T-00:00 |
Liftoff |
The first stage's decommissioned Peacekeeper SR118 solid rocket motor
ignites to begin the Minotaur 4 rocket's mission. Pitch and roll commands
two seconds later will put the rocket on the proper trajectory. |
|
T+00:37 |
Max Q |
Aerodynamic pressure on the vehicle reaches its peak as the Minotaur 4
accelerates through the lower atmosphere. |
|
T+00:57 |
Stage 1 Sep./Stage 2 Ignition |
At an altitude of 15 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. |
|
T+01:55 |
Stage 2 Burnout |
The second stage SR119 motor, built by Aerojet, burns out at an altitude of 58 miles. |
|
T+02:05 |
Stage 2 Sep./Stage 3 Ignition |
After a 10-second coast, the Hercules SR120 third stage motor fires for a 72-second burn. |
|
T+02:17 |
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 78 miles. |
|
T+03:18 |
Stage 3 Burnout |
The Hercules SR120 motor completes its burn and the Minotaur 4 enters a coast period lasting almost 20 minutes, during which the vehicle's altitude will soar to more than 400 miles. |
|
T+22:55 |
Stage 3 Separation |
The Minotaur's third stage is released to re-enter Earth's atmosphere. |
|
T+23:06 |
Stage 4 Ignition |
The Star 48 solid rocket motor is ignited to complete the job of placing the payload into orbit. This is the first flight of a Minotaur 4 rocket with the Star 48 fourth stage motor. This version of the rocket is called the Minotaur 4+ configuration. |
|
T+24:28 |
Stage 4 Burnout |
The fourth stage uses up its propellant and burns out as it enters the
targeted elliptical orbit with a perigee altitude of about 115 miles, an apogee altitude of 7,487 miles, and an orbital inclination of 63.435 degrees. |
|
T+27:48 |
TacSat 4 Separation |
The Navy's TacSat 4 satellite is deployed from the Minotaur 4
rocket's fourth stage. |
|