Atlas V Carried CLIO Satellite For The U.S. Government

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the CLIO mission for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company launched at 2010 EDT today from Space Launch Complex-41.

"It is an honor to work with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company and all of our mission partners to launch this very important satellite," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs. "Today's launch marks ULA's 11th successful mission this year and the 88th successful mission since ULA was formed in December 2006, a true testament to the teams focus on mission success, one launch at a time."

This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V 401 configuration vehicle, which includes a 12-foot-diameter payload fairing. The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine, and the Centaur upper stage was powered by a single Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10A engine.

"The ULA, Lockheed Martin, supplier, and government teams seamlessly integrated to ensure accurate delivery of the CLIO mission to orbit," said Sponnick.

The CLIO system is based on innovative commercial technology, and includes Lockheed Martin's A2100 satellite bus. The A2100 bus is a common framework that includes the satellite's solar arrays, propulsion system and core electronics. There are currently more than 40 A2100 spacecraft in orbit with more than 400 collective years of on-orbit service, including both commercial and U.S. Government satellites.

"We are very proud to deliver mission success for our U.S. Government customer," said Rick Ambrose, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems. "Our A2100 bus provides outstanding reliability, flexibility and proven performance, all at an affordable cost to our customers."

ULA's next launch is the Atlas V GPS IIF-8 mission for the United States Air Force scheduled for Oct. 29, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

(Image provided by ULA)

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