Skip to main content

Questions tagged [atlas-v]

Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family.

7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Did Boeing's Starliner do an inflight abort test?

Did the Starliner perform an inflight abort test? I could not find any videos to support the same. Isn't a pad abort and an in flight abort neccesary before sending humans to space? Can the starliner'...
Ashvin's user avatar
  • 2,888
3 votes
0 answers
147 views

Atlas V RD-180 Analysis

I was tasked with researching certain properties of the RD-180 engine. I am finding contradictory information, or I am unable to find it at all. I am looking for the following information Mixture ...
PilotGeometer's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why was the Atlas V's SRB kept attached for 1 minute after burnout in the OFT-2 mission?

In Boeing's OFT-2 mission, an Atlas V is the launch vehicle. The solid rocket booster burns out at T+ 1:35 minutes, but the boosters are jettisoned at T+ 2:40 minutes. Why are the boosters not ...
Ashvin's user avatar
  • 2,888
2 votes
0 answers
78 views

Atlas V booster appearance change in flight

In the livestream of the latest Atlas V 541 flight launching the GOES-T satelite I saw that the nosecones of the two visible boosters changed the appearance within a few seconds in the flight. Is this ...
Spaceman-21's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
328 views

ULA just launched a very asymmetric Atlas V 511. Why does its plume look so asymmetric... after SRB jettison?

I've never noticed this before, so I'm asking. Shortly after SRB ejection, the RD-180 plume appears to be very asymmetric. Why is this? If I recall correctly, these are full-flow & there isn't any ...
Anton Hengst's user avatar
  • 10.9k
3 votes
0 answers
86 views

Technical considerations aside, could I legally purchase three CCBs from ULA and build my own Atlas V Heavy?

We all know and mourn that the Atlas V will never fly in a three-core configuration. What, if anything, prevents me from legally purchasing three CCBs and launching my own Atlas V Heavy, provided I ...
Anton Hengst's user avatar
  • 10.9k
3 votes
1 answer
187 views

Does RUAG Space recover and reuse Ariane 5 and Atlas V payload fairings after splashdown?

RUAG Space is the company that manufactures payload fairings for the Ariane, Vega, Atlas V (500 series) and the upcoming Vulcan. Back when Spacex started trying to catch the fairing without it hitting ...
Speedphoenix's user avatar
  • 5,333
8 votes
0 answers
74 views

How long do we have contact with a centaur after launch

When centaur separates the payload, we can see a video signal of this happening. The mission of centaur is completed now, but are there still some activities centaur is performing after seperation? ...
RAD6000's user avatar
  • 1,178
4 votes
0 answers
66 views

What's the story behind the GEM-63 delay?

The Wikipedia page on the GEM-63 says that the Atlas V will start using it "in July 2019." But the Atlas V page says that the switch from the AJ-60A will happen "in the near future." That the switch ...
A. Howells's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
143 views

How did the Starliner get the wrong time?

According to NASA's blog, one of the problems with the failed Starliner mission was An error with the Mission Elapsed Timer (MET), which incorrectly polled time from the Atlas V booster nearly 11 ...
Machavity's user avatar
  • 7,935
4 votes
0 answers
145 views

Out of which alloys are the Common Core Booster and Common Booster Core propellent tanks manufactured?

All sources that I can find indicate that they are isogrid (or possibly orthogrid?) structural tanks manufactured of milled aluminum. However, I cannot find further detail about of which alloy ...
Anton Hengst's user avatar
  • 10.9k
2 votes
0 answers
109 views

How does the solid rocket booster jettison system work on an Atlas V?

Is safe booster separation (they call it "jettison") without recontact assured by separation motors, pushers, or what? The Juno Mission Overview refers to "structural thrusters" but that means ...
Organic Marble's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
92 views

Discrepancy between Launch Vehicle Performance website on Atlas V 551 with Juno

I was looking at the Juno space probe which was launched in August 2011 onboard an Atlas V 551. In particular I was looking at https://elvperf.ksc.nasa.gov/Pages/News.aspx and using the performance ...
chuckstables's user avatar
14 votes
1 answer
2k views

On large diameter Atlas V fairings, why is the Centaur inside the fairing?

When including an image in an answer to this question: Was New Horizons launched on a copper rocket? I noticed that for the larger diameter fairings (Atlas 501 and up) the Centaur upper stage is ...
Organic Marble's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
304 views

What is the Oxidiser/Fuel Ratio of the Atlas V Centaur Upper Stage?

I can't find this information anywhere for the single or double engine variant. could it be variable? Or is it a secret?
sleepingNewton's user avatar

15 30 50 per page