* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: NRO_L-22 Launch

Blobrana · L

The first West Coast launch of Boeing's Delta IV evolved expendable launch vehicle was conducted here June 27. The rocket took off from Space Launch Complex-6 carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.

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Blobrana · L

The NROL-22 classified payload is likely to ba a SBIRS-HEO (Space-based Infrared System) IR sensor, which will detect and track ballistic missiles and provide an early warning system.
SBIRS-HEO is a updated version of the DSP (Defence Support Program).
The early warning system will consist of four primary satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), and two spacecraft carrying infrared sensors in Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO).
NROL-22 looks likely to be in a high Molniya orbit 35,400 miles above the Earth

TLE Data

USA 184
1 29249U 29249A 05277.24256020 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 01
2 29249 62.4000 85.9600 7090000 270.0000 180.0000 2.10000000 08

Blobrana · L

The rocket blasted off at 3:33 GMT from the Vandenberg Air Force base on the Californian coast, leaving a thin trail in the twilight sky.

Credit Paul Harris

The purpose of the mission is still not clear. The National Reconnaissance Office builds and manages the nation's spy satellites.

Blobrana · L

Delta IV Medium+ Launch

Blobrana · L

RE: NRO_L-22 Launch

Blobrana · L

Blobrana · L

T+plus 33 minutes

All systems nominal.
The target transfer orbit with apogee of 1,196 nautical miles, and perigee of 104 nautical miles, and an inclination of 62.5 degrees has been achieved.

-- Edited by Blobrana at 05:11, 2006-06-28

Blobrana · L

Blobrana · L

Liftoff of the Boeing Delta 4 rocket at 3:33 GMT.

T-0:00:05.5 Engine start
The Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine begins to ignite as the liquid hydrogen fuel valve is opened, creating a large fireball at the base of the rocket. The engine powers up to full throttle for a computer-controlled checkout before liftoff.
T-00:00.0 Liftoff
The rocket's two strap-on solid rocket motors are lit, the four hold-down bolts are released and the Delta 4 lifts off from Vandenberg SLC-6 pad. The pad's two swing arms retract at T-0 seconds.
T+00:58.3 Max-Q
The vehicle experiences the region of maximum dynamic pressure. Both solid motors and the RS-68 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine continue to fire as the vehicle heads downrange, arcing over the Pacific along a 154-degree flight azimuth.
T+01:35.0 Solid motor burnout
Having used up all their solid-propellant, the two strap-on boosters experience burnout. However, they remain attached to the first stage for the next 20 seconds while the vehicle flies clear of the San Miguel and Santa Rosa islands.
T+01:55.0 Jettison solid motors
The two Alliant-built strap-on boosters are jettisoned from the Delta's first stage. The spent casings fall into the ocean.
T+03:54.9 Begin engine throttling
With engine cutoff nearing, the RS-68 powerplant starts throttling down from 102 percent. It will achieve a 57 percent throttle in five seconds.
T+04:05.9 Main engine cutoff
The hydrogen-fuelled RS-68 rocket engine completes its firing and shuts down to complete the first stage burn.
T+04:11.9 Stage separation
The Common Booster Core first stage and the attached interstage are separated in one piece from the Delta 4's upper stage. The upper stage engine's extendible nozzle drops into position as the first stage separates.
T+04:26.4 Second stage ignition
The upper stage begins its job to place the classified NRO payload into space with the first of two firings. The stage features a Pratt & Whitney RL10B-2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine.
T+04:36.5 Jettison nose cone
The four-meter diameter composite payload fairing that protected the classified spacecraft atop the Delta 4 during the atmospheric ascent is no longer needed, allowing it to be jettisoned in two halves.
T+14:21.7 Upper stage shutdown
The RL10 upper stage engine shuts down to complete its first firing of the launch. The rocket and attached spacecraft reach an ellipitcal parking orbit of 104 by 1,196 nautical miles with an inclination of 62.5 degrees.
T+40:12.0 Restart upper stage
The upper stage will coast to the parking orbit's high point where the RL10 engine reignites to raise the altitude for deployment of the payload.
T+43:34.2 Upper stage shutdown
The powered phase of the Delta 4's mission to loft classified payload concludes. The targeted orbit is 601 by 20,308 nautical miles with an inclination of 62.4 degrees.
T+50:04.5 Begin spin-up
The next step in preparing for deployment of the payload is gently spinning up the stage like a top to 5 rpm.
T+54:14.5 Spacecraft separate
The classified spacecraft for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office is released from the Delta 4 rocket, completing the first West Coast Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle mission.