T+00:00 |
Liftoff |
The first stage Castor 120 solid rocket motor is ignited and the Taurus rocket launches from pad 576E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. |
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T+01:25 |
Staging |
After burning its solid-fuel propellant, the first stage is separated to fall into the Pacific Ocean. At the same time, the Orion 50SXLG solid rocket motor second stage is ignited. |
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T+02:50 |
Second stage jettison |
Having completed its firing at T+plus 2:45, the second stage separates from the rest of the Taurus rocket. The spent stage falls into the Pacific Ocean. |
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T+02:52 |
Third stage ignition |
The Orion 50XL solid rocket motor third stage ignites to continue the climb to orbit. |
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T+02:58 |
Jettison payload fairing |
The payload fairing nose cone that protected the spacecraft during the atmospheric ascent opens like a clam shell and falls away from the rocket.
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T+04:11 |
Third stage burnout |
The Taurus rocket's third stage ends its burn after consuming all the solid-fuel propellant. A ballistic coast period now begins as the rocket heads toward the apogee of its final orbit.
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T+05:15 |
Third stage separation |
The spent third stage is separated from the Taurus rocket's upper stage in preparation for the final push to orbit. |
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T+09:58 |
Fourth stage ignition |
The Taurus rocket's upper stage, an Orion 38 solid rocket motor to complete the powered flight for this launch, basically raising the perigee to achieve a circular orbit. |
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T+11:10 |
Fourth stage burnout |
The fourth stage completes its firing after consuming all of its solid-fuel propellant, injecting the stage and attached payloads into the desired orbit around Earth. |
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T+13:05 |
Glory separation |
NASA's Glory satellite is released into space from the rocket's upper stage to begin its climate-researching mission. |
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T+13:15 |
CubeSat separation |
The three tiny cubesats are ejected from the special deployer box attached to the rocket's upper stage, completing the ninth flight of Taurus. |
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