Questions tagged [atlas-v]
Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family.
37 questions
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'...
- 3,440
3 votes
0 answers
179 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 ...
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 ...
- 3,440
2 votes
0 answers
102 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 ...
- 21
6 votes
1 answer
398 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 ...
- 11.8k
3 votes
0 answers
98 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 ...
- 11.8k
3 votes
1 answer
237 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 ...
- 5,545
8 votes
0 answers
99 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? ...
- 1,264
4 votes
0 answers
88 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 ...
- 303
3 votes
0 answers
203 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 ...
- 8,236
4 votes
0 answers
179 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 ...
- 11.8k
2 votes
0 answers
148 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 ...
- 198k
2 votes
0 answers
102 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 ...
- 201
14 votes
1 answer
3k 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 ...
- 198k
2 votes
1 answer
381 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?
