Ferchi

Updated: June 20, 2009 T-0:00:05.5Engine startThe RS-68 main engine begins to ignite as the liquid hydrogen fuel valve is opened, creating a large fireball at the base of the rocket. The engine powers up to full throttle for a computer-controlled checkout before liftoff.T-0:00:00.0LiftoffThe rocket's two strap-on solid rocket motors are lit, the four hold-down bolts are released and the Delta 4 lifts off from Cape Canaveral's pad 37B. The pad's three swing arms retract at T-0 seconds.T+0:01:00.7Max-QThe vehicle experiences the region of maximum dynamic pressure. Both solid motors and the RS-68 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine continue to fire as the vehicle heads downrange, arcing over the Atlantic along a 95-degree flight azimuth.T+0:01:40.0Jettison solid motorsHaving used up all their solid-propellant and experienced burnout six seconds ago, the two strap-on boosters are jettisoned from the Delta's first stage. The spent casings fall into the ocean.T+0:03:30.0Begin engine throttlingWith the maximum axial acceleration reached, the RS-68 powerplant starts throttling down from 102 percent. It will achieve a 57 percent throttle in five seconds.T+0:04:26.7Main engine cutoffThe hydrogen-fueled RS-68 rocket engine completes its firing and shuts down to complete the first stage burn.T+0:04:32.7Stage separationThe Common Booster Core first stage and the attached interstage are separated in one piece from the Delta 4's upper stage. The upper stage engine's extendible nozzle drops into position as the first stage separates.T+0:04:47.2Second stage ignitionThe upper stage begins its job to place the GOES-O satellite into space with the first of three firingsby the RL10B-2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine.T+0:04:57.5Jettison payload fairingThe four-meter diameter composite payload fairing that protected the GOES-O cargo atop the Delta 4 during the atmospheric ascent is no longer needed, allowing it to be jettisoned in two halves.T+0:12:37.4Upper stage shutdownThe RL10 upper stage engine shuts down to complete its first firing of the launch. The rocket and attached satellite reach a parking orbit of 100.6 by 298.6 nautical miles with an inclination of 28.4 degrees.T+0:23:05.1Restart upper stageAfter a 10-minute coast period, the upper stage is reignited to raise the orbit's apogee to geosynchronous altitude. The stage's pitch program begins six seconds after restart and lasts until moments before engine cutoff.T+0:27:07.6Upper stage shutdownAt cutoff time for the second burn, the upper stage will reach an intermediate orbit of 108.6 by 18,459 nautical miles with an inclination of 26.6 degrees.T+4:10:01.0Restart upper stageThe upper stage will spend a couple of hours coasting to the orbit's high point where the RL10 engine reignites to raise perigee and reduce inclination.T+4:10:56.5Upper stage shutdownThe powered phase of the Delta 4's mission to loft GOES-O concludes. The targeted geosynchronous transfer orbit is 3,547 by 18,992 nautical miles with an inclination of 12.1 degrees.T+4:17:16.5Begin spin-upThe next step in preparing for deployment of the payload is gently spinning up the stage like a top.T+4:21:26.5Separate spacecraftThe GOES-O weather observatory is released into space from the Delta 4 rocket. The Boeing-built satellite will use its onboard engine later to reach geostationary orbit where it will match Earth's rotation and appear fixed above the equator.Image and data source: Boeing/ULA.Final Shuttle Mission PatchFree shipping to U.S. addresses!The crew emblem for the final space shuttle mission is now available in our store. Get this piece of history!STS-134 PatchFree shipping to U.S. addresses!The final planned flight of space shuttle Endeavour is symbolized in the official embroidered crew patch for STS-134. Available in our store!Ares 1-X PatchThe official embroidered patch for the Ares 1-X rocket test flight, is available for purchase.Apollo CollageThis beautiful one piece set features the Apollo program emblem surrounded by the individual mission logos.Project OrionThe Orion crew exploration vehicle is NASA's first new human spacecraft developed since the space shuttle a quarter-century earlier. The capsule is one of the key elements of returning astronauts to the Moon.Fallen Heroes Patch CollectionThe official patches from Apollo 1, the shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews are available in the store. | | | | 2014 Spaceflight Now Inc.GOES-N fact sheetFROM NASA PRESS KIT