Spaceflight Now | Taurus Launch Report

Taurus launch events

SPACEFIGHT NOW
Posted: March 11, 2000

T+00:00	Liftoff
The first stage Peacekeeper solid rocket motor is ignited and the Taurus rocket launches from pad 576E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

T+01:00.9	Staging and second stage start
After burning its solid-fuel propellant, the first stage is separated to fall into the Pacific Ocean. At the same time, the Alliant TechSystems Orion 50S solid rocket motor second stage is ignited.

T+02:25.6	Second stage separation
Having completed its firing five seconds ago, the second stage separates from the rest of the Taurus rocket. The spent stage falls into the Pacific Ocean.

T+02:27.7	Third stage ignition
The Alliant TechSystems Orion 50 solid rocket motor third stage ignites to continue the climb to orbit.

T+02:32.7	Jettison payload fairing
The payload fairing that protected the MTI spacecraft during the atmospheric ascent opens like a clam shell and falls away from the rocket.

T+03:49.0	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.

T+08:51.9	Third stage separation
The spent third stage is separated from the Taurus rocket's upper stage. The stage impacts in the South Pacific Ocean.

T+09:02.9	Fourth stage ignition
The Taurus rocket's upper stage, an Alliant TechSystems Orion 38 solid rocket motor, ignites to complete the powered flight for this launch.

T+10:17.2	Fourth stage burnout
The fourth stage completes its firing after consuming all of its solid-fuel propellant, injecting the stage and attached MTI spacecraft into the desired orbit around Earth.

T+12:12.4	MTI separation
The U.S. Dept. of Energy's Multispectral Thermal Imager satellite is released into space from the rocket's upper stage, completing the fifth flight of Taurus.

Data source: Orbital Sciences.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Taurus
Payload: MTI
Launch date: March 12, 2000
Launch window: 0921-0949 GMT (0421-0449 EST)
Launch site: Area 576-E, Vandenberg AFB, California

Pre-launch Briefing
Taurus - Overview of the rocket to launch MTI.

Multispectral Thermal Imager - U.S. Dept. of Energy craft to test future spy satellite technology.

Launch preview - Story explains two-week delay and purpose of the launch.

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