Spaceflight Now: Atlas launch report

The meaning of 'Great Bear'
STATEMENT FROM ILS
Posted: December 4, 2000

Great Bear
The "Great Bear" decal on the Atlas rocket's nose cone. Photo: NRO
 
The Great Bear logo represents the National Reconnaissance Office MLV-11 mission launch dedicated to Daniel M. Potter, deceased. The logo appears on the payload fairing of the Atlas 2AS rocket.

Dan Potter was an employee of the Central Intelligence Agency assigned to the NRO as an engineer. He was an advocate and supporter of the NRO Cub Run Partners in Education Program. Dan tutored at Cub Run Elementary on a regular basis. He motivated and inspired students to excel in math and science.

In memory of Dan and his dedication to the students, the NRO Cub Run Partnership held a design contest for a launch logo. The Ursa Major constellation, the Great Bear, was selected as the theme for the design because it complemented Cub Run's mascot, the bear cub, and symbolized Dan's love and support for the students and the Partners in Education Program.

Samantha Wingo's GREAT BEAR design was selected from over 700 entries. Her winning design is depicted on the fairing of the MLV-11 launch. Samantha is a 13-year-old student at Stone Middle School in Centreville, VA, and very excited to be the first to have her logo bigger than life, painted on a rocket about to be launched into space.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Atlas 2AS (AC-157)
Payload: Classified NRO
Launch date: Dec. 5, 2000
Launch window: 8:14-10:12 p.m. EST (0114-0312 GMT on 6th)
Launch site: SLC-36A, Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Pre-launch briefing
Launch timeline - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch.

Atlas 2AS vehicle data - Overview of the rocket that will launch the classified NRO payload.

Ground track - See the trajectory the rocket will follow during its flight.

Atlas index - A directory of our previous Atlas launch coverage.


MISSION STATUS CENTER