Cape Canaveral, Florida – The Space Coast is gearing up for a spectacular sight as a 196-foot-tall Atlas V rocket prepares to launch on a secret Space Force mission. This launch marks only the second Atlas V liftoff this year, following the Boeing Starliner Crewed Flight Test earlier. Scheduled for liftoff at 6:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 30, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will carry the United States Space Force USSF-51 mission from Launch Complex-41, just south of Kennedy Space Center.
Weather conditions for the upcoming launch are looking favorable, with a mere 20% chance of anything hindering the liftoff. The rocket’s five solid rocket boosters, strategically placed around the core rocket, will provide the initial push required to propel it off the launch pad, creating a stunning display of power.
As the Atlas V rocket nears its retirement, it embarks on its final national security payload mission with the USSF-51 undertaking. This mission, the rocket’s 58th launch for national security purposes, will carry a top secret payload for the United States Space Force Systems Command. The nature of the payload and its destination remain undisclosed due to the mission’s classified national security importance.
The United Launch Alliance is also celebrating a significant milestone with USSF-51, marking their 100th mission providing launch services with their fleet of rockets. Looking ahead, the company’s Vulcan rocket is set to replace the Atlas V and the now-retired Delta IV in future missions.
With USSF-51, the Atlas V rocket receives a fitting tribute with a specially designed mission patch featuring a blue outline of a horse behind the rocket against a backdrop of stars. This unique design, featured on the payload fairings and the mission patch, honors the tradition of using animal mascots for top secret missions.
Stay updated with the latest news and updates from Cape Canaveral by following the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team. Contact Brooke Edwards, Space Reporter for Florida Today, for more information and insights on upcoming launches and space missions. Email Brooke at bedwards@floridatoday.com or connect with her on Twitter at @brookeofstars.