Ferchi

Posted: November 2, 2006T-0:00:05.5Engine startThe Rocketdyne 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-00:00.0LiftoffThe four hold-down bolts are released and the Delta 4 lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base's Space Launch Complex 6 pad. The pad's two swing arms retract at T-0 seconds.T+01:23.3Max-QThe vehicle experiences the region of maximum dynamic pressure. The RS-68 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine continues to fire as the vehicle heads downrange, arcing over the Pacific along a 189-degree flight azimuth.T+03:52.8Begin engine throttlingWith engine cutoff nearing, the RS-68 powerplant starts throttling down from 102 percent. It will achieve a 57 percent throttle in five seconds.T+04:04.2Main engine cutoffThe hydrogen-fueled RS-68 rocket engine completes its firing and shuts down to complete the first stage Common Booster Core burn.T+04:11.5Stage 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+04:26.0Second stage ignitionThe upper stage begins its job to place the DMSP F17 weather satellite into space. The stage features a Pratt & Whitney RL10B-2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine.T+04:36.5Jettison nose coneThe four-meter diameter composite payload fairing that protected the DMSP spacecraft atop the Delta 4 during the atmospheric ascent is no longer needed, allowing it to be jettisoned in two halves.T+14:57.9Upper stage shutdownThe RL10 upper stage engine shuts down to complete its firing. The rocket and attached spacecraft reach an orbit of 457 by 459 nautical miles with an inclination of 98.777 degrees.T+18:18.0Spacecraft separationThe Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F17 spacecraft is released from the Delta 4 rocket, completing the second West Coast Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle mission.T+111:43.0Restart upper stageThe upper stage will coasts after deploying its payload. Then the RL10 engine reignites to deplete the remaining fuel reserves. The burn results in the stage entering a suborbital trajectory and falling back to Earth.T+114:37.9Upper stage shutdownThe depletion burn concludes, putting the upper stage on a course to reenter the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. The altitude for breakup is expected at T+plus 117 minutes and impact at T+plus 121 minutes.Data source: BoeingSTS-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!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!Apollo CollageThis beautiful one piece set features the Apollo program emblem surrounded by the individual mission logos.STS-133 PatchFree shipping to U.S. addresses!The final planned flight of space shuttle Discovery is symbolized in the official embroidered crew patch for STS-133. 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. | | | | 2014 Spaceflight Now Inc.Delta 4/NRO launch timelineSPACEFLIGHT NOW