L-3 Update: ULA Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 4 Mission

Everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V launch carrying the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO Flight 4 mission for the U.S. Air Force. The mission is set to lift off on a ULA Atlas V rocket on Thursday, Jan. 18 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Today’s L-3 forecast shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 7:52 p.m. ET.
 
The ULA Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 4 mission booklet is attached.
 
Remote Camera Set Up and Launch
Credentialed media planning to put remote cameras on SLC-41 should meet at the Space and History Center no later than 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
 
Credentialed media covering launch should meet at the Space and History Center no later than 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18.  
 
Launch Forecast Summary:
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
Primary concerns: Cumulus Clouds
 
Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 20%
Primary concern: Cumulus Clouds
 
Launch Broadcast Satellite Coordinates + Webcast
ALL TIMES EASTERN
 
LAUNCH
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18
BARS + TONE – 7:01 P.M.
PROGRAM START – 7:32 P.M.
 
DIGITAL SATELLITE C-BAND DOWNLINK
HD FORMAT
SATELLITE — G3
TRANSPONDER — 7
BAND — C-BAND DIGITAL
ORBITAL POSITION — 95°W
HD BANDWIDTH — 18 MHz (HALF TRANSPONDER)
UPLINK — 6,074.000 MHz (Horizontal)
DOWNLINK — 3,849.000 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