Space Systems Command (SSC), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), United Launch Alliance (ULA) and their mission partners successfully launched the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission aboard an Atlas V rocket today at 8:47 a.m. EDT (5:47 a.m. PDT) from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This was the first Atlas V “551” (Five-meter fairing, five graphite epoxy motor (GEM)-63 solid rocket boosters, and one RL-10 upper stage engine) launch for the NSSL program from CCSFS this year.
“Absolutely fantastic! This is why our launch industry is the best in the world…it’s our team, plain and simple. The folks who made this happen today are mission-focused, incredibly disciplined, and extremely talented,” said Lt. Col. Alex Jehle, SSC’s launch vehicle materiel leader. “Today, we get to celebrate our 99th NSSL launch of another one-of-a-kind asset that will boost our nation’s capabilities globally.”
In total, the Atlas family has launched numerous payloads including military, government, commercial weather, communications, and science satellites, experimental satellites, robotic probes for exploration, planetary orbiters & rovers, lunar explorers, space planes, two spacecraft to the International Space Station, and one space telescope. The launch of SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 builds upon this long and proud tradition. The operational contributions made by the Atlas family, and those team members that made it possible, will benefit generations to come.
With this launch, one more Atlas V 551 remains in the NSSL inventory as the Space Force approaches the end of a long and overwhelmingly successful era featuring the mighty Atlas.
“Our launches bring together people from across the United States, from multiple organizations and disciplines: engineering, operations, launch range, management, space vehicle and more, and they all function seamlessly,” said Col. James Horne, SSC’s senior materiel leader for Launch Execution. “We’re near the end of an era with NSSL Atlas V. We remain grateful for the industry and government partnership that ensures continued mission success and look forward to an exciting future as we transition to the Vulcan launch system.”
Assured Access to Space (AATS) is the program executive office within Space Systems Command that is responsible for delivering next-generation launch and on-orbit capabilities in support of the warfighter, combatant commands, intelligence agencies, civil services, allied nations and the commercial space industry. AATS is also responsible for range sustainment programs supporting launch and test customers. Innovation focus areas include sub-orbital rapid strategic mobility, on-orbit servicing and maneuvering, mission lifecycle management and tactically responsive launch.
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in and from space. SSC manages an $15 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.
