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US Space Force launches satellite after glitch US Space Force launches satellite after short delay
(about 16 hours later)
The US military's newest branch has launched its first satellite, despite a technical glitch that forced a delay. The US military's newest branch has launched its first satellite, despite a short delay in the countdown.
A rocket carrying a US Space Force communications satellite lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Thursday.A rocket carrying a US Space Force communications satellite lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Thursday.
A hydraulic fault stopped the countdown for 80 minutes before the problem was fixed. An inaccurate reading on hydraulic equipment stopped the clock for 80 minutes before the issue was resolved.
US President Donald Trump established the Space Force, which is focused on warfare in space, in December 2019.US President Donald Trump established the Space Force, which is focused on warfare in space, in December 2019.
Lieutenant General John F Thompson, Commander of the Space and Missiles Systems Centre in California, explained why the launch was proceeding despite the Covid-19 pandemic.Lieutenant General John F Thompson, Commander of the Space and Missiles Systems Centre in California, explained why the launch was proceeding despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It is a really, really important launch," he said. "It's the very first launch for the US Space Force."It is a really, really important launch," he said. "It's the very first launch for the US Space Force.
"There are critical things, or mission essential things, that the US Department of Defence does every day. Even in the face of a global pandemic we must continue to perform mission essential tasks."There are critical things, or mission essential things, that the US Department of Defence does every day. Even in the face of a global pandemic we must continue to perform mission essential tasks.
"[The satellite] supports the president and other world leaders with critical communications around the planet. This launch extends that communication into a timeframe beyond 2030.""[The satellite] supports the president and other world leaders with critical communications around the planet. This launch extends that communication into a timeframe beyond 2030."
The countdown was held at T-Minus 46 seconds after an issue was discovered with a hydraulic accumulator - a device which collects fluid and keeps it under pressure for energy storage.The countdown was held at T-Minus 46 seconds after an issue was discovered with a hydraulic accumulator - a device which collects fluid and keeps it under pressure for energy storage.
This is the first launch under the US Space Force. United Launch Alliance which operated the Atlas 5 rocket was able to sort matters before the end of Thursday's launch window.
It was announced as a sixth and separate branch of the US armed forces in 2018, described as Mr Trump as "separate but equal" to the Air Force. The other US military branches are the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. The payload, the $1.4bn Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-6) communications satellite, will provide secure voice and data connections for the US government and its international partners, including the UK.
This was the first mission under the US Space Force.
It was announced as a sixth and separate branch of the US armed forces in 2018, described Mr Trump as "separate but equal" to the Air Force. The other US military branches are the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
The Space Force was then officially confirmed in December 2019 when the president signed the $738bn (£567bn) annual US military budget, with an initial $40m for the Space Force's first year.The Space Force was then officially confirmed in December 2019 when the president signed the $738bn (£567bn) annual US military budget, with an initial $40m for the Space Force's first year.