[Launch Alert] Delta IV Heavy Update

[Launch Alert]

60 YEARS AGO TODAY

The first-ever missile launch took place from Vandenberg AFB 60 years ago today. The vehicle was a Thor intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM). The launch was conducted from pad 75-1-1 and the operation was called "Tune Up."

DELTA IV HEAVY UPDATE

The following are excerpts from a ULA media update issued yesterday:

Everything is progressing toward the ULA Delta IV Heavy launch carrying the NROL-71 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The mission is set to lift off on a Delta IV Heavy rocket on Tuesday, Dec. 18 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Today’s forecast shows a 20 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 5:57 p.m. PST.

Launch Forecast Summary:
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 80%
Primary concerns: Ground Winds
Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 20%
Primary concern: Ground Winds

Launch Broadcast
Live broadcast coverage of launch will begin at 5:37 p.m. PST on Dec. 18.
Live launch updates and webcast available at:  www.ulalaunch.com

*Note: Satellite frequencies changed from previous attempts

ALL TIMES PACIFIC

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18
BARS + TONE – 5:06 P.M.
PROGRAM START –  5:37 P.M.
LAUNCH –  5:57 P.M

DIGITAL SATELLITE C-BAND DOWNLINK
HD FORMAT
SATELLITE — G3
TRANSPONDER — 2
BAND — C-BAND DIGITAL
ORBITAL POSITION — 95°W
HD BANDWIDTH — 18 MHz (HALF TRANSPONDER)
UPLINK — 5, 974.000 MHz (Horizontal)*
DOWNLINK — 3,7 49.000 MHz (Vertical)* 
SYMBOL RATE — 13
FEC — ¾
DATA RATE — 17.9705
DVBS – QPSK
MPEG 2
AUDIO EMBEDDED

Webcast available at  www.ulalaunch.com  and  www.youtube.com/unitedlaunchalliance