[Launch Alert] Saturday Launch Information

[Launch Alert]

Here is additional information about this Saturday's Delta IV Heavy rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB, Calif.

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The following is an edited version of a launch update issued by the United Launch Alliance:

Everything is progressing toward the ULA Delta IV Heavy launch carrying the NROL-91 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The mission is set to lift off on Sat., Sept. 24 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch time is 2:53 p.m. PDT. Today’s forecast shows a 90 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

Delta IV Heavy NROL-91 mission information: https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-91

Launch Forecast Summary:
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 10%
Primary concern: Thick Clouds

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24-hour delay: 10%
Primary concerns: Liftoff Winds

Launch Broadcast
Live broadcast coverage of launch available at: www.ulalaunch.com (www.ulalaunch.com). The NROL-91 launch broadcast will start at 2:33 p.m. PDT.

Live launch updates available at: www.ulalaunch.com (www.ulalaunch.com).
Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch (www.facebook.com/ulalaunch), twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch
Hashtags #DeltaIVHeavy #NROL91

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The following is my visibility prediction:

Weather permitting, the rocket and its semi-transparent orange flame will only be easily visible to the unaided eye from west Lompoc and Gaviota. Observers who know what to look for may be able to see the rocket and flame with the unaided eye as far away as Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Summerland. As the rocket passes through 33,000-38,000 feet, it will briefly produce a bright white contrail that could visible for at least 100 statute miles.

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The following is a news release from the U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command:

U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command prepares to launch NRO payload aboard final United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy from West Coast this weekend

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command, the National Reconnaissance Office, and United Launch Alliance are preparing to launch a Delta IV Heavy rocket this weekend from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-6 at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) in northern Santa Barbara County. Scheduled to lift off Sept. 24 at 2:53 p.m. PDT, this will be the final Delta IV Heavy to launch from the West Coast.

“We’re on track to launch another national capability into space. This will be our sixth national security launch this year. We’ve worked alongside ULA to prepare this Delta IV Heavy, and in just a few days, we will see the fruits of our labor.” said Brig. Gen. Stephen Purdy, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space. “These launches place critical capabilities into orbit for our nation and our allies in a time of increasing risks and threats. Every member of our launch team understands what’s at stake and works with both care and efficiency to prepare for what’s going to be a tremendous launch.”

The Atlas/Delta team in El Segundo, Calif., will be performing two launches within weeks of each other with less than half the staff used in the past and a more consolidated engineering approach to both Atlas and Delta missions, across both coasts.

“This team will accomplish an unprecedented feat, and I am very proud of their focused dedication to missions of both the Atlas and Delta launch vehicles,” said Lt. Col. Scott Carstetter, Delta IV Materiel Leader. “In the past, there were two separate teams of fully staffed personnel when close launches occurred.”

SSC is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for rapidly developing, acquiring, equipping, fielding, and sustaining lethal and resilient space capabilities. SSC mission capability areas include launch acquisition and operations, communications and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), space sensing, battle management command, control and communications (BMC3), and space domain awareness & combat power. SSC is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, Calif.