GPS 2R-8 launch timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Updated: January 28, 2003

T-00:00 Liftoff
The Delta 2 rocket's main engine and twin vernier steering thrusters are started moments before launch. The six ground-start strap-on solid rocket motors are ignited at T-0 to begin the mission.
T+01:03 Ground SRM Burnout
The six ground-start Alliant TechSystems-built solid rocket motors consume all their propellant and burn out.
T+01:06 Air-Lit SRM Ignition
The three remaining solid rocket motors strapped to the Delta 2 rocket's first stage are ignited.
T+01:07 Jettison Ground SRMs
The six spent ground-started solid rocket boosters are jettisoned in sets of three to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.
T+02:12 Jettison Air-Lit SRMs
Having burned out, the three spent air-started solid rocket boosters are jettisoned toward the Atlantic Ocean.
T+04:24 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.
T+04:32 Stage Separation
The Delta rocket's first stage is separated now, having completed its job. The spent stage will fall into the Atlantic Ocean.
T+04:38 Second Stage Ignition
With the stage jettisoned, the rocket's second stage takes over. The Aerojet AJ118-K liquid-fueled engine ignites for the first of two firings needed to place the upper stage and GPS 2R-8 satellite into the proper orbit.
T+04:59 Jettison Payload Fairing
The 9.5-foot diameter composite payload fairing that protected the GPS 2R-8 satellite atop the Delta 2 during the atmospheric ascent is jettisoned is two halves.
T+10:53 Second Stage Cutoff 1
The second stage engine shuts down to complete its first firing of the launch. The rocket and attached GPS 2R-8 spacecraft are now in a long coast period before the second stage reignites. The orbit achieved should be 108 miles at apogee, 94 miles at perigee and inclined 36.9 deg.
T+62:39 Second Stage Restart
Delta's second stage engine reignites for a short firing to raise the orbit further.
T+63:15 Second Stage Cutoff 2
The second stage shuts down after a 36-second burst. The orbit achieved should be 625 miles at apogee, 101 miles at perigee and inclined 37.2 degrees. Over the next minute, tiny thrusters on the side of the rocket will be fired to spin up the vehicle in preparation for stage separation.
T+64:08 Stage Separation
The liquid-fueled second stage is jettisoned from the rest of the Delta 2 rocket. The stage will perform more maneuvers later to refine its orbit for the XSS-10 secondary payload mission.
T+64:45 Third Stage Ignition
The Thiokol Star 48B solid-fueled third stage is then ignited to complete GPS 2R-8 satellite's delivery into its intended orbit around Earth.
T+66:11 Third Stage Burnout
Having used up all its solid-propellant, the third stage burns out to completed the powered phase of the launch sequence for GPS 2R-8.
T+68:05 GPS 2R-8 Separation
The U.S. Air Force's NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R-8 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 miles inclined 39.0 deg. The satellite will circularize its orbit.

Data source: Boeing.

Flight Data File
Vehicle: Delta 2 (7925-9.5)
Payload: GPS 2R-8
Launch date: Jan. 29, 2003
Launch window: 1:06-1:20 p.m. EST (1806-1820 GMT)
Launch site: SLC-17B, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Satellite broadcast: AMC 2, Transponder 4, C-band

Pre-launch briefing
Global Positioning System - Description of the U.S. Air Force's space-based navigation network.

GPS constellation - Chart shows the current status of the orbiting GPS satellite fleet.

XSS-10 - The experimental microsatellite flying as a secondary payload on this launch.

Delta 2 rocket - Overview of the Delta 2 7925-model rocket used to launch GPS satellites.

SLC-17 - The launch complex where Delta rockets fly from Cape Canaveral.

Delta directory - See our coverage of preview Delta rocket flights.



Earth Calendar
NEW! This amazing 2003 calendar features stunning images of mountain ranges, volcanoes, rivers, and oceans obtained from previous NASA space shuttle missions.
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