A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-series (GOES-R) for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 Nov. 19 at 6:42 p.m. EST. The Atlas V launched the GOES-R spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit. As the next generation of GOES satellites, GOES-R will produce images of weather patterns and severe storms as frequently as every 30 seconds. This is ULA’s 10th launch in 2016 and the 113th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.
“We are honored that NASA and NOAA have entrusted ULA with the launch of the GOES-R satellite and grateful for the phenomenal teamwork that made today’s launch a success,” said Laura Maginnis, ULA vice president of Custom Services.
This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 541 configuration vehicle, which includes a 5-meter large Payload Fairing (PLF) and four solid rocket boosters. The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine, and the Centaur upper stage was powered by the Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C engine.
“ULA’s Atlas and Delta vehicles successfully launched every operational GOES satellite, beginning with the launch of GOES-A in 1975,” said Maginnis. “We are proud to have partnered with NASA and NOAA in continuing to deliver this capability to millions around the globe.”
ULA’s next launch is the Delta IV WGS-8 satellite for the U.S. Air Force. The launch is scheduled for Dec. 7 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 110 satellites to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, and enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system.
