Government/Top Secret
USSF-8 will launch two identical Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites GSSAP-5 and GSSAP-6 directly to a near-geosynchronous orbit approximately 36,000 km above the equator. Data from the GSSAP will uniquely contribute to timely and accurate orbital predictions, further enabling space flight safety including satellite collision avoidance. Unique to this mission is the first and only planned flight of the Atlas V 511 configuration.
Orbital Attempt
#6,188
ULA Mission
#149
Pad Launch
#103
Location Launch
#832
Designator
2022-006
Weather GO
90%
Jan 21, 2022, 7:00 PM
1 update
6:15 PM
Window Open
9:15 PM
Window Close
Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with Boeing. Each Atlas V rocket uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen to power its first stage and an American-built RL10 engine burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its Centaur upper stage. The RD-180 engines are provided by RD Amross, while Aerojet Rocketdyne provides both the RL10 engines and the strap-on boosters used in some configurations. The 511 version uses a 5m wide fairing, 1 solid rocket booster and one engine on the Centaur stage.
Length
58.3 m
Diameter
3.81 m
Launch Mass
590 t
Thrust
5,490 kN
LEO Capacity
10,986 kg
GTO Capacity
5,250 kg
Launch Cost
$130M
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
2022
Total Launches
1
Successful
1
Failed
0
Consecutive Success
1
Maiden flight: Jan 21, 2022
Launch successful
SourceUpdating weather
SourceUpdating weather
SourceT-0 confirmed by ULA
SourceWeather 70%
SourceUpdating T-0
SourceNew launch window.
SourceWeather 60%
SourceAdded launch window per marine space closure notices.
SourceUnited Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.
Founded
2006
Administrator
Interim CEO: John Elbon
Total Launches
173
Successful
173
Failed
0
Pending
38
Consecutive Success
173
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
Timezone
America/New_York
Local Launch Time
Jan 21, 2022, 2:00 PM
Total Launches
1,109
Total Landings
75
Coordinates
28.4889, -80.5778