T-00:00 |
Liftoff |
The first stage's decommissioned Peacekeeper SR118 solid rocket motor ignites to begin the Minotaur 5 rocket's mission. Pitch and roll commands two seconds later will put the rocket on the proper trajectory. |
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T+00:38.5 |
Max-Q |
Aerodynamic pressure on the vehicle reaches its peak as the Minotaur 5 accelerates through the lower atmosphere. |
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T+00:56.9 |
Stage 1 Sep./Stage 2 Ignition |
At an altitude of 14 miles, the rocket's ATK-built solid-fueled first stage exhausts its supply of propellant and is jettisoned. The second stage's SR119 motor ignites to continue the flight toward space. |
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T+02:15.4 |
Stage 2 Sep./Stage 3 Ignition |
The second stage SR119 motor, built by Aerojet Rocketdyne, burns out at an altitude of 61 miles. The Hercules SR120 third stage motor fires for a 72-second burn. |
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T+02:43.0 |
Fairing Jettison |
The 92-inch graphite-epoxy aluminum honeycomb payload fairing that protected the satellites during the ride through the lower atmosphere is jettisoned as the rocket ascends into space at an altitude of 77 miles. |
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T+03:27.6 |
Stage 3 Burnout |
The Hercules SR120 motor completes its burn and the Minotaur 4 enters a coast period lasting almost 4 minutes, during which the vehicle's altitude will soar to more than 160 miles in altitude. |
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T+07:11.6 |
Stage 3 Separation |
The Minotaur's third stage is released to re-enter Earth's atmosphere. |
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T+07:22.8 |
Stage 4 Ignition |
The Star 48BV solid rocket motor is ignited for an 85-second burn to place the Minotaur 5 rocket into a low-altitude parking orbit. |
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T+08:47.6 |
Stage 4 Burnout |
The Minotaur's fourth stage motor, built by ATK, exhausts its solid propellant after reaching orbit. The launcher begins a coast phase lasting more than 8 minutes before ignition of the fifth stage motor. |
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T+14:26.9 |
Stage 4 Separation |
The Star 48BV fourth stage motor is jettisoned. |
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T+15:41.9 |
Stage 5 Spin-up |
The Minotaur's Star 37FM fifth stage will spin up for stabilization before ignition. The spin also provides better orbital injection accuracy. |
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T+16:56.9 |
Stage 5 Ignition |
The fifth stage motor ignites for a 63-second burn. |
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T+18:00.4 |
Stage 5 Burnout |
The fifth stage burns out after reaching a planned orbit with a low point of 124 miles, a high point of 172,741 miles and an inclination of 37.65 degrees. |
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T+21:56.9 |
Stage 5 De-spin |
Two small yo-yo-like structures are extended and released from the Star 37FM motor to reduce the spinning motion the Minotaur rocket and LADEE are experiencing in preparation for satellite separation. |
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T+23:26.9 |
LADEE Separation |
NASA's LADEE spacecraft deploys from the Minotaur fifth stage to begin its journey to the moon. |
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