ULA to attempt launch of NROL-52 on Oct. 14
ULA’s Atlas V 421 (AV-075) with the NROL-52 spacecraft. Photo Credit: Mike Howard / SpaceFlight Insider
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Colorado-based United Launch Alliance (ULA) has announced that it will attempt to launch the classified NROL-52 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 3:31 a.m. EDT (07:31 GMT). The setting of the new launch date follows a string of delays that had taken place the week prior.
The October 5–7 delays were caused by a mix of high winds, bad weather, and a technical issue with the Atlas V 421’s telemetry transmitter. Per ULA:
The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrying the NROL-52 mission is scheduled for no earlier than Saturday, Oct. 14. The telemetry transmitter that caused Saturday’s launch delay has been replaced and tested. The launch vehicle and spacecraft remain secure in the Vertical Integration Facility.
[…] Everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V NROL-52 launch for the National Reconnaissance Office on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 3:31 a.m. ET. The live launch broadcast will begin at 3:11 a.m. ET. Today’s L-3 forecast shows a 60 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
This NROL-52 mission will chronicle the 74th flight of an Atlas V rocket and the seventh in the “421” configuration. Also, this will be URL’s seventh launch of 2017 and the 26th for the NRO.
Jason Rhian
Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills with internships at NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. He has provided content for outlets such as: Aviation Week & Space Technology, Space.com, The Mars Society and Universe Today.
