Ferchi

Posted: January 30, 2009T-00:00LiftoffThe Delta 2 rocket's main engine and twin vernier steering thrusters are started moments before launch. The three strap-on solid rocket motors are ignited at T-0 to begin the mission.T+01:04.0SRB BurnoutThe ground-start Alliant TechSystems-built solid rocket motors consume all their propellant and burn out.T+01:39.0Jettison SRBsThe spent solid rocket boosters are jettisoned to fall into the Pacific Ocean. The spent casings remained attached until the vehicle passed into preset drop zone, clear of offshore oil platforms.T+01:40.0Begin Dog-legAfter initially flying from Vandenberg along a 196-degree flight azimuth, the rocket begins steering itself to obtain the desired orbital inclination. This dog-leg maneuver continues for 40 seconds.T+04:24.2Main Engine CutoffAfter consuming its RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen, the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-27A first stage main engine is shut down. The vernier engines cut off moments later.T+04:32.7Stage SeparationThe Delta rocket's first stage is separated now, having completed its job. The spent stage will fall into the Pacific Ocean.T+04:37.7Second Stage IgnitionWith the stage jettisoned, the rocket's second stage takes over. The Aerojet AJ118-K liquid-fueled engine ignites for the first of two firings needed to place the NOAA-N Prime spacecraft into the proper orbit.T+04:56.0Jettison Payload FairingThe 10-foot diameter payload fairing that protected the NOAA-N Prime cargo atop the Delta 2 during the atmospheric ascent is jettisoned is two halves.T+11:16.1Second Stage Cutoff 1The second stage engine shuts down to complete its first firing of the launch. The rocket and attached spacecraft are now in a long coast period before the second stage reignites. The orbit achieved should be 468 nautical miles at apogee, 100 miles at perigee and inclined 98.6 degrees.T+59:21.0Second Stage RestartDelta's second stage engine reignites for a short firing to raise the orbit's perigee.T+59:34.3Second Stage Cutoff 2The second stage shuts down after a 13-second burn. The orbit achieved should be 466.5 nautical miles at apogee, 463.0 miles at perigee and inclined 98.7 degrees.T+65:40.0Payload SeparationThe NOAA-N Prime polar-orbiting weather satellite is released from the Delta 2 rocket, completing the launch.Data source: ULA.John Glenn Mission PatchFree shipping to U.S. addresses!The historic first orbital flight by an American is marked by this commemorative patch for John Glenn and Friendship 7.Final Shuttle Mission PatchFree shipping to U.S. addresses!The crew emblem for the final space shuttle mission is available in our store. Get this piece of history!Celebrate the shuttle programFree shipping to U.S. addresses!This special commemorative patch marks the retirement of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. Available in our store!Anniversary Shuttle PatchFree shipping to U.S. addresses!This embroidered patch commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Program. The design features the space shuttle Columbia's historic maiden flight of April 12, 1981.Mercury anniversaryFree shipping to U.S. addresses!Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alan Shephard's historic Mercury mission with this collectors' item, the official commemorative embroidered patch.Fallen Heroes Patch CollectionThe official patches from Apollo 1, the shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews are available in the store. | | | | 2014 Spaceflight Now Inc.Delta 341 launch timelineSPACEFLIGHT NOW