Atlas V 401 configuration (AV-098) was successfully launched on Nov 10, 2022
Launch Site: SLC-3 ULA’s West Coast launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Vehicle 400 Series, 4 m Extended Payload Fairing (EPF), no SRB’s,
Payload: JPSS-2 / LOFTID payload
The JPSS-2 (Joint Polar Satellite System-2) is a weather satellite for NOAA that will go on a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit.
The LOFTID is an inflatable aeroshell that will separate from the Centaur stage and will re-enter the atmosphere to demonstrate the ability to slow down or to survive re-entry. This will have many applications including engine re-use on ULA’s Vulcan rocket.
1:96 scale paper model kit includes a separate Centaur stage with the LOFTID payload
This was the last flight of the 401 configuration and last Atlas V launch from Vandenberg. Final flight of an Atlas V with a 4-meter fairing. 100th use of Single Engine Centaur.
