T-0:00:02.7 |
Engine Start |
The Russian-designed RD-180 main engine is ignited and undergoes checkout prior to launch. |
|
T+0:00:01.1 |
Liftoff |
The Atlas 5 vehicle, designated AV-043, lifts off and begins a vertical rise away from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. |
|
T+0:01:31 |
MaxQ |
The rocket passes through the area of maximum aerodynamic pressure as it accelerates through the lower atmosphere. |
|
T+0:04:02 |
Main Engine Cutoff |
The RD-180 main engine completes its firing after consuming its kerosene and liquid oxygen fuel supply in the Atlas first stage. |
|
T+0:04:08 |
Stage Separation |
The Common Core Booster first stage of the Atlas 5 rocket separates from the Centaur upper stage. Over the next few seconds, the Centaur engine liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen systems are readied for ignition. |
|
T+0:04:18 |
Centaur Ignition 1 |
The Centaur RL10 engine ignites for the longer of the two upper stage firings. This burn will inject the Centaur stage and TDRS spacecraft into a parking orbit. |
|
T+0:04:26 |
Nose Cone Jettison |
The payload fairing that protected the TDRS L spacecraft during the climb through the atmosphere is no longer needed and is separated. |
|
T+0:18:13 |
Centaur Cutoff 1 |
The Centaur engine shuts down after arriving in a planned parking orbit. The vehicle enters a lengthy coast period lasting nearly 80 minutes before arriving at the required location in space for the second burn. |
|
T+1:40:07 |
Centaur Ignition 2 |
The Centaur re-ignites to propel the payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit from the parking achieved earlier in the launch sequence. |
|
T+1:41:10 |
Centaur Cutoff 2 |
At the conclusion of its second firing, the Centaur will have delivered the TDRS L spacecraft into the targeted orbit with an apogee of 22,238 statute miles, perigee of 3,007 statute miles and inclination of 25.5 degrees. |
T+1:45:56 |
Spacecraft Separation |
NASA's second spacecraft in its third-generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System is released into orbit from the Centaur upper stage to complete the AV-043 launch. |