Ferchi

Posted: July 28, 2004T-00:00LiftoffThe Delta 2 rocket's main engine and twin vernier steering thrusters are started moments before launch. The six ground-start strap-on solid rocket motors are ignited at T-0 to begin the mission.T+01:16.4Ground SRM BurnoutThe six ground-start Alliant TechSystems-built solid rocket motors consume all their propellant and burn out.T+01:19.0Air-Lit SRM IgnitionThe three remaining solid rocket motors strapped to the Delta 2 rocket's first stage are ignited.T+01:20.5Jettison Ground SRMsThe six spent ground-started solid rocket boosters are jettisoned in sets of three to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.T+02:39.5Jettison Air-Lit SRMsHaving burned out, the three spent air-started solid rocket boosters are jettisoned toward the Atlantic Ocean.T+04:23.5Main Engine CutoffAfter consuming its RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen, the Rocketdyne RS-27A first stage main engine is shut down. The vernier engines cut off moments later.T+04:31.5Stage SeparationThe Delta rocket's first stage is separated now, having completed its job. The spent stage will fall into the Atlantic Ocean.T+04:37.0Second 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 upper stage and MESSENGER satellite into the proper orbit.T+04:41.0Jettison Payload FairingThe 9.5-foot diameter payload fairing that protected the MESSENGER satellite atop the Delta 2 during the atmospheric ascent is jettisoned is two halves.T+08:49.0Second Stage Cutoff 1The second stage engine shuts down to complete its first firing of the launch. The rocket and attached MESSENGER spacecraft are now in a coast period before the second stage reignites. The orbit achieved should be 90 miles circular and inclined 32.44 degrees.T+46:01.0Second Stage RestartDelta's second stage engine reignites to raise the orbit.T+48:52.3Second Stage Cutoff 2The second stage shuts down after a near-three-minute firing. The orbit achieved should be 4,136.6 miles at apogee, 84.2 miles at perigee and inclined 32.49 degrees.T+49:33.2Spin UpTiny thrusters on the side of the rocket will be fired to spin up the vehicle in preparation for stage separation.T+49:35.3Stage SeparationThe liquid-fueled second stage is jettisoned from the rest of the Delta 2 rocket.T+50:14.1Third Stage IgnitionThe Thiokol Star 48B solid-fueled third stage is then ignited to propel the MESSENGER satellite into orbit around the Sun.T+51:39.3Third Stage BurnoutHaving used up all its solid-propellant, the third stage burns out to completed the powered phase of the launch sequence for MESSENGER.T+56:43.7Spacecraft SeparationNASA's MESSENGER space probe is released into space from the Delta 2 rocket for its five billion mile journey from Earth to the solar system's innermost planet -- Mercury.Data source: Boeing.Apollo 11 special patchSpecial collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.Choose your store: - 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.Apollo CollageThis beautiful one piece set features the Apollo program emblem surrounded by the individual mission logos. | | | | 2014 Spaceflight Now Inc.MESSENGER launch windowsSPACEFLIGHT NOW