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First-Ever Atlas 3 Lifts Off
By Todd Halvorson
Cape Canaveral Bureau Chief
posted: 07:12 pm ET
24 May 2000
ET
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By Todd Halvorson CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A sporty new American rocket powered by a Russian engine raced away from Cape Canaveral Wednesday, opening up a new era for the global space launch industry and emerging markets for satellite TV and internet services. Standing some 17 stories tall, the Lockheed Martin Atlas 3 which is the first U.S. launcher to be powered by a rocket engine made in the former Soviet Union -- peeled out of complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 7:10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (23:10 GMT). The launch was delayed about 90 minutes due to technical problems and to give a stray boat and an aircraft time to clear a launch danger zone off of Cape Canaveral. Hell-bent for space atop the rocket: a 3.5-ton TV broadcast and internet satellite destined to beam television shows to millions of Russian households while providing World Wide Web access to untapped markets in sub-Saharan Africa. [quote] The car-sized satellite which is owned by the Paris-based consortium EUTELSAT -- was dropped off in an orbit 22,300 miles (35,885 kilometers) above the east coast of central Africa about 30 minutes after launch. Said EUTELSAT Director-General Giuliano Berretta: "Wed like to call it a new digital star in the sky." 
| Rocket-cam view from the first Atlas 3-A rocket minutes after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. |
Unlikely marriage The more unique story, however, was the rocket itself. Coupling former Cold War foes, the historic inaugural flight of the Atlas 3 showcased a modern version of the first U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and a high-performance engine whose predecessors once provided the propulsive punch for Soviet missiles aimed at cities in the U.S. and Western Europe. The once-unlikely marriage made for a midweek special as the Atlas 3 leapt off its launch pad at double the speed of Lockheed Martins lumbering Atlas 2, darting out over the Atlantic Ocean on a high-speed drag race toward space. The super-fast sprint can be credited to the Russian RD 180 rocket engine that powers the new rockets first stage. Made by NPO Energomash of Khimky, Russia, the powerful engine is capable of generating more thrust at sea level than two U.S. space-shuttle engines firing simultaneously. "Id like to call it the best rocket engine on the face of the planet," said Lockheed Martin program manager John Karas, who had predicted a rapid departure for the Atlas 3 prior to flight. "It really does scream out of here," he said. "I kind of liken it to the old Star Trek, where they say `Engage, and you see this little streak go across space." 
| The first stage of the inaugural Atlas 3A rocket separates from the Centaur upper stage as a shower of ice blows clear of the rocket after a flawless launch. |
Rocket-cams beamed tripScrubbed four times last week, the express satellite-delivery mission turned out to be a video spectacular. Equipped with a pair of on-board cameras, the Atlas 3 beamed back a live broadcast as the rocket sped away from Floridas Space Coast. The first stage of the booster could be seen tumbling toward the Atlantic and the so-called "rocket-cams" provided stunning views for much of the trip into orbit. "A beautiful flight absolutely fantastic mission," said Lockheed Martin launch commentator Don Spencer. "We have some absolutely stunning images coming back from the cameras on board the launch vehicle that showed just an absolutely flawless flight." Added company spokeswoman Julie Andrews: "There are extreme highs in this business, and this is one of them." 
| The nose cone of the Atlas 3A rocket falls away from the Centaur upper stage as the first stage falls toward the Florida peninsula seen in the background a few minutes after launch. |
Rocket competition The maiden voyage of the Atlas 3, meanwhile, was considered crucial to a Lockheed Martin bid to buttress its position in the lucrative but highly competitive global launch industry, a business that now generates around $7 billion in revenues per year. The new rocket is designed to compete with two of the worlds most advanced rockets the European Ariane 5 and the Boeing Delta 3 both of which suffered explosive failures on their first flights. The Delta 3 also failed on its only other flight, rocketing a commercial communications satellite into the wrong orbit. In what amounted to a high-cost attempt to avoid the same fate, Lockheed Martin and its Russian engine contractor pumped a combined $400 million into a transoceanic Atlas 3 development project. Their long-term goal: to prove out technologies that now anchor plans for Lockheed Martins next-generation rocket the Atlas 5 which will make its debut launch in 2002. "Obviously, this is very important for us," said Len Dest, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin International Launch Services, which markets the Atlas family of rockets. "Its important because the Atlas 3 is another great step forward in providing the best launch solutions for our commercial and government customers." Digital TV and internet to western Russia The launch also was key for EUTELSAT, which is the No. 3 satellite operator in the world. The consortium, which already operates a fleet of 15 satellites and plans to go public with a stock offering next year, is striving to drive up revenues by opening up the direct-to-home television market in Russia, as well as internet services in Africa. Its EUTELSAT W-4 spacecraft is designed to do just that. A fixed antenna on the spacecraft will deliver digital television and internet services to the European part of the Russian Federation. The potential market: 40 million Russian households already equipped with TVs. A spot beam from a second antenna is to be aimed at an even larger market for internet services in Africa. "The spot beam covers, in particular, Ghana and Nigeria, where there will be a great market for internet services," Berretta said, adding: "Ill remind you that Nigeria is a country with 100 million people." The satellite is scheduled to enter service in June.
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