T-00:00.0 |
Liftoff |
The Delta 2 rocket's main engine and twin vernier steering thrusters are started moments before launch. The three ground-start strap-on solid rocket motors are ignited at T-0 to begin the mission. |
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T+01:04.0 |
Solid Motor Burnout |
The three TechSystems-built solid rocket motors strapped to the base of the Delta 2 rocket consume all their propellant and burn out. The boosters remain attached to the rocket until safety parameters are met for separation. |
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T+01:39.0 |
Jettison Solid Motors |
The three spent solid rocket motor casings are jettisoned once the rocket passes clear of oil rigs off the coast of Vandenberg to ensure the boosters fall into open waters of the Pacific Ocean. |
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T+04:24.2 |
Main Engine Cutoff |
After consuming its RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen, the Rocketdyne RS-27A first stage main engine is shut down. The vernier engines cut off moments later. |
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T+04:29 |
Staging |
The Delta rocket's first stage is separated, having completed its job, and falls into the Pacific. |
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T+04:37.7 |
Second Stage Ignition |
The second stage Aerojet AJ118-K liquid-fueled engine ignites for the first of several burns during this launch. |
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T+04:57.0 |
Separate Payload Fairing |
The 10-foot diameter composite payload fairing that protected the EO-1, SAC-C and Munin satellites atop the Delta 2 during the atmospheric ascent is jettisoned is two halves. |
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T+11:16.6 |
Second Stage Cutoff 1 |
The second stage engine shuts down to complete its first firing of the launch. The planned orbit to be achieved is 100 x 385 nautical miles. The rocket and attached payloads are now in a 44-minute coast period before the second stage reignites. |
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T+0:55:35.0 |
Second Stage Restart |
Delta's second stage engine reignites as the vehicle nears the high point of its initial orbit. |
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T+0:55:45.9 |
Second Stage Cutoff 2 |
The second stage shuts down after an 11-second burst, and should have achieved the desired 380.7 nautical mile circular orbit at 98.2 degrees for the EO-1 satellite. Over the next minute, tiny thrusters on the side of the rocket will be fired to orient the vehicle in preparation for satellite separation. |
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T+1:00:00.0 |
EO-1 Separation |
NASA's Earth Observing-1 technology demonstration satellite is released from the Dual Payload Attach Fitting structure of the Delta 2 rocket's second stage. |
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T+1:13:20.0 |
Separate DPAF |
The upper cone and cylinder of the Dual Payload Attach Fitting structure, which is making its first flight on this launch, is jettisoned from the rocket. EO-1 was mounted atop DPAF and SAC-C is enclosed within the structure's cylinder. |
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T+1:24:51.6 |
Second Stage Restart |
Delta's second stage engine restarts yet again to change the orbital altitude and inclination for the SAC-C satellite. |
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T+1:25:09.0 |
Second Stage Cutoff 3 |
The second stage shuts down after a 17-second burst, and should have achieved the desired 369.9 by 380.8 nautical mile orbit inclined 98.28 degrees for the SAC-C satellite. Over the next minute, tiny thrusters on the side of the rocket will be fired to orient the vehicle in preparation for satellite separation. |
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T+1:30:45.0 |
SAC-C Separation |
The joint Argentine Satelite de Aplicanciones Cientificas-C (SAC-C) spacecraft is released into orbit from the Delta 2 rocket. |
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T+1:48:20.0 |
Second Stage Restart |
The final burn of the second stage engine begins to deplete the remaining onboard propellant in an effort to safe the vehicle and protect against space debris. |
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T+1:48:31.8 |
Second Stage Cutoff 4 |
The second stage shuts down after an expected 12-second burst, and should have achieved a 376.2 by 877.4 nautical mile orbit inclined 96.4 degrees for the Munin satellite. |
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T+1:50:00.0 |
Munin Separation |
The Swedish Munin nanosatellite is ejected from the Delta 2 rocket's second stage to complete this launch. Munin is U.S. Air Force's NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R-6 spacecraft is released into space. The Delta should have placed the satellite into a transfer orbit with a high point of 10,998 nautical miles and low point of 101 nautical mile. The satellite will circularize its orbit. |