AFSPC-11 Launch

[Frank99]

The United Launch Alliance, a 50/50 business relationship by defense contractors Boeing and Lockheed, successfully launched the AFSPC-11 classified communication satellite for the Air Force.  The Atlas 5-551 is the most powerful Atlas variant with a sea level thrust off the pad of 2.4 million pounds.  The Atlas 5-551 vehicle consists of a 5-meter diameter fairing, five AJ-60A solid-fueled boosters and a single engined Centaur upper stage.

http://nasatech.net/ntAFSPC-11_PAGE.html

 

Next up, the launch of NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Full Thrust block 4 booster.

http://nasatech.net/ntTESS_PAGE.html