U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing

December 9, 2007

NATIONAL SECURITY PAYLOAD SET FOR DEC. 10 LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. - The U.S. Air Force is scheduled to launch a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle from Space Launch Complex 41 here Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. The overall launch period extends from 4:15 - 6:15 p.m. (EST). The expected launch time is 5:03 p.m. The Atlas V will orbit a national security payload. The payload was designed and built by the National Reconnaissance Office.

The Atlas V is an Expendable Launch Vehicle, known as EELV. EELVs are designed to improve the United States' access to space by making space launch vehicles more affordable and reliable. Atlas V builds on the design innovations demonstrated on Atlas III and incorporates a structurally stable booster propellant tank, enhanced payload fairing options and optional strap-on solid rocket boosters. The Atlas V family uses a single-stage Atlas main engine, the Russian RD-180 and the Common Core Booster (CCB)TM with up to five strap-on solid rocket boosters. The CCBTM is 12.5 ft. (3.8 m) in diameter by 106.6 ft. (32.5m) long and uses 627,105 lbs. (284,453 kg) of liquid oxygen and RP-1 rocket fuel propellants.

This will be the fourth Atlas V launched from Cape Canaveral AFS this year. The last Atlas V launch from here occurred Oct. 10, 2007. Its payload was the first Wideband Global SATCOM satellite.

The launch can be viewed via Webcast at: www.ulalaunch.com.

---

---

Space Shuttle launch information

BACK to Calendar of events

BACK to Places to Go - Things to Do

A service of the North Brevard Business Directory