Atlas V successfully deploys communications satellite

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Florida -- An overnight launch sent an Atlas V launching into orbit at 1:55 a.m. Monday.

An Atlas V rocket launched early this morning has successfully deployed its Intelsat-14 commercial communications satellite in orbit, United Launch Alliance reports.

The satellite will provide high-powered video and data services through its 40 C-band and 22 Ku-band payload to customers throughout the Americas, Europe and Africa and replace the Intelsat IS-1R satellite once it is operational, according to Intelsat.

The spacecraft also carried a U.S. Department of Defense payload designed to demonstrate a capability to beam the Internet through space.

"ULA congratulates our commercial space partners Intelsat, Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, and Space Systems/Loral on their mission success," said Mark Wilkins, ULA vice president of the Atlas product line, in a statement.

"ULA also appreciates the dedicated and professional support from the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center and 45th Space Wing in the success of today's launch. With this launch, nine of the Atlas V's 19 launches since 2002 have been commercial missions, demonstrating the outstanding flexibility of the Atlas V team to support both government and commercial customers.

"The press release continues: This mission, designated AV-024, was launched aboard an Atlas V 431 configuration using a Common Core Booster powered by a RD-180 engine, three Aerojet strap-on solid rocket motors, a Centaur upper stage powered by a Pratt & Whitney-manufactured RL10 engine, and a 4-meter diameter fairing.

This successful Intelsat-14 launch represents the 35th launch by ULA since it's formation in Dec 2006. ULA's next launch is the Delta IV Wideband Global SATCOM-3 mission for the Air Force currently scheduled for Dec. 2 with a launch window of 7:21 to 8:53 p.m. EST. The launch will occur from SLC-37 here.

ULA program management, engineering, test and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo. Manufacturing, assembly, and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., Harlingen, Texas, San Diego, Calif., and Denver, Colo. Launch operations are located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

For more information on the ULA joint venture, visit the ULA Web site at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).

Here's an additional release from the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing:

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. - The 45th Space Wing launched successfully a United Launch Alliance-built Atlas V Evolved ExpendableLaunch Vehicle carrying the Intelsat-14 commercial communication ssatellite from Space Launch Complex 41 at 1:55 a.m. (EST) today.

"This launch helps to ensure that vital communications will continue to bolster our nation's capabilities and showcases why the 45th Space Wing is the world's premiere gateway to space," said Brig. Gen. Edward L.Bolton Jr., 45th Space Wing commander.

This mission was the 17th flight of an Atlas V rocket from the Cape and the 19th launch overall this year on the Eastern Range."I'm thrilled the launch went so well and the mission is a success,"said 2nd Lt. Drew Peterson, 5th Space Launch Squadron, who served as Atlas V Mission Lead for the Intelsat-14 satellite.

"I'd like to thank the entire team for this great achievement." Lieutenant Peterson was responsible for overseeing the receipt, integration and launch of the $700 million United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Intelsat satellite.

IMAGE NOTE: An Atlas V rocket with the commercial Intelsat 14 satellite launches from Space Launch Complex-41 at 1:55 a.m. EST today. The United Launch Alliance Atlas V was launched on behalf of Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services.

The Intelsat 14 satellite will provide high-powered video and data services through its 40 C-band and 22 Ku-band payload to customers throughout the Americas, Europe and Africa.

Photo by Pat Corkery, Lockheed Martin and United Launch Alliance.