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ULA MUOS-3 Atlas V 551

Launch Status
Success

Rocket Launch Video Stream

About the MUOS-3 Mission

Mission details for MUOS-3
TypeGovernment/Top Secret
OrbitGeostationary Transfer Orbit
Launch Cost$153,000,000

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-052, will launch the third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite for the U.S. Navy.a

Launch Pad & Location

Space Launch Complex 41

Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Launch statistics for Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Launches125
Orbital Launch Attempts125
Total Launches1130

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.

Find the best place to watch the launch from Florida

ULA Atlas V 551 Rocket

Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with Boeing. Each Atlas V rocket uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen to power its first stage and an American-built RL10 engine burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its Centaur upper stage. The RD-180 engines are provided by RD Amross, while Aerojet Rocketdyne provides both the RL10 engines and the strap-on boosters used in some configurations. The standard payload fairing sizes are 4 or 5 meters in diameter and of various lengths. Fairings sizes as large as 7.2 m in diameter and up to 32.3 m in length have been considered. The rocket is assembled in Decatur, Alabama and Harlingen, Texas.

Rocket specifications for ULA Atlas V 551
Length59.7 m
Diameter3.8 m
Stages1-2
Launch Mass573.0 T
Takeoff Thrust12,269.0 kN
Apogee40,000.0 km
LEO Capacity18,850 kg
GTO Capacity8,890 kg
GEO Capacity3,850 kg
Launch Cost$153,000,000
Maiden Flight1/19/2006

Learn more about the ULA Atlas V 551 Rocket

About ULA

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.

Launch statistics for ULA
Total Launches175
Successful175
Pending73
Consecutive Success175

Learn more about ULA

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the ULA Atlas V 551 MUOS-3 launch scheduled?

The ULA Atlas V 551 MUOS-3 launch was scheduled for:
.

Where can I watch the ULA Atlas V 551 MUOS-3 launch video?

You can watch the ULA Atlas V 551 launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.

Where did the ULA Atlas V 551 MUOS-3 mission launch from?

The ULA Atlas V 551 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.

What rocket was used for the MUOS-3 mission?

The MUOS-3 mission launched aboard a ULA Atlas V 551 rocket. Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with Boeing. Each Atlas V rocket uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen to power its first stage and an American-built RL10 engine burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its Centaur upper stage. The RD-180 engines are provided by RD Amross, while Aerojet Rocketdyne provides both the RL10 engines and the strap-on boosters used in some configurations. The standard payload fairing sizes are 4 or 5 meters in diameter and of various lengths. Fairings sizes as large as 7.2 m in diameter and up to 32.3 m in length have been considered. The rocket is assembled in Decatur, Alabama and Harlingen, Texas. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.

What weather conditions could have delayed the ULA Atlas V 551 MUOS-3 launch?

The ULA Atlas V 551 MUOS-3 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.

How can I get updates if the ULA Atlas V 551 MUOS-3 launch was delayed?

This page was updated in real-time with the latest ULA Atlas V 551 launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the MUOS-3 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official ULA live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.

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