GOES-S Countdown to T-Zero, Episode 4: Ready to Roll

3:09


00:00 Launch controller: ROC, report range status.
00:01 Launch controller: Range green.
00:02 Launch commentator: T-minus five, four, three, two, one.
00:09 Go for main engine start.
00:11 Zero and liftoff.
00:17 Two weeks to T-0.
00:21 Today is another huge milestone for NOAA’s GOES-S mission.
00:25 "So today we start something called encapsulation.
00:28 By encapsulation we actually put a container around the satellite it’s called a payload
00:32 fairing.
00:33 That payload fairing is going to protect the satellite for the first three and a half minutes
00:37 of mission.
00:38 That sounds like a very short period of time, but in fact, you know that's when we would
00:41 have the maximum aerodynamic and acoustic loads on the satellite, so we're trying to
00:45 protect the satellite.
00:46 Right now we really have tested everything we need to do to make sure this satellite
00:50 is ready for launch.
00:51 Next time we'll see this satellite is on orbit."
00:53 Shooting off the launch pad like a bullet, this vehicle will rocket past the speed of
00:57 sound in just over thirty seconds.
01:00 If not protected, the Earth’s atmosphere will rip GOES-S to pieces.
01:05 But for a satellite – designed to only live in the vacuum of space - life on Earth can
01:11 be just as dangerous.
01:13 Any exposure to dust or moisture could contaminate the satellite and destroy the mission.
01:20 That’s why this fairing is more than just a suit of armor.
01:24 It’s also a portable clean room.
01:28 With encapsulation complete, it’s time to call in the KAMAG.
01:33 This 72-wheel transport vehicle has what it takes to get this massive payload to the pad.
01:40 "Spacecraft hoist and mate to the launch vehicle today is a huge milestone for the whole operation.
01:46 And this is the biggest integrated operation that we've had so far.
01:49 It goes all day and all night from transport and then hoist and mate, and it will go into
01:55 the evening tonight as they finish close-outs."
01:57 After working through the night, LSP and ULA are almost there.
02:03 Just 150 feet to go…Straight up.
02:06 "Obstacles, we do have obstacles on the decks, on the KAMAG, so watch your step, walking
02:14 area, trip hazards, and then remember about your hard hats, chin straps.
02:19 Any questions?
02:21 Alright, let's go do this."
02:23 "There's a lot of moving parts involved with processing a spacecraft, processing a rocket,
02:29 and bringing them together for a launch.
02:31 There are a lot of people involved and there are a lot of moving parts.
02:34 There are a lot of hard time lines that we have to meet, and deadlines that we have to
02:38 meet, and everybody works as hard as they can to meet those deadlines, sometimes you
02:42 have to work around the clock to meet those."
02:43 We’ve reached a critical point on the road to T-Zero.
02:48 GOES-S is now mated to the Atlas V.
02:50 "We're working for several years integrating this thing, and we've completed that now.
02:54 We've got the satellite on top and we're ready to go."
02:58 With all major milestones complete, this rocket is ready to roll.