Eastern Range Instrumentation Bucks Myth; Supports 100th Straight Mission Without Being Cause of Launch Scrub

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. — With the successful
launch of a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS rocket Sept. 18, the
U.S. Air Force’s Eastern Range marked the 100th consecutive
launch where range instrumentation didn’t cause a postponement.

“One of the biggest myths out there is that Eastern Range
instrumentation is more often than not the reason for most
launch scrubs. That’s simply not true,” said Col. Mike
Lehnertz, vice commander of the 45th Space Wing, which manages
Eastern Range operations. “It’s been more than three years
since problems with range instrumentation scrubbed a launch.”

The current streak began on April 9, 1999 with the launch of
a Titan IV-B rocket. “One hundred straight is a remarkable
accomplishment, especially since we’re getting this done with
older equipment that we’re in the process of modernizing.
This success story is a testament to the dedication and
ingenuity of the joint Air Force/contractor team,” said
Lehnertz.

The Eastern Range is in the midst of a billion-dollar
modernization effort called Range Standardization and
Automation (RSA). This project will upgrade range
instrumentation with new fiber optics communications,
scheduling systems, weather equipment, state-of-the art
surveillance and flight safety analysis technology and more.

“These enhancements will further increase the reliability,
flexibility and capacity of the Eastern Range,” said Robert
Fore, chief of the 45th Logistics Group’s Performance
Management Division. “RSA will make a world-class operation
even better. What we’re seeing now is a preview of the
Eastern Range’s very bright future.”