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Prior to its retirement in 1999, Athena II launches were made from [[Spaceport Florida Launch Complex 46|Launch Complex 46]] at [[Spaceport Florida]] and [[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 6|Space Launch Complex 6]] at [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]]. LC-46 will also be used for Athena IIc launches, with [[Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0|Launch Pad 0B]] of the [[Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport]]and [[Kodiak Launch Complex Pad 1|Pad 1]] of the [[Kodiak Launch Complex]] also offered. If a launch from Vandenberg is ordered, [[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 8|Space Launch Complex 8]] will be used instead of SLC-6, which was rebuilt as a [[Delta IV]] launch complex following the Athena's initial retirement.<ref name="LR">{{cite web|url=http://lompocrecord.com/news/local/military/article_aa462caa-3897-11df-b796-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Firms team to revive Athena rocket|last=Scully|first=Janene|date=26 March 2010|publisher=Lompoc Record|accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref>
Prior to its retirement in 1999, Athena II launches were made from [[Spaceport Florida Launch Complex 46|Launch Complex 46]] at [[Spaceport Florida]] and [[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 6|Space Launch Complex 6]] at [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]]. LC-46 will also be used for Athena IIc launches, with [[Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0|Launch Pad 0B]] of the [[Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport]]and [[Kodiak Launch Complex Pad 1|Pad 1]] of the [[Kodiak Launch Complex]] also offered. If a launch from Vandenberg is ordered, [[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 8|Space Launch Complex 8]] will be used instead of SLC-6, which was rebuilt as a [[Delta IV]] launch complex following the Athena's initial retirement.<ref name="LR">{{cite web|url=http://lompocrecord.com/news/local/military/article_aa462caa-3897-11df-b796-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Firms team to revive Athena rocket|last=Scully|first=Janene|date=26 March 2010|publisher=Lompoc Record|accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref>


During the 1990s, three Athena II launches were conducted, with one failure. Its maiden flight was conducted from LC-46 at Spaceport Florida, and lifted off at 02:28 GMT on 7 January 1997. The launch, which was the first to take place from Spaceport Florida, successfully placed the [[Lunar Prospector]] spacecraft into orbit for [[NASA]]. The next Athena II launch took place from SLC-6 at Vandenberg on 27 April 1999, with the [[Ikonos (satellite)|Ikonos]] satellite for [[Space Imaging]]. The launch ended in failure after the [[payload fairing]] failed to separate, and as a result the rocket had too much mass to achieve orbital velocity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/1999/04/19403|title=Lockheed: Ikonos Fell into Sea|date=29 April 1999|publisher=Wired|accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref> The third launch also took place from SLC-6 at Vandenberg, on 24 September 1999. The payload, [[Ikonos 1]], was also for Space Imaging, and successfully reached orbit.<ref name="EA"/><ref name="JSR-LL">{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|last=McDowell|first=Jonathan|publisher=Jonathan's Space Page|accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref>
During the 1990s, three Athena II launches were conducted, with one failure. Its maiden flight was conducted from LC-46 at Spaceport Florida, and lifted off at 02:28 GMT on 7 January 1997. The launch, which was the first to take place from Spaceport Florida, successfully placed the [[Lunar Prospector]] spacecraft into orbit for [[NASA]]. The next Athena II launch took place from SLC-6 at Vandenberg on 27 April 1999, with the [[Ikonos|Ikonos]] satellite for [[Space Imaging]]. The launch ended in failure after the [[payload fairing]] failed to separate, and as a result the rocket had too much mass to achieve orbital velocity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/1999/04/19403|title=Lockheed: Ikonos Fell into Sea|date=29 April 1999|publisher=Wired|accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref> The third launch also took place from SLC-6 at Vandenberg, on 24 September 1999. The payload, [[Ikonos 1]], was also for Space Imaging, and successfully reached orbit.<ref name="EA"/><ref name="JSR-LL">{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|last=McDowell|first=Jonathan|publisher=Jonathan's Space Page|accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 22:42, 28 October 2010

For the trawler, see FV Athena II.
Athena II
Athena II at LC-46 with Lunar Prospector
FunctionSmall expendable launch system
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Alliant Techsystems
Country of origin United States
Size
Height28.2 metres (93 ft)
Diameter2.36 metres (7 ft 9 in)
Mass120,700 kilograms (266,100 lb)
StagesFour
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass2,065 kilograms (4,553 lb)
Payload to SSO
Mass1,165 kilograms (2,568 lb)
Payload to GTO
Mass593 kilograms (1,307 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyAthena
Based on
ComparableFalcon 1
Minotaur IV
Taurus
Launch history
StatusTemporarily inactive
Launch sitesKodiak LP-1
MARS LP-0B
Spaceport Florida LC-46
Vandenberg SLC-6 & SLC-8
Total launches3
Success(es)2
Failure(s)1
First flightAthena II: 7 January 1998
Athena IIc: NET 2012
Last flightAthena II: 24 September 1999
First stage – Castor 120
Powered by1 solid
Maximum thrust1,900 kilonewtons (430,000 lbf)
Specific impulse280 sec
Burn time83 seconds
PropellantHTPB
Second stage – Castor 120
Powered by1 solid
Maximum thrust1,900 kilonewtons (430,000 lbf)
Specific impulse280 sec
Burn time83 seconds
PropellantHTPB
Third stage (Athena II) – Orbus 21D
Powered by1 solid
Maximum thrust189.2 kilonewtons (42,500 lbf)
Specific impulse293 sec
Burn time150 seconds
PropellantHTPB
Third stage (Athena IIc) – Castor 30
Powered by1 solid
Maximum thrust258.9 kilonewtons (58,200 lbf)[1]
Specific impulse294 sec[2]
Burn time143 seconds[2]
PropellantHTPB
Fourth stage – OAM
Powered by4 MR-107
Maximum thrust882 newtons (198 lbf)
Specific impulse222 sec
Burn time1,500 seconds
PropellantHydrazine
[edit on Wikidata]

The Athena II is an American small expendable launch system which was used for three launches between 1998 and 1999,[3] and which is scheduled to return to service in 2012. It is a member of the Athena family of rockets, along with the smaller Athena I. Launches from 2012 will use the Athena IIc configuration, which features a different third stage.[4]

The Athena II is a four stage rocket, consisting of solid first, second and third stages, and a monopropellant liquid-fuelled fourth stage. The first and second stages are Castor 120s, which are also used on some versions of the Taurus rocket. An Orbus 21D motor was used as the third stage on launches during the 1990s, however when it returns to service in 2012 the Castor 30, which is under development for the Taurus II,[1] will be used instead.[4] The fourth stage is an Orbital Adjustment Module, fuelled by hydrazine and propelled by four MR-107 engines, which is used for final insertion.[5][6]

Prior to its retirement in 1999, Athena II launches were made from Launch Complex 46 at Spaceport Florida and Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. LC-46 will also be used for Athena IIc launches, with Launch Pad 0B of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceportand Pad 1 of the Kodiak Launch Complex also offered. If a launch from Vandenberg is ordered, Space Launch Complex 8 will be used instead of SLC-6, which was rebuilt as a Delta IV launch complex following the Athena's initial retirement.[7]

During the 1990s, three Athena II launches were conducted, with one failure. Its maiden flight was conducted from LC-46 at Spaceport Florida, and lifted off at 02:28 GMT on 7 January 1997. The launch, which was the first to take place from Spaceport Florida, successfully placed the Lunar Prospector spacecraft into orbit for NASA. The next Athena II launch took place from SLC-6 at Vandenberg on 27 April 1999, with the Ikonos satellite for Space Imaging. The launch ended in failure after the payload fairing failed to separate, and as a result the rocket had too much mass to achieve orbital velocity.[8] The third launch also took place from SLC-6 at Vandenberg, on 24 September 1999. The payload, Ikonos 1, was also for Space Imaging, and successfully reached orbit.[3][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Taurus II" (PDF). Orbital Sciences Corporation. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  2. ^ a b Kyle, Ed (26 March 2010). "Taurus II". Space Launch Report. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  3. ^ a b Wade, Mark. "Athena". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Lockheed Martin and ATK Announce 2nd Generation Athena Launch Vehicles". Lockheed Martin. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  5. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Athena (LLV / LMLV)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  6. ^ Wade, Mark. "OAM". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  7. ^ Scully, Janene (26 March 2010). "Firms team to revive Athena rocket". Lompoc Record. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  8. ^ "Lockheed: Ikonos Fell into Sea". Wired. 29 April 1999. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  9. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
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