Nichols Martin
United Launch Alliance is preparing to launch an Atlas V rocket with two U.S. Space Force satellites designed to support orbital situational awareness and national safety.
The USSF-8 mission’s GSSAP-5 and GSSAP-6 satellites will fly to space and then operate from a near-geosynchronous orbit to inform orbital predictions under the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, ULA said Wednesday.
The Space Force intends to use the assets to ensure satellite collision avoidance and support other aspects of space flight safety.
The launch is scheduled to take place on Jan. 21 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and will employ a 196-foot-tall Atlas V 511 configuration rocket.
“We have been working collaboratively with the USSF team to prepare for this launch and keep our teams safe and healthy,” said Gary Wentz, vice president of government and commercial programs at ULA.
The company has made 90 Atlas V rocket liftoffs to date. The upcoming mission will be ULA’s first launch of 2022.
