{"id":14413,"date":"2017-08-15T17:37:44","date_gmt":"2017-08-15T09:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/timeline-atlas-5-tdrs-m-ascent-events\/"},"modified":"2017-08-15T17:37:44","modified_gmt":"2017-08-15T09:37:44","slug":"timeline-atlas-5-tdrs-m-ascent-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/timeline-atlas-5-tdrs-m-ascent-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Timeline: Atlas 5\/TDRS-M ascent events"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the launch timeline to be followed by the Atlas 5 rocket\u2019s ascent into orbit from Cape Canaveral with NASA\u2019s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-M. Launch is scheduled for Friday at 8:03 a.m. EDT (1203 GMT).<\/p>\n

T+0:00:01.1 Liftoff<\/strong>
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\nWith the RD-180 main engine running, the Atlas 5 vehicle lifts off and begins a vertical rise away from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.<\/p>\n

T+0:00:91.8: Max Q<\/strong>
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\nThe Atlas rocket, after breaking the sound barrier at 80 seconds, passes through the region of maximum dynamic pressure during ascent through the lower atmosphere.<\/p>\n

T+0:04:02.2 Booster Engine Cutoff<\/strong>
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\nThe RD-180 main engine completes its firing after consuming its kerosene and liquid oxygen fuel supply in the Atlas first stage.<\/p>\n

T+0:04:08.2 Stage Separation<\/strong>
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\nThe Common Core Booster first stage of the Atlas 5 rocket separates from the Centaur upper stage. Over the next few seconds, the Centaur engine liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen systems are readied for ignition.<\/p>\n

T+0:04:18.2 Centaur Ignition 1<\/strong>
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\nThe Centaur RL10C-1 engine ignites for the first of two upper stage firings. This burn will inject the Centaur stage and TDRS-M spacecraft into an initial parking orbit.<\/p>\n

T+0:04:26.2 Nose Cone Jettison<\/strong>
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\nThe payload fairing that protected the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-M spacecraft during launch is separated after passage through the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

T+0:17:57.7 Centaur Cutoff 1<\/strong>
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\nThe Centaur engine shuts down after arriving in a planned elliptical parking orbit. The vehicle enters a 90-minute coast period before arriving at the required location in space for the second burn.<\/p>\n

T+1:48:03.7 Centaur Ignition 2<\/strong>
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\nA final push by Centaur is ignited to reach a high-perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit for NASA\u2019s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-M spacecraft.<\/p>\n

T+1:49:00.1 Centaur Cutoff 2<\/strong>
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\nThe powered phase of flight is concluded as the Centaur reaches a customized geosynchronous transfer orbit ranging from 2,883 statute miles at its closest approach to Earth to 22,237 statute miles at apogee and an inclination of 26.2 degrees.<\/p>\n

T+1:53:46:1 Spacecraft Separation<\/strong>
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\nNASA\u2019s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-M is released into orbit from the Centaur upper stage to complete the launch.<\/p>\n