FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
Defense Logistics Agency Energy supported the last launch of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Nov. 10. The Atlas will be replaced with the ULA Vulcan rocket.
DLA Energy Aerospace Energy supplied 25,000 gallons of kerosene-based rocket propellant and 48,800 gallons of liquid oxygen to the Atlas V first stage booster. For the Centaur upper stage rocket, DLA Aerospace supplied 12,300 gallons of liquid hydrogen and 4,150 gallons of liquid oxygen, along with helium to pressurize these tanks.
The rocket carried the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Joint Polar Satellite System-2 and NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of Inflatable Decelerator.
The JPSS-2 satellite was supported with 1,001 pounds of DLA Energy-provided hydrazine to power its maneuver thrusters for orbital maintenance once in space. The JPSS-2, a polar orbiting satellite that helps forecasters predict weather three to seven days in advance, joined the fleet of JPSS satellites which for more than a decade have been orbiting Earth from the North to the South Pole 14 times a day. The satellites take measurements and snap images that help plan for hurricanes, snowstorms, floods, wildfires, and volcanic activity.
The LOFTID satellite is an inflatable heat shield technology demonstrator and is part of NASA’s Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator, or HIAD, program. According to a NASA press release, the technology tested by LOFTID could improve landing capability for missions to Mars, Venus, and Saturn's moon Titan allowing the landing of heavier payloads and safe touchdown at higher altitudes than are currently accessible.
Throughout 2022, DLA Energy Aerospace Energy supported 19 Defense Department and NASA space vehicles launches with hypergolic propellants. Among these include four missions for National Reconnaissance Office, three missions for the U.S. Space Force and 11 NASA missions with the James Webb Space Telescope being the most significant.