LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — The U.S. Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched the AFSPC 5 mission aboard the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) procured United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida at 11:05 a.m. EDT. There were no issues reported with the launch.
“Today’s successful launch and is the direct result of dedicated government/contractor teamwork and focus on mission success,” said Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, commander of SMC. “This marks EELV’s 83rd successful launch and we will continue our unwavering focus on mission success.”
This was the fourth time that the X-37B has flown on an Atlas V launch vehicle. The heart of the first stage is the common core booster which is about 106 feet in length and more than 12 feet in diameter. The common core booster can provide thrust up to 850,000 pounds at full throttle.
Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force’s center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes the Global Positioning System, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space based infrared systems and space situational awareness capabilities.
