ULA - Atlas V / AEHF-6 Mission poster.
March 26, 2020
Atlas V launches AEHF-6
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 launch vehicle launched the AEHF-6 satellite from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on 26 March 2020, at 20:18 UTC (16:18 EDT). Built by Lockheed Martin, Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites provide highly-secure, jam-proof connectivity for the U.S. Air Force. The mission was the 83rd for an Atlas V launch vehicle and the 11th in the 551 configuration. The Atlas V 551 rocket is the most powerful in the Atlas V fleet.
Atlas V launches AEHF-6
Atlas V is enhancing the AEHF-6 satellite's trip to space by using all of the vehicle's performance to deliver the payload with a much higher perigee, or low point of the transfer orbit, and substantially reducing inclination relative to the equator. Those actions by the launch vehicle will benefit the satellite and conserve its onboard fuel supply by getting AEHF-5 closer to geosynchronous orbit.
AEHF-6 satellite
United Launch Alliance used an Atlas V 551 rocket to launch the sixth and final spacecraft in the Lockheed Martin-built Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) series for the U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center. AEHF satellites provide global, survivable, protected communications capabilities for strategic command and tactical warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms. Atlas V rockets successfully launched the first five AEHF satellites between 2010 and 2019.
For more information about United Launch Alliance (ULA), visit: https://www.ulalaunch.com/
Images, illustrations and video footage Credits: courtesy of United Launch Alliance (ULA)/Music: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart courtesy of YouTube Audio Library/SciNews/Text, Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
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