ULA Atlas V 551 AEHF-6
Atlas V 551
Status
Success
Date
26 MAR 2020
20:18
Launch Provider
United Launch Alliance
Launch Pad
Space Launch Complex 41
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Mission Overview
This is the sixth and final satellite in the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system, which is a series of communications satellites operated by the United States Air Force Space Command. It provides global, survivable, protected communications capabilities for strategic command and tactical warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms.
Rocket
Atlas V 551
Mission Type
Communications
Orbit
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Stages
2
Livestream
Rocket Details
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 standard payload fairing sizes are 4 or 5 meters in diameter and of various lengths. Fairings sizes as large as 7.2 m in diameter and up to 32.3 m in length have been considered. The rocket is assembled in Decatur, Alabama and Harlingen, Texas.
Height
59.7 m
Diameter
3.8 m
Launch Mass
573 T
Thrust
12,269 kN