What Do SBIRS-GEO-3, Gemini VII and Bumper 7 All Have in Common?

Bill Jelen

January 27, 2018

Filtered by Tag: sbirs geo-4

An Atlas V rocket, flying in the 411 configuration lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Friday, January 19, 2018. The logo on the fairing clearly said SBIRS-GEO-4, but the satellite inside the fairing was the third Space-Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS-GEO-3) satellite off the production line. This isn't the first time that a mission launched out of sequence. Gemini-7 launched before Gemini-6. Bumper-8 launched before Bumper-7. And now, the 4th SBIRS-GEO launched one year before the third SBIRS-GEO.

Read More
A unique, low angle image shows the Air Force's Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Flight-4 (SBIRS GEO-4) satellite just after its final encapsulation at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo courtesy Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Colorado)

45th Space Wing Prepares for SBIRS GEO-4 Launch on January 18, 2018

ULA

CAPE CANAVERAL: The Air Force's Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Flight-4 (SBIRS GEO-4) satellite completed encapsulation on January 9th at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Today, on January 10, 2018, GEO-4 will make the journey to Space Launch Complex-41, where it will be mated with its Atlas V-411 rocket. It is scheduled for launch on Jan. 18, 2018, at 7:52 p.m., Eastern.

Read More

We Report Space Book
The Book

Stunning, full color photo book covering every east coast launch spanning 2014-2015, including the first-ever powered landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

More Info