The maiden flight of the first US Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle programme Lockheed Martin Atlas V booster has moved a step closer with a second full launch day "wet" countdown demonstration test at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Atlas V will make its maiden commercial flight, operated by International Launch Services, in July. The booster, with its first stage loaded with kerosene fuel, was rolled out vertically from the Lockheed Martin-built Vertical Integration Facility, then fully loaded with liquid oxygen oxidiser for the first and second stages and liquid hydrogen fuel for the Centaur second stage. It made two fully recycled countdowns to T-45s with a simulated abort and to T-1s with a simulated ignition. The Atlas V will launch Eutelsat's Hot Bird 6 communications satellite.
Source: Flight International