The dawn of a new era of global internet connectivity broke Friday, October 6, with the launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket on a mission to deliver the first two satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit. The launch put L3Harris’ advanced technologies on display, as our spaceflight avionics and propulsion systems provided excellent performance throughout the mission.
The ULA Atlas V rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on a mission to deliver the first two Project Kuiper satellites into a precise orbit. When complete, the Project Kuiper constellation will include 3,236 satellites.
“Playing a key role in launching the first two spacecraft of this large-scale commercial satellite constellation that will connect unserved and underserved communities around the world is something I’m sure every L3Harris employee who worked on this project finds very rewarding,” said Ross Niebergall, President, Aerojet Rocketdyne. “We look forward to many more Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur launches that will help build out the constellation to bring this truly transformational capability online.”
The L3Harris avionics and Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion systems were critical to the launch. The highly reliable and expanded avionics suite ensures the rocket remains on its trajectory and communicates the health of the rocket during its ascent. It also manages safe and secure delivery of power distribution and control, and supports the range safety system in the event of an anomaly during launch.
Following booster stage separation, Aerojet Rocketdyne’s RL10 engine ignited to provide 22,300 pounds of thrust to propel the Atlas V’s Centaur upper stage while 12 Aerojet Rocketdyne MR-106 reaction control thrusters helped steer the stage to place the payload into a precise orbit. Additionally, Aerojet Rocketdyne’s ARDÉ subsidiary builds composite overwrapped pressure vessels that support the operation of Centaur and the Atlas V’s first stage.
L3Harris has been supporting U.S. national security and space exploration programs for decades, a legacy that will continue with ULA’s new Vulcan Centaur rocket, the successor to the Atlas V, which is expected to fly its first mission later this year. This mission marked the 522nd RL10 engine to fly in space and was ULA’s 158th successful launch.
L3Harris has more than 60 years of providing highly reliable launch avionics and communications technology to the space programs. With the recent addition of Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris now provides the most advanced space propulsion and power systems to the space launch industry.
