ULA Vulcan Rocket to Launch First National Security Mission

Ракета Vulcan компании United Launch Alliance (ULA) проходит финальные приготовления к отправке секретного груза USSF-106 для Космических сил США со стартовой площадки 41 на базе Космических сил на мысе Канаверал, Флорида. Запуск запланирован на вторник вечером. Фото: Джо Марино/UPI

United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket is set for liftoff Tuesday evening carrying a classified payload of strategic importance to U.S. defense.

The Vulcan launch vehicle, located at the Space Force's Pad 41 in Florida, will launch the USSF-106 mission into orbit between 7:59 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. ET.

The rocket was transported to the launch pad on Monday, ULA representatives reported on the X social platform.

The flight will be the first national security mission using Vulcan, designed to deliver the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 into orbit.

NTS-3 is the Pentagon's first navigation satellite in 50 years. Developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, the satellite is designed to protect GPS technology and key systems from electronic countermeasures.

“Today we are participating in a landmark event for our program,” said Col. Jim Horn, mission director and senior logistics officer for the U.S. Space Systems Command.

“With this launch, we are finally ending the era of dependence on Russian rocket engines,” Horn said. “We now have stable access to space thanks to at least two independent rocket providers capable of launching our vehicles into orbit.”

For those wishing to watch the historic launch, ULA has published a map of the event's visibility zones.

“Want to witness the launch of Vulcan? This map shows the best times and locations to view USSF-106 from the Cape Canaveral launch pad on Tuesday evening,” the company said.

For those who cannot attend in person, the online broadcast will start approximately 20 minutes before the scheduled time.

Sourse: www.upi.com

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