AEHF-3 (USA 246)

Spacecraft nº:

US spacecraft nº:

Launch data: Designation  39256 / 13050A Launch date  18 Sept 2013 - 08:10 UT Launch site  CC, SLC-41 Launch vehicle  Atlas 5/531( AV-041) Mission  Mil. highly-secure communications Supersynchronous Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  225 x 50057 km Eccentricity   Inclination  20.52 deg Period   min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch the third Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide highly-secure communications. The rocket will fly in the 531 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

Mission details:

• Delayed from Sept. 13, 2013.
• The third Advanced EHF communications satellite for the US Air Force was launched on Atlas AV-041 on Sep 18, 2013. AV-041 reached a 178 x 1041 km x 27.5 deg parking orbit followed by a 225 x 50057 km x 20.52 deg supersynchronous deployment orbit.
  The satellite has a Japanese IHI BT-4 bipropellant thruster and an Aerojet electric propulsion system.