ULA’s Atlas 5 wins contract to launch NASA data relay satellite

The last of NASA’s current-generation tracking and data relay satellites designed to link mission control with the International Space Station has been assigned for launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket in October 2017, officials announced Friday. An Atlas 5 rocket will haul the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, named TDRS M, into an elliptical geostationary transfer orbit after liftoff from Cape Canaveral. TDRS M is the last of three identical satellites built by Boeing Co., following launches of TDRS K and TDRS L in 2013 and 2014. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Oct 31)