.
— ULA (@ulalaunch) July 30, 2024
Liftoff is scheduled for today at 6:45 a.m. ET (1045 UTC).
Launch updates: https://t.co/HvvsExVAKR pic.twitter.com/ZbDckmByh3
(Credit - @ulalaunch X handle)
Atlas family of rockets have been serving since 1957. Nearly 22 years ago, Atlas V made debut. The most astonishing achievement of this vehicle? It must be the 100th launch, which happened in June, 2024 carrying Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS). Meanwhile, this was the first manned flight for both Starliner as well as Atlas V.
“The Space Force Atlas V team has an amazing record of serving our National Security Space lift needs,” Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader for Launch Execution Delta, part of the Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC), said before launch.
The Strongest of All: According to ULA website: “The Atlas V 551 is the highest performance configuration of the rocket family with a full complement of five solid rocket boosters. It first flew in 2006 and has launched the New Horizons spacecraft to Pluto, the Juno orbiter to Jupiter and multiple national security payloads.”
(Credit - @ulalaunch X handle)
The century is always a special milestone. ULA touched that rare feat by succesful launch of Atlas V for NSSL. The launch was conducted from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) in Florida.
“The Atlas V launch system has been the stalwart for national security launches over the past 20 years,” Walt Lauderdale, USSF-51 mission director, said in a statement. “This mission, together with all those preceding, demonstrates the Atlas V integrated government/industry team’s commitment to safely deliver critical assets to space,” he added.
Lift-off Legend: “Atlas V served the Air Force, Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office for 17 years with 100 percent launch success, accomplishing missions to low-, medium-, transfer and geosynchronous orbits across the entire performance range of the Atlas V configurations,” mentions ULA website.
Let's relive liftoff of the United Launch Alliance #AtlasV rocket carrying #USSF51 for the @SpaceForceDOD on ULA's 100th national security mission! pic.twitter.com/WtUKE6j5W9
— ULA (@ulalaunch) July 30, 2024
(Credit - @ulalaunch X handle)
Since 2019, only four vehicles got certifications by the Department of Defense to operate NSSL launches. These vehicles are Atlas V, Delta IV Heavy, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy.
Now, “ULA transitions to the next generation, highly flexible Vulcan rocket for continued access to space,” according to official website.
ULA continues to be a dependable partner to the US Space Force by delivering rigorous and unique requirements with successful launch facilities, contributing to national defense.
