CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (ULA PR) — Everything is progressing towards the ULA Atlas V launch carrying the NROL-101 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.
The mission is set to lift off on Tue., Nov. 3 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch time is 5:58 p.m. EST.
Today’s forecast shows an 90 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
Live broadcast coverage of launch will begin at 5:38 p.m. EST Nov. 3.
Follow our live blog for official and timely information here. The live blog begins at 11:00 a.m. EST on launch day.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) will use an Atlas V 531 rocket to launch the NROL-101 mission. This will be 141st mission for United Launch Alliance and our 29th for the NRO. It is the 86th Atlas V launch and the 4th in the 531 configuration.
ULA’s Atlas V rocket is a workhorse for the U.S. military, intelligence community and scientific researchers. Developed as a modular vehicle, each Atlas V is tailored to the needs of its passenger by adding as many as five side-mounted solid rocket boosters for increased lift performance and a variety of available payload fairings in various diameters and lengths to protect satellites during atmospheric ascent.
The high-energy Centaur upper stage, which has been used to send spacecraft to every planet in our solar system, is incorporated into Atlas V to deliver the payloads to their intended destinations.
Launch Forecast Summary
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 10%
Primary concerns: Ground Winds
Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 30%
Primary concern: Ground Winds, Cumulous Cloud Rules