The US Air Force (USAF) Space Command’s AFSPC-11 multi-payload mission has been successfully launched on-board a United Launch Alliance (ULA) rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The mission was lifted off on the Atlas V 551 configuration evolved expendable launch vehicle (EELV).
The booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine, while the Centaur upper stage was powered by the Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C-1 engine and five AJ-60A solid rocket boosters (SRBs).
The AFSPC-11 mission involved deployment of continuous broadcast augmenting satcom (CBAS) communications satellite and the EELV secondary payload adapter (ESPA) augmented geosynchronous experiment (EAGLE) satellite in geosynchronous orbit.
ULA Government and Commercial Programs vice-president Gary Wentz said: “Today’s launch is a testament to why the ULA team continually serves as our nation’s most reliable and successful launch provider for our nation’s most critical space assets.
“I want to thank the entire ULA team, and the phenomenal teamwork of our mission partners.”
CBAS spacecraft is designed to broadcast military data on a continuous basis through space-based, satellite communications relay links to support senior leaders and combatant commanders. The satellite completed launch base testing on 15 March this year.
Developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate scientists and engineers, the EAGLE spacecraft flight experiment seeks to expand space access, improve spacecraft resiliency and enhance space situational awareness (SSA).
