United Launch AllianceDelta IV M+(5,4)Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
WGS-8 (USA-272)
Launched
December 7, 2016
Image: United Launch Alliance
Summary
WGS-8 (USA-272) launched on an United Launch Alliance Delta IV M+(5,4) from Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on December 7, 2016. It was United Launch Alliance's 115th launch, 11th this year and humanity's 5,607th orbital launch attempt. It was the 6th Delta IV M+(5,4) flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). WGS SV-8, one of 2 catalogued objects, reached a 465 × 44,311 km orbit inclined 26.9°. 2 objects from this launch are catalogued, one of them a payload.
- Watch
- Delta IV WGS-8 Live Launch CoverageUnited Launch Alliance
- Delta IV WGS-8 Launch HighlightsUnited Launch Alliance
- Vehicle
- Delta IV M+(5,4) · United Launch Alliance
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Communications · Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO)
- Milestone
- 6th Delta IV M+(5,4) flight · 1st this yearUnited Launch Alliance's 115th launch11th this yearhumanity's 5,607th orbital launch attempt78th orbital launch attempt this year
Webcast
Flight preview
Orbit: as tracked
WGS SV-8 · NORAD 41879 · 2016-075 · Space-Track · tracking 1 of 2 objects
Show the numbers for orbit elements
- Object
- WGS 8 (USA 272)
- Object ID
- 2016-075A
- Epoch
- 2016-12-08 18:02:36 UTC
- Mean motion
- 1.78008658 rev/day
- Eccentricity
- 0.7622912
- Inclination
- 26.9136°
- Ascending node
- 262.5079°
- Arg. of perigee
- 178.2887°
- Mean anomaly
- 112.9049°
- Element set
- 999
- Rev at epoch
- 0
- B*
- 0
Perigee, apogee and period are Kepler figures from the catalogued mean elements, not a propagated state. Published orbit: GTO.
Catalogued objects
2 catalogued: 1 payload, 1 rocket stage; 1 still in orbit
- WGS SV-8 · NORAD 41879 · in orbit
Delta 376 · deorbited December 8, 2016
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
WGS-8 is the eighth of 10 high-capacity military communications satellites providing vital service for tactical forces who rely on WGS for connectivity to the Defence Information Systems Network (DISN).
Pad
Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
33rd launch from Space Launch Complex 37B, 1st this year · 753rd from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
40 launches from this pad · 1,131 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
502 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did WGS-8 (USA-272) launch?
WGS-8 (USA-272) launched on December 7, 2016. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch WGS-8 (USA-272)?
Coverage: Delta IV WGS-8 Live Launch Coverage; Delta IV WGS-8 Launch Highlights. Watch the replay
What rocket launched WGS-8 (USA-272)?
Delta IV M+(5,4), flown by United Launch Alliance. Delta IV M+(5,4) spec sheet
Where did WGS-8 (USA-272) launch from?
Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit did WGS-8 (USA-272) reach?
WGS SV-8, one of 2 catalogued objects, reached a 465 × 44,311 km orbit inclined 26.9°.
How many satellites did WGS-8 (USA-272) launch?
1 payload from this launch is catalogued, still in orbit (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).