USSF-51 Rises with the Sun

Cape Canaveral S.F.S., FL. – This morning, July 30, 2024 a United Launch Alliance (U.L.A.) Atlas V 551 rocket roared to life at Launch Complex 41 in Florida marking a moment in history for UL.A. Rising above the Space Coast at the same time of the rising sun, the Atlas V rocket sent to orbit the top secret NRO USSF-51 satellite for the United States Space Force. 

Liftoff came at 6:45 AM EDT in a splendid show for the early risers in the area. The USSF-51 launch was the 100th mission supporting our national security and the last Space Force mission on a Atlas V rocket. 

As part of the mission logo and painted on the Atlas V were the words: ALIS GRAVE NIL, Latin for “Nothing is too heavy for those that have wings”.

In a statement from United Launch Alliance: “The Atlas family of rockets has played a pivotal role in the advancement of national security and space superiority since the 1950s,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “Although today marks the final liftoff of a National Security Space mission aboard an Atlas rocket, we look forward to extending a legacy of outstanding teamwork and collaboration with the U.S. Space Force as we launch future missions for our national security partners aboard the Vulcan rocket.”

In a continued statement from United Launch Alliance: “It’s incredibly gratifying to reflect on the steadfast partnership we’ve been honored to share with the U.S. Space Force since the founding of ULA,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue building on this trusted partnership and take very seriously the responsibility of promptly launching essential National Security Space satellite assets to orbit amidst the heightened threat environment our nation is facing in space.”

United Launch Alliance is in the process of transitioning to the new Vulcan family of rockets that will support commercial and military missions for years to come. Vulcan has already supported one launch in January 2024 when it launched the Peregrine Lunar Lander. Images Credit: Michael Howard, Michael Seeley and Graham Smith – We Report Space