Atlas V Archives

ULA Prepares for Atlas V Launch as SpaceX Takes Over GPS Satellite Mission

By Richard Gallagher FMN April 8, 2025Atlas V, Space News, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance

A ULA Atlas rocket with four sold rocket boosters at LC-41 on 8-28-23 carrying NROL-107. Image by Richard P. Gallagher | FMN

Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is set to launch an Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying the first batch of production satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper internet constellation. Another ULA rocket, the Vulcan, will not be launching a previously assigned military GPS satellite. It has been reassigned to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, marking the second such change in recent months. Here’s what you need to know about these developments in the world of spaceflight.

Atlas V Launches USSF-51 Mission

By Richard Gallagher FMN July 30, 2024Atlas V, Space News, United Launch Alliance, US Space Force

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launching the USSF-51 mission rises majestically against a backdrop of a serene, early morning sky tinged with hues of pink and purple. Image by Richard P Gallagher

100th Mission: Last Space Force Launch on Atlas V

By Richard Gallagher FMN July 29, 2024Atlas V, Space News, United Launch Alliance

Payload fairing on the second stage of a ULA Atlas V rocket carrying a classified satellite for the Space Force. Image by Richard P Gallagher

Cape Canaveral, FL — On July 30, 2024, United Launch Alliance (ULA) will reach a milestone of sorts with the launch of the USSF-51 mission aboard an Atlas V rocket. The launch will be from Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station , and is scheduled for 6:45AM. This mission is not only important for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) but also the last national security mission that the ULA will execute using the workhorse Atlas V rocket. Future national security launches will be utilize the new ULA Vulcan booster.

The Third Time Is The Charm For Starliner

By Mark Stone FMN June 5, 2024Atlas V, Boeing, NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

Boeing Starliner finally heads to space. Photo: Chris Leymarie/FMN

For the first time since 1968, astronauts have been launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the first-ever manned mission from a Space Force installation. On June 5, at precisely 10:52 a.m. EDT, NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 aboard the Atlas V rocket, commencing the eagerly anticipated Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission.

Awaiting Starliner: Facts You May Not Know

By Mark Stone FMN June 4, 2024Atlas V, Boeing, Space News, United Launch Alliance

As Boeing, NASA, and United Launch Alliance (ULA) prepare for a third launch attempt of the Boeing Starliner set for June 5th, a lesser-known yet interesting fact has emerged. While the Starliner will be going to the ISS, it won’t be ULA’s Atlas/Centaur booster that takes it all the way there or even to low-earth orbit (LEO).

Starliner Moves Back To Launch Pad, Is Go For Launch Saturday

By Charles Boyer FMN May 30, 2024Atlas V, Aviation and Space News, Boeing, ISS, NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

Starliner arriving at the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 on Thursday morning.
Photo: Richard Gallagher, Florida Media Now

After three weeks of analysis and discussion between Boeing, NASA, and United Launch Alliance following the May 6, 2024 scrub, Boeing’s long road to lofting crew aboard Starliner to low-Earth orbit took a step towards launching this morning when it was moved to its launch pad. Liftoff of Atlas V and Starliner is scheduled for 12:25 PM EDT, Saturday, June 1st, from Space Launch Complex 41.

Starliner Launch Delayed Again, Now Is NET May 21

By Charles Boyer FMN May 14, 2024Atlas V, Space News, United Launch Alliance

Boeing Starliner sits atop an Atlas/Centaur booster at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station SLC-41 on May 6th. Photo: Charles Boyer/FMN

The target launch date for Boeing’s oft-delayed CFT-100 S tarliner capsule has been shifted again. The Crewed Flight Test of the vehicle is now targeted for May 21 at 4:14 PM EDT.

Atlas V Valve Issue Scrubs Starliner; Launch Date Now NET May 17

By Charles Boyer FMN May 7, 2024Atlas V, Aviation and Space News, ISS, NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

Atlas V and Starliner sits on Launch Complex 41 Monday night.
Photo: United Launch Alliance

UPDATE: Several sources are now reporting that Starliner will have to be rolled back from the pad with a new launch date NET May 17th.

Cape Canaveral It was all going well until it wasn’t. That’s often the story with launch attempts: tens of thousands of things must work perfectly, perform as planned, and operate normally, and only one thing has to go wrong for the attempt to be called off.

Starliner Crew Capsule on the Move

By Richard Gallagher FMN April 16, 2024Atlas V, KSC, NASA

*Starliner Crew Capsule being moved to the vertical integration facility. Image by: Richard P Gallagher*

As the aerospace community looks toward the future of crewed space travel, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner is poised to become a pivotal player in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. This morning’s rollout of the crew capsule ahead of the first crewed launch marks a significant milestone for Boeing. The Starliner spacecraft was moved from the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility (C3PF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center this morning at 4am to the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in order to be attached to the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

Boeing Starliner Launch Now NET May 1st

By Charles Boyer FMN March 22, 2024Atlas V, Aviation and Space News, ISS, NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

Boeing’s Crewed Flight Test of Starliner has pushed a little further to the right again and is now scheduled to launch no earlier than May 1st. That shift is not due to any concerns with the vehicle or its readiness, but instead, ISS scheduling, specifically docking port availability, when astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Willmore arrive at the orbiting outpost.

Rendering of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner docked at ISS

NASA’s Steve Stich Gives Quick Starliner Update

By Charles Boyer FMN February 28, 2024Atlas V, Aviation and Space News, NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

Rendering of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner docked at ISS
Graphic: Boeing Corporation

During the NASA Administrator Briefing from the Kennedy Space Center mainly centered around Crew-8 readiness today, Steve Stich, the Manager of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program gave some insight about the status of the planned first crewed flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner. That launch is currently planned for late April of this year.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper Takes Flight

By Mark Stone FMN October 6, 2023Atlas V, Space News, United Launch Alliance

‍A ULA Atlas V sends two test satellites to orbit for Amazon on Friday, October6. 2023. Photo by Mark Stone for FMN

In the quest to bridge the digital divide and provide new global internet connectivity to underserved communities, Amazon has embarked on an ambitious venture known as Project Kuiper. This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize satellite internet connectivity through the deployment of a vast constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).

Project Kuiper, spearheaded by Amazon, seeks to address the challenges of delivering broadband access to remote and underserved areas around the world. With the ultimate goal of providing fast, reliable, and affordable internet, Amazon plans to launch a total of 3,236 satellites into LEO. These satellites will form a constellation capable of delivering broadband connectivity to even the most remote corners of our planet.