Launch News NROL-66 atop Minotaur I on Feb. 6, 2011

[orb]

The U.S. military plans to launch a Minotaur I rocket with a secret technology research mission (RPP satellite) for the National Reconnaissance Office.

|

Launch date:​

|  February 6, 2011

Window open:​

|  11:45 UTC / 3:35 a.m. PST / 6:35 a.m. EST

Launch time:​

|  12:26 UTC / 4:26 a.m. PST / 7:26 a.m. EST

Window close:​

|  15:35 UTC / 10:25 a.m. EST / 4:25 a.m. EST

Launch site:​

|  SLC-8, VAFB, California

{colsp=2}

[highlight]L[eventtimer]2011-2-6 12:26;%c%%ddd%/%hh%:%mm%:%ss%[/eventtimer][/highlight]​

|

Scrubbed on Feb. 5 due to a power issue affecting mandatory range safety equipment. In a case the launch is postponed again on Feb. 6, there is a reserve slot at the same time on Feb. 7 and 8.

There is calendar event created for this launch, for which you can request a reminder.



Mission Description:

The NRO is keeping quiet on the mission's specifics, but the agency says it is part of a science and technology development effort to lay the groundwork for future systems. The satellite is known as RPP, which stands for the Rapid Pathfinder Program. The spacecraft could be testing new radar or optical imaging sensors to be employed on the next generation of U.S. reconnaissance satellites.

Aimed at a polar obit, possibly sun-synchronous. It will probably be given the name "USA 225".

[table="head"]{colsp=3}

Mission Insignia (clickable)​

||[/table]​

Launch Vehicle:

[table="width=600"]

|

The Minotaur I is an American expendable launch system, four-stage solid fuel space launch vehicle produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation. It's derived from the Minuteman II ICBM.​

Minotaur I rockets consist of the M55A1 first stage and SR19 second stage of a decommissioned Minuteman missile. The Orion 50XL and Orion 38, from the Pegasus rocket, are used as third and fourth stages.​

The ground-launched Minotaur I rocket is capable of launching payloads up to 580 kg (1278 lbs) into low Earth Orbit.​

[/table]​

Launch Updates:

• 
  Mission Status Center

Launch preparations photos:

Links:

• Vandenberg Air Force Base: Minotaur I launch scheduled
   
• Spaceflight Now:
  • NRO pathfinder satellite scheduled to launch Saturday
  • Minotaur rocket assembled and tested (PHOTO GALLERY)
   
• Orbital Sciences Corporation:
  • Minotaur rocket family Page
  • Minotaur I launch vehicle Page
  • � Minotaur I User Guide (PDF - 6.6 MB)
  • � Minotaur I Fact Sheet (PDF - 1.9 MB)

 

[Carmen A]

Ahhhhh it will launch during dinner time here. Awesome

 

[IronRain]

Is there a webcast where we can watch the launch?

 

[Carmen A]

Some details here but can't find any webcast so far

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/02/live-orbitals-minotaur-i-californian-launch-nrol-66/

 

[SiberianTiger]

According to SeeSat-L mailing list, the exact launch time would be 12:26 UTC, or 4:26 PST.

A KML file with drop zones drawn is available at http://www.zarya.info/NROL-66.kml

The orbit shall be like 600 km x 600 km, inc 92-93°.

 

[IronRain]

Countdown stopped due to a problem at T-16 minutes.

To recap, there's a technical problem that engineers are troubleshooting right now. The issue forced the launch team to stop the countdown before going into the final readiness polls and retracting the thermal blanketing from the Minotaur rocket. There's no estimate on how long this hold will last. But launch still could happen this morning, if the problem can be resolved.

---------- Post added at 02:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 PM ----------

Minotaur won't launch today. After the launch clock was reset, they scrubbed the launch because they couldn't solve the problem in time.

Spaceflight Now:

HOLD. Countdown has been stopped again. The problem can't be resolved in time for a launch today, so the Minotaur will not fly this morning.

The Minotaur rocket is being powered down and soon the launch pad will be reopened for workers to return.

 

[orb]

Vandenberg Air Force Base: Minotaur I launch delayed.

The new launch time: Feb. 6, 2011 12:26 UTC / 7:26 a.m. EST / 4:26 a.m. PST.

 

[N_Molson]

Nice, it will be Sunday noon here

 

[IronRain]

No updates from anyone yet? Then I will give them

The Minotaur is powered up again. The S-band antenna is tested and confirmed to give a good signal. The Minotaur's main computer is initialized for the pre-flight guidance alignment. The engine steering tests are completed. Target lift-off; 4:26 a.m. PST; 7:26 a.m. EST; 12:26 GMT

EDIT: There won't be a webcast where we can watch the launch live.

 

[Ululuru]

No updates from anyone yet? Then I will give them

The Minotaur is powered up again. The S-band antenna is tested and confirmed to give a good signal. The Minotaur's main computer is initialized for the pre-flight guidance alignment. The engine steering tests are completed. Target lift-off; 4:26 a.m. PST; 7:26 a.m. EST; 12:26 GMT

EDIT: There won't be a webcast where we can watch the launch live.

Too bad :thumbsdown:

 

[IronRain]

Now 100 minutes from the scheduled launch time. All systems on the Minotaur are "green" with no issues being reported on the vehicle. However, there is another ground issue being assessed right now.

 

[Gerdih]

no video?

 

[orb]

The liftoff occurred as planned. Minotaur is in the ballistic coast phase of flight now after third stage burn. The third stage will be shed in a few minutes from now, followed by fourth stage ignition. No further live updates will be available on the rocket's progress toward orbit or release of the satellite cargo.

 

[IronRain]

And here are some launch photo's:

 

[orb]

Photos from the liftoff

Vandenberg Air Force Base:

• 
  Vandenberg launches Minotaur I

Spaceflght Now:

• Classified satellite climbs to space on Minotaur rocket
• Minotaur 1 rocket launches NROL-66 (PHOTO GALLERY)
• Minotaur rocket streaks into the sky (PHOTO GALLERY)

A few selected photos:

[table="head;width=400"]{colsp=2}

Click on images to enlarge​

{colsp=2}

​

{colsp=2}

U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski​

|

U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss​

|

U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew Satran​

[/table]



Credit: Gene Blevins/LA Daily News:

 

[IronRain]

Best video of the launch I could find.. well, it's not the launch but a flight video... from a hand cam...