Launch News MUOS 5 launch on Atlas V 551

[GLS]

A new comunications bird for the people in that famous 5-sided building is expected to launch in about 10 minutes aboard the biggest Atlas V.
Live stream http://www.ulalaunch.com/webcast.aspx

 

[orb]

Live feed is also available on YouTube:

 

[GLS]

T0, liftoff!

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SRBs have separated.

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Fairing separation.

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MECO, 1º stage separation and Centaur ignition.

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1º of 3 Centaur burns is complete!

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2º Centaur ignition.

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2º Centaur burn complete.

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Live coverage has ended.

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MUOS 5 has separated!

 

[boogabooga]

MUOS 5 has apparently suffered an anomaly with the propulsion system:

https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/08/...-salvage-its-newest-communications-satellite/

Edit:
For any research engineers out there, I am suspecting that you might get some funding to work on a system for reliably de-clogging a stuck fuel line on-orbit.

 

[IronRain]

Spaceflight101.com: Systemic Propulsion System Problem Suspect in MUOS 5 & Intelsat 33e Trouble

Work is currently underway by several private and government entities to diagnose what might be a systemic issue in satellite propulsion systems in use for different programs.
Two satellites have recently been slowed down in their climb to Geostationary Orbit due to main engine issues and a high-profile missile-warning satellite for the U.S. Air Force has been grounded while any commonality is assessed between the propulsion systems in use on the satellites.
The U.S. Air Force recently pushed back the launch of the third satellite for the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) – a critical component in the U.S. missile warning architecture.
Originally planned for October 3, the launch of the Lockheed Martin-built satellite has been delayed indefinitely to allow time for an investigation into a potential component fault. Space and Missile Systems Center Director Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves Tweeted on September 10 that the launch was being delayed due to an issue on ‘another non-SBIRS satellite.’

 

[IronRain]

Spaceflight Now: Navy satellite claws its way to usable orbit after main engine failure

CAPE CANAVERAL — After four months of drama in space caused by a crippling failure of its main engine, a U.S. Navy’s mobile communications satellite has successfully rescued itself and achieved a usable orbit.

The Mobile User Objective System satellite No. 5, launched from Cape Canaveral on June 24 atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, lost its primary orbit-raising engine just five days after reaching space.

The engine was supposed to fire 7 times over 9 days to push the Lockheed martin-built craft into a circular geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles above the Earth, inclined at five degrees to the equator.

The satellite was launched into a customized high-perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit as planned, stretching from 2,379 by 22,219 miles at an inclination of 19.1 degrees.

With some maneuvering already accomplished before the main engine was lost, MUOS 5 lifted its perigee to around 9,471 miles and reduced inclination to 9.8 degrees, hobbyist observers tracking the satellite reported in early July. They were the first to notice and publicly reveal that the craft has suddenly stopped maneuvering.