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ILS Atlas V Receives Another Launch Contract for NRO Satellite |
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MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 8/Satnews Daily/ — International Launch Services (ILS) said on Monday it has received authorization from the U.S. Air Force to begin operations for launch of another national security payload on an Atlas V vehicle in mid-2007 from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
This launch, designated NROL-24 for the National Reconnaissance Office, is one of seven initially assigned to ILS and the Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Atlas V launcher under the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. ILS, a Lockheed Martin Corp. joint venture, now has 16 EELV assignments. This is the sixth to be given the go-ahead for launch.
Lockheed Martin developed the Atlas V launcher to meet Air Force EELV requirements and for ILS commercial missions. The Atlas V vehicle has flown four times since its debut in 2002; all successfully and all for commercial customers. The most recent Atlas V launch took place in December from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and another commercial mission is planned for March. The first government EELV launch of Atlas V is planned for April 2006.
The NROL-24 mission will use the Atlas V "401" configuration - with a 4-meter payload fairing, an Atlas Common Core Booster with no solid rocket motors, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage - and will launch from Atlas V's state-of-the-art Launch Complex 41. Details about the payload are classified.
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