Atlas III Team as NRO Payload is Delivered On Orbit By U.S Defense Security

It was touch and go from the moment of the first weather forecast. The launch opportunity was dismal only five percent just eight hours before liftoff. But, by the time midnight rolled around, the notoriously dynamic Florida weather had settled down. The 2:41 a.m. launch February 3 provided a spectacular sight once the rocket cleared the pad and broke through the fog bank into the night sky.

After the booster completed its job and the Centaur upper stage and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellite payload went into a “parking” orbit, the Atlas team paid a nostalgic farewell to the last of the “steel balloon” Atlases, designed with a thin pressurized stainless steel structure, and Launch Complex 36. Following a countdown from Michael Gass, vice president and general manager, Space Transportation, and Jim Sponnick, Atlas program vice president, the powerful searchlights illuminating both pads at Complex 36 went dark, symbolizing the end of launch operations from a pad that has made space history. “Ladies and gentlemen, as the lights go out on Complex 36, a new day will dawn shortly at Complex 41 and on the West Coast at Space Launch Complex 3 East,” said Gass. “Our team is now focused on expanding the Atlas legacy, daring to do the difficult and staying steadfast to one mission at a time.”

Commemorations, farewells and toasts notwithstanding, the mission to launch a national security payload was a complete success, thanks to launch management by International Launch Services (ILS) and a well-oiled Atlas team machine. Col. Chip Zakrzewski, director of the NRO’s Office of Space Launch, the customer for this launch, offered these words: “Five months and a few days ago, we launched a national security payload
for the National Reconnaissance Office off the last Atlas IIAS.

Tonight we launched another national security payload off the last IIIB from Complex 36. Although only a few will know the capability that has been put on orbit in these two missions, all those who cherish and strive for freedom will realize the benefits. To the Lockheed Martin team, to the whole Atlas team, farewell to the Atlas
IIIB and farewell to Complex 36.”