Spaceflight Now | Titan Launch Report

B-29 launch timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: May 7, 2000

T+0:00:00	Liftoff
The twin Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade (SRMU) boosters are ignited and the Titan 4B rocket launches from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

T+0:00:06	Roll Program
Rocket beings a roll maneuver to the flight azimuth of 93 degrees for the travel downrange from launch site.

T+0:02:11	Stage 1 Ignition
The Titan 4B rocket's core vehicle stage 1 engine -- the Aerojet LR87-AJ-11 -- is ignited. The liquid-propellant powerplant burns Aerozine-50 fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer.

T+0:02:26	SRMU Separation
Having consumed all their solid-propellant, the two Alliant Techsystems-built solid rocket boosters are jettisoned to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.

T+0:03:26	Jettison Payload Fairing
The 56-foot long payload fairing buit by Boeing that protected the DSP-20 satellite during launch is separated once heating levels drop to predetermined limits.

T+0:05:21	Staging of Titan Core
The first stage engine shuts down and the second stage Aerojet LR91-AJ-11 engine is ignited. The spent first stage is jettisoned from the rest of the space-bound Titan 4B rocket one second after the second stage is started.

T+0:08:47	Stage 2 Shutdown
The liquid-fueled second stage engine completes its firing and the rocket enters a brief coast period before deployment of the upper stage and DSP payload.

T+0:08:54	Stage 2/IUS Separation
The Boeing-built Inertial Upper Stage is released from the Titan rocket's core vehicle, which has completed its role in the launch. The IUS and attached DSP satellite now begin a coast period through space before the first of two firings of the upper stage kick motor.

T+1:13:22	IUS SRM 1 Burn
The first stage of the solid-fueled IUS is ignited to begin the journey from low-Earth orbit to geostationary altitude for the DSP-20 satellite.

T+6:28:57	IUS Stage 1 Separation
Following a five-hour coast, the spent first stage of the IUS is jettisoned.

T+6:32:32	IUS SRM 2 Burn
The second stage of the solid-fueled IUS is ignited to complete the powered phase of the launch to place DSP-20 into orbit.

T+6:54:23	Spacecraft Separation
The Defense Support Program-20 early-warning satellite is released into space from the Inertial Upper Stage to complete the B-29 launch.

Data source: U.S. Air Force and Boeing.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Titan 4B/IUS (B-29)
Payload: DSP-20
Launch date: May 8, 2000
Launch window: 1330-1730 GMT (9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

Launch pad tour

Explore the scene at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 40 through Spaceflight Now's virtual reality camera during final preparations for the launch of the Titan 4 rocket and DSP-20 satellite.
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Pre-launch briefing
Launch preview - Read our story for a complete preview of the Titan 4 launch.

Titan 4B vehicle data - Overview of the rocket that will launch DSP-20 into space.

DSP - Description of the Defense Support Program satellite system.

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