Titan 4 B-31

Titan B-31 launch timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: July 26, 2001

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-21 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+0:08:55 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+0:09:05 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+1:13:29 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-21 satellite.
T+6:29:32 IUS Stage 1 Separation
Following a five-hour coast, the spent first stage of the IUS is jettisoned.
T+6:32:56 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-21 into orbit.
T+6:54:51 Spacecraft Separation
The Defense Support Program-21 early-warning satellite is released into space from the Inertial Upper Stage to complete the B-31 launch.

Data source: U.S. Air Force.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Titan 4B/IUS (B-31)
Payload: DSP-21
Launch date: July 27, 2001
Launch window: 4:08-8:08 a.m. EDT (0808-1208 GMT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Pre-launch briefing
Titan 4B vehicle data - Overview of the rocket to be used in this launch.

DSP-21 - Description of the Defense Support Program satellite system.




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