Ferchi

Posted: August 26, 2013T-00:00LiftoffThe 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.T+00:38.5Max-QAerodynamic pressure on the vehicle reaches its peak as the Minotaur 5 accelerates through the lower atmosphere.T+00:56.9Stage 1 Sep./Stage 2 IgnitionAt 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.T+02:15.4Stage 2 Sep./Stage 3 IgnitionThe 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.T+02:43.0Fairing JettisonThe 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.T+03:27.6Stage 3 BurnoutThe 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.T+07:11.6Stage 3 SeparationThe Minotaur's third stage is released to re-enter Earth's atmosphere.T+07:22.8Stage 4 IgnitionThe Star 48BV solid rocket motor is ignited for an 85-second burn to place the Minotaur 5 rocket into a low-altitude parking orbit.T+08:47.6Stage 4 BurnoutThe 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.T+14:26.9Stage 4 SeparationThe Star 48BV fourth stage motor is jettisoned.T+15:41.9Stage 5 Spin-upThe Minotaur's Star 37FM fifth stage will spin up for stabilization before ignition. The spin also provides better orbital injection accuracy.T+16:56.9Stage 5 IgnitionThe fifth stage motor ignites for a 63-second burn.T+18:00.4Stage 5 BurnoutThe 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.T+21:56.9Stage 5 De-spinTwo 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.T+23:26.9LADEE SeparationNASA's LADEE spacecraft deploys from the Minotaur fifth stage to begin its journey to the moon.Minotaur launch timelineSPACEFLIGHT NOW