Classified US Space Force Satellites Reach Geostationary Earth Orbit Completing Final National Security Atlas 5 Mission

A classified U.S. Space Force mission has successfully reached geostationary Earth orbit after being launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 rocket. The rocket lifted off precisely at 6:45 a.m. Eastern from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Designated USSF-51, this mission is part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, aimed at ensuring the United States maintains its strategic advantage in space. The USSF-51 mission marks ULA’s 100th national security mission and notably, the last NSSL launch on an Atlas 5 rocket. Future national security flights by ULA will utilize the new Vulcan Centaur rocket, with its second certification launch scheduled for September.

The Atlas 5 rocket that carried out the USSF-51 mission was a powerhouse of engineering, featuring a single-engine Centaur upper stage and five strap-on solid rocket boosters. The core stage was equipped with a Russian-made RD-180 engine, known for its reliability and thrust capabilities.

In a move to maintain the confidentiality of the mission, ULA terminated the live broadcast of the launch approximately three-and-a-half minutes after liftoff, immediately after the payload fairing was jettisoned. This request was made by the government to ensure the security and secrecy of the mission details.

The Space Systems Command later confirmed that the payload reached its intended orbit approximately seven hours post-liftoff. While specifics about the payload remain classified, it was reported that three payloads were successfully deployed during this mission, underscoring the successful execution and importance of this operation.

The transition from the Atlas 5 to the Vulcan Centaur rocket signifies a new era for ULA and the U.S. Space Force. The Vulcan Centaur is expected to bring enhanced capabilities and flexibility to future national security launches, continuing the legacy of reliability and success established by the Atlas 5.

As ULA and the U.S. Space Force continue to push the boundaries of space technology and national defense, the successful deployment of USSF-51 represents a critical step forward in maintaining the United States' strategic and security interests in space.