USSF-51
.jpg?lang=en) USSF-51 Launch | |
| Operator | USSF |
|---|---|
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 30 July 2024 10:45 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas V 551 (AV-101) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-41 |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geosynchronous orbit |
USSF-51 is an American National Security Space Launch Mission under the vision of United States Space Force. The launch is significant as it is the Last launch for United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket for National Security Mission. After reaching orbit Three Satellite are deployed named USA-396, USA-397 and USA-398. In October 2025, one more satellite is deployed named USA-566.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Overview
[edit]USSF had assigned USSF-106 Mission to ULA in 2020. At the time it was planned to be the first National Security Mission on Vulcan Centaur but after reassignment to an Atlas V, USSF-106 become the first National Security Mission on Vulcan Centaur.[9]
This mission is also last use of Russian RD-180 engine on US National Security Missions which is used on ULA's Atlas V rocket and is replaced with American made BE-4 engines, two of them is used on ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket starting with USSF-106 Mission in August 2025.[10]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "USSF-51 (USA-396 to 398) | Atlas V 551 | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ Davenport, Justin (29 July 2024). "Atlas V successfully launched its last ever national security mission". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "ULA launches Atlas 5 rocket on the company's 100th national security mission – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ Wall, Mike (29 July 2024). "Atlas V rocket launches its final national security mission for US military (video)". Space. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Atlas V USSF-51". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ ULA. "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 100th National Security Mission". newsroom.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "USA 396, 397, 398 (USSF 51)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "USSF-51 (USA-396 to 398) | Atlas V 551 | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "FY20 NSS Missions". U.S. Air Force. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ Ferster, Warren (17 September 2014). "ULA To Invest in Blue Origin Engine as RD-180 Replacement". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 18 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
- Bergin, Chris. "NASASpaceFlight.com".
- Clark, Stephen. "Spaceflight Now".
- Kelso, T.S. "Satellite Catalog (SATCAT)". CelesTrak.
- Krebs, Gunter. "Chronology of Space Launches".
- Kyle, Ed. "Space Launch Report". Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "GCAT Orbital Launch Log".
- Pietrobon, Steven. "Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive".
- Wade, Mark. "Encyclopedia Astronautica".
- Webb, Brian. "Southwest Space Archive".
- Zak, Anatoly. "Russian Space Web".
- "ISS Calendar". Spaceflight 101.
- "NSSDCA Master Catalog". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
- "Хроника освоения космоса" [Chronicle of space exploration]. CosmoWorld (in Russian).
- "Rocket Launch Manifest". Next Spaceflight.
- "Space Launch Plans". Novosti Kosmonavtiki.
- "Space Satellite Tracking". N2YO.
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