Launch events timeline
BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: July 28, 2003


Image and data source: Boeing.

T-00:05.5 Engine start
The Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine begins to ignite as the liquid hydrogen fuel valve is opened, creating a large fireball at the base of the rocket. The engine powers up to full thrust for a computer-controlled checkout before liftoff.
T-00:00.0 Liftoff
The hold-down bolts are released and the third flight of Delta 4 is underway from Cape Canaveral's pad 37B. The three umbilical swing arms extending from the launch pad tower retract from the rocket at T-0 seconds.
T+01:30.6 Max-Q
The vehicle experiences the region of maximum dynamic pressure. The RS-68 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine continues to fire as the vehicle heads downrange, arcing over the Atlantic.
T+03:36.8 Begin engine throttling
With engine shutdown coming up and the axial acceleration of 4.5 g's is reached, the RS-68 powerplant starts throttling down from 102 percent. It will achieve a 57 percent throttle at T+3 minutes, 41.8 seconds.
T+04:19.9 Main engine cutoff
The first large all-American rocket engine developed in a quarter-century completes its third launch as the RS-68 shuts down.
T+04:30.9 Stage separation
The Common Booster Core first stage and the attached interstage are separated in one piece from the Delta 4's upper stage. The upper stage engine's extendible nozzle drops into position as the first stage separates.
T+04:44.4 Second stage ignition
The upper stage begins its job to place the DSCS B6 spacecraft into space with the first of two firings. The stage and its Pratt & Whitney RL10B-2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine is basically identical to the Delta 3 upper stage flown previously.
T+04:54.5 Jettison payload fairing
The four-meter diameter composite payload fairing that protected the DSCS cargo atop the Delta 4 during the atmospheric ascent is no longer needed, allowing it to be jettisoned in two halves.
T+14:13.4 Upper stage shutdown
The RL10 upper stage engine shuts down to complete its first firing of the launch. The rocket and attached satellite reach a parking orbit of 100.0 by 216.7 nautical miles with an inclination of 29.20 degrees.
T+26:03.0 Restart upper stage
After a 12-minute coast period, the upper stage is reignited to finish the task of boosting DSCS into the intended orbit.
T+30:11.2 Upper stage shutdown
The powered phase of the Delta 4's mission to loft DSCS concludes. The targeted geosynchronous transfer orbit is 125.8 by 19,323.5 nautical miles with an inclination of 25.50 degrees.
T+30:41.2 Maneuver to deploy attitude
The upper stage uses its thrusters to maneuver into the proper orientation for release of DSCS. This attitude maneuver will last until T+32 minutes, 1.2 seconds.
T+37:51.2 Begin spin-up
The next step in preparing for deployment of the payload is spinning up the stage like a top to 4.6 rpm.
T+42:01.7 Spacecraft separate
The Air Force's Defense Satellite Communications System B6 spacecraft is released into space from the Delta 4 rocket, completing the U.S. military's second Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle mission.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Delta 4-Medium
Payload: DSCS 3-B6
Launch date: August 29, 2003
Launch window: 7:13-8:31 p.m. EDT (2313-0031 GMT)
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Satellite broadcast: AMC 9, (former AMC 2 slot at 85 deg West), Transponder 4, C-band

Pre-launch briefing
Mission preview - Our story looking at this Delta launch and the last DSCS spacecraft.

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

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

Launch hazard area - A map of the restricted area during liftoff.

Delta 4 rocket - Technical story of the new Delta 4 rocket family.

Rocket illustration - Graphic showing the main pieces of Delta 4 Medium vehicle.

Hardware flow - Illustration of Delta 4 rocket processing.

Rocket team - Map depicts all the partners involved in Delta 4.

RS-68 engine - Overview of the new hydrogen-fueled main engine that powers Delta 4.

DSCS - Fact sheet on the Air Force's Defense Satellite Communications System.

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


Columbia Report
A reproduction of the official accident investigation report into the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Mars Panorama

DISCOUNTED! This 360 degree image was taken by the Mars Pathfinder, which landed on the Red Planet in July 1997. The Sojourner Rover is visible in the image.
 Choose your store:
U.S.

Apollo 11 Mission Report
Apollo 11 - The NASA Mission Reports Vol. 3 is the first comprehensive study of man's first mission to another world is revealed in all of its startling complexity. Includes DVD!
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Rocket DVD
If you've ever watched a launch from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg Air Force Base or even Kodiak Island Alaska, there's no better way to describe what you witnessed than with this DVD.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Apollo 16
NEW! The latest in Apogee Book's acclaimed NASA Mission Reports series features the Apollo 16 expedition to the lunar highland area of Descartes. Includes CD-ROM.
 U.S. STORE
 U.K. & WORLDWIDE STORE

Apollo 11 special patch
Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Inside Apollo mission control
An insider's view of how Apollo flight controllers operated and just what they faced when events were crucial.
 Choose your store:
U.S.

The ultimate Apollo 11 DVD
This exceptional chronicle of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission features new digital transfers of film and television coverage unmatched by any other.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Next ISS crew
Own a little piece of history with this official patch for the International Space Station's Expedition 11 crew. We'll ship yours today!
 Choose your store:
U.S.

Gemini 12
Gemini 12: The NASA Mission Reports covers the voyage of James Lovell and Buzz Aldrin that capped the Gemini program's efforts to prove the technologies and techniques that would be needed for the Apollo Moon landings. Includes CD-ROM.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide
MISSION STATUS CENTER

INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE
ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE

ADVERTISE

© 2008 Pole Star Publications Ltd