Alabama's ULA to honor healthcare workers, first responders on next Space Force mission

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is making final preparations for its next launch on behalf of the U.S. Space Force, a mission with which the organizations plan to honor front-line workers in the fight against COVID-19.

Built at ULA’s 1.6 million square foot plant in Decatur, an Atlas V 501 rocket is set to launch the USSF-7 mission for Space Force from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Saturday. The launch will mark the sixth flight of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-6) and ULA’s second mission for the U.S. Space Force.

“Despite unprecedented circumstances, we continue to launch critical missions,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs in a statement from the company. “We are honored to partner with the U.S. Space Force and Air Force to recognize healthcare workers, first responders and other essential personnel affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett and Gen. Jay Raymond, Chief of Space Operations for U.S. Space Force, both extended their support for America’s healthcare workers and first responders, as well as the mission’s #AmericaStrong theme.

Our American spirit drives us to collaborate & innovate together to overcome adversity of #COVID19. The @SpaceForceDoD honors those keeping #AmericaStrong by dedicating the @ulalaunch & #X37B mission to our nation’s healthcare workers, first responders & essential personnel. https://t.co/XIkiY97s7j

— Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett (@SecAFOfficial) May 14, 2020

Tory Bruno, president and CEO of ULA, cited the courage of America’s front-line workers. He wrote, “Honored to help recognize their invaluable contributions to our safety.”

Humbled by their courage. Honored to help recognize their invaluable contributions to our safety. https://t.co/vtzYhtjCXA

— Tory Bruno (@torybruno) May 14, 2020

The mission, ULA’s 139th, will have a full payload.

Riding along with OTV-6 will be FalconSat-8, a small satellite developed by the U.S. Air Force Academy. The mission also carries NASA experiments, including one to determine the results of radiation and other space effects on various materials and another to assess space effects on seeds used to grow food.

ULA provided some amazing shots of the rocket as it made final preparations as part of roll-out day.

The #AtlasV rocket and #USSF7 emerge from the assembly building as they make their way to the pad for Saturday’s launch: https://t.co/5ZftXkTkHn

? by ULA pic.twitter.com/sXxovwdFFK

— ULA (@ulalaunch) May 14, 2020

Tim Howe is an owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia