Live coverage: Atlas 5 countdown and launch journal

Live coverage of the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket flight to deploy the WorldView 4 imaging satellite. Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter.

VIDEO: Previewing tomorrow's WorldView 4 launch from California atop Atlas 5 rocket https://t.co/FF5UuunZRE
(Lockheed Martin video) pic.twitter.com/IGsL1s6tf7

— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) 11 de noviembre de 2016

LRR: Countdown clocks will begin ticking in the middle-of-the-night Friday morning to ready an Atlas 5 rocket at America's western spaceport to launch a commercial Earth-imagery observatory.

The Launch Readiness Review today formally gave approval to proceed into countdown operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to deploy the WorldView 4 satellite for DigitalGlobe.

Friday's liftoff is targeted for 10:30 a.m. local time (1:30 p.m. EST; 1830 GMT) at the opening of a 15-minute launch opportunity.

A live launch webcast can be viewed on this page.

Air Force meteorologists, as of this morning, now give 90 percent odds that the weather will allow the launch to occur. High pressure has been dominant over the region for the past several days, keeping a weather system to the northwest. At launch time Friday, the forecast calls for mostly clear skies with just some high-level cirrus, light south‐southeasterly winds of 5 to 8 knots and temperatures between 67 and 72 degrees F.

"Team V is thrilled to be launching again following the devastating wildfires we experienced in September. We are excited to launch the Atlas 5 WorldView 4 mission from Vandenberg's Western Range and are looking forward to a safe and successful mission," said Col. Chris Moss, 30th Space Wing commander at Vandenberg and the launch decision authority.

It will be the 12th Atlas 5 to fly from Vandenberg.

The launch countdown begins at 2:30 a.m. local time for the start of an eight-hour sequence to prepare the launch pad and rocket for flight.

This is United Launch Alliance's 112th flight, the 9th just this year, and the company's 19th for a commercial client.

Live coverage: Tonight’s Delta 4 countdown and launch journal

Launch webcast begins at 12:27 a.m. EDT)

Mission Status Center

Live coverage of the United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket flight with two GSSAP space situational awareness satellites.

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Live coverage: Atlas 5 countdown and launch journal

CAPE CANAVERAL — Good weather for launching a rocket is forecast for Cape Canaveral and the Space Coast on Thursday morning when a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 is scheduled to take flight.

Meteorologists with the 45th Weather Squadron at the Cape give 80 percent odds of acceptable conditions for the launch at 8:37 a.m. EDT (1237 GMT).

“On launch day, mid-level dry air remains over Central Florida resulting in favorable weather conditions,” Air Force meteorologists said today

“There will be a slight chance of a coastal shower and weak southerly wind flow with gusts in the 10 to 12 knot range during the window. The primary concern for launch is cumulus clouds.”

Conditions are expected to include scattered low- and high-level clouds, good visibility and a temperature of 82 degrees F.

The rocket will be rolled vertically from its assembly building to the pad at Complex 41 on Tuesday morning.

“For MLP roll on Tuesday, an increase of moisture will bring a slight chance of a morning coastal shower,” forecasters said

For the backup launch opportunity on Friday morning, the outlook also calls for an 80 percent chance of favorable weather then, too.

“On Friday, similar weather conditions will persist bringing a chance of an early morning coastal shower. In the event of a 24-hour delay, the primary concern is cumulus clouds,” the weather team says.

The launch is being performed on behalf of the National Reconnaissance Office to deliver the NROL-61 satellite payload into orbit. The rocket will head eastward along a flight azimuth of 99 degrees.

Live coverage: Atlas 5 countdown and launch journal & Photos: Atlas 5 rocket positioned on launch pad for Navy satellite deployment

Code Division Multiple Access capability," said Capt. Joe Kan, the Navy program manager.

The rocket is flying the 551 vehicle configuration. The version features two stages, five solids and an 18-foot-diameter nose cone. It is powered off the launch pad by an RD AMROSS RD-180 main engine and Aerojet Rocketdyne solids. The Centaur upper stage has an Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C-1 cryogenic engine.

Countdown clocks begin ticking seven hours before launch, leading to activation of the rocket, final testing and system preps. Fueling will be underway by 8:30 a.m. EDT.

Watch this page for live coverage throughout the countdown and flight of the Atlas-Centaur rocket.

Be sure to sign up for our Twitter feed to get occasional countdown updates on your cellphone. U.S. readers can also sign up from their phone by texting "follow spaceflightnow" to 40404. (Standard text messaging charges apply.)

Playalinda Beach is an ideal public viewing spot for the launch. The location puts you less than five miles from the launch pad to feel the 2.5 million pounds of liftoff thrust! 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

This is the ascent timeline to be followed by the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket in launching the Mobile User Objective System satellite No. 5 on Friday at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

The Launch Readiness Review was conducted earlier today and gave approval to proceed with the Atlas 5 rocket's rollout tomorrow and flight on Friday.

Weather forecasters continue to predict an 80 percent chance of favorable launch conditions.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2016PREVIEW: For the fifth time in four years, a massive U.S. Navy satellite will launch atop an Atlas 5 rocket on Friday to finish the military's new $7.7 billion mobile communications framework 22,300 miles in space.

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016WEATHER: Air Force meteorologists are giving good odds of acceptable weather conditions for the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket to fly Friday morning from Cape Canaveral to put a Navy mobile communications satellite into orbit.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket was rolled to the pad today at Cape Canaveral’s Complex 41 in preparation for Friday’s liftoff. The flight will deliver the Mobile User Objective System satellite No. 5 into orbit, fulfilling a five-launch, four-year effort to assemble the military’s secure smartphone mobile communications network. Launch is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT).

Photos by United Launch Alliance

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