Boosted with Defense Logistics Agency Energy-provided liquid propellant, the U.S. Space Force launched its first mission sending a military communications satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, March 26.
The DLA Energy Aerospace team supplied rocket propellant for the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and hydrazine for the upper stage of the rocket and the satellite onboard.
“As the nation battles against the coronavirus pandemic, I am proud of our team of acquisition professionals who helped support this launch executing critical support supplying vital space launch products,” said DLA Energy Aerospace Energy Director of Customer Operations Stephen Nichols.
Based in San Antonio, Texas, Aerospace Energy is the Defense Department’s Integrated Materiel Manager for liquid rocket propellants and missile fuels, specialty chemicals, compressed gases and cryogens, in bulk quantities.
Despite reduced staffing in an effort to practice social distancing, the mission-essential launch continued as planned carrying in to space the sixth and final Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite for the joint service satellite communications system. DLA Energy provided support for all six AEHF satellites in the global, secure and protected communication system for military ground, sea and air assets.
DLA Energy Aerospace Energy Director of Supplier Operations Douglas Smith said helping further the mission of the newest branch of the Armed Forces is of utmost importance to the Aerospace Energy team.
“This launch was made possible through the hard work and diligence of Aerospace Energy staff,” Smith said. “Supporting space launch is always exciting, but it isn’t often you are able to say you supported the first of anything, so for us to be a part of this inaugural Space Force launch is special and meaningful.”
DLA Energy Aerospace Energy manages the worldwide acquisition of missile fuels, liquid propellants for space launch and satellites, aviator’s breathing oxygen and other bulk industrial chemicals and gases – including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, hydrogen and helium.