Atlas V launches STP-1 Orbital Express

3/8/07 ~ 10:10 p.m.

The ninth Atlas V launches six satellites into orbit on the United States Air Force's Space Test Program-1 mission. The two main, and largest, satellites are known as ASTRO and NextSat. They will, together, conduct the Orbital Express autonomous satellite refueling demonstration. If successful, it will be the first of its kind and pave the way for future satellite technology. Four other small satellites hitched a ride into space to conduct various tests. It was the first nighttime Atlas V launch, flying in the 401 configuration with no solid rocket boosters attached and just the powerful RD-180 engine performing flawlessly on 860,000 pounds of thrust.