{"id":16675,"date":"2015-01-14T17:12:59","date_gmt":"2015-01-14T09:12:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/atlas-muos-3-launch-timeline\/"},"modified":"2015-01-14T17:12:59","modified_gmt":"2015-01-14T09:12:59","slug":"atlas-muos-3-launch-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/atlas-muos-3-launch-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlas\/MUOS 3 launch timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This is the ascent timeline to be followed by the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket in launching the Mobile User Objective System satellite No. 3 on Jan. 20 at 7:43 p.m. EST.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+00:00.0&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Liftoff<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2826\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos01.jpg\" alt=\"muos01\" width=\"596\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos01.jpg 596w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos01-300x165.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 596px) 100vw, 596px\">With the RD-180 main engine running, the five strap-on solid rocket boosters are lit as the Atlas 5 vehicle lifts off and begins a vertical rise away from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+0:00:51.2: Max Q<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2827\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos02.jpg\" alt=\"muos02\" width=\"943\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos02.jpg 943w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos02-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos02-768x434.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 943px) 100vw, 943px\">The Atlas rocket passes through the region of maximum dynamic pressure during ascent through the lower atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+01:52.2&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Jettison SRBs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2828\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos03.jpg\" alt=\"muos03\" width=\"953\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos03.jpg 953w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos03-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos03-768x435.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 953px) 100vw, 953px\">Having burned out of propellant approximately 20 seconds earlier, the spent solid rocket boosters are jettisoned to fall into the Atlantic Ocean. The separation event is staggered with two motors releasing first, then the others about 1.5 seconds later.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+03:33.0&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Nose Cone Jettison<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2829\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos04.jpg\" alt=\"muos04\" width=\"949\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos04.jpg 949w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos04-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos04-768x434.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 949px) 100vw, 949px\">The payload fairing that protected the MUOS 3 spacecraft during launch is separated once heating levels drop to predetermined limits after passage through the atmosphere. The Forward Load Reactor deck that supported the payload fairing\u2019s structure to Centaur upper stage is released five seconds after the shroud\u2019s jettison.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+04:27.6&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Main Engine Cutoff<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2830\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos05.jpg\" alt=\"muos05\" width=\"946\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos05.jpg 946w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos05-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos05-768x440.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\">The RD-180 main engine completes its firing after consuming its kerosene and liquid oxygen fuel supply in the Atlas first stage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+04:33.6&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Stage Separation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2833\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos06.jpg\" alt=\"muos06\" width=\"958\" height=\"520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos06.jpg 958w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos06-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos06-768x417.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 958px) 100vw, 958px\">The 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<p><strong>T+04:43.6&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Centaur Ignition 1<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2832\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos07.jpg\" alt=\"muos07\" width=\"946\" height=\"523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos07.jpg 946w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos07-300x166.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos07-768x425.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\">The Centaur RL10 engine ignites for the first of three upper stage firings. This burn will inject the Centaur stage and MUOS spacecraft into an initial parking orbit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+12:30.4&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Centaur Cutoff 1<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2831\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos08.jpg\" alt=\"muos08\" width=\"950\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos08.jpg 950w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos08-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos08-768x437.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\">The Centaur engine shuts down after arriving in a planned low-Earth parking orbit of 90 by 340 nautical miles at 28 degrees inclination. The vehicle enters an 8-minute coast period before arriving at the required location in space for the second burn.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+20:32.5&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Centaur Ignition 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2834\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos09.jpg\" alt=\"muos09\" width=\"950\" height=\"566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos09.jpg 950w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos09-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos09-768x458.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\">The Centaur re-ignites to accelerate the payload into a highly elliptical transfer orbit from the parking altitude achieved earlier in the launch sequence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+26:18.7&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Centaur Cutoff 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2835\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos10.jpg\" alt=\"muos10\" width=\"950\" height=\"552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos10.jpg 950w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos10-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos10-768x446.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\">At the conclusion of its second firing, the Centaur will have ascending into a 105 by 18,600 nautical mile orbit inclined 26 degrees to begin a two-and-a-half-hour coast.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+2:48:44.8&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Centaur Ignition 3<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2823\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos11.jpg\" alt=\"muos11\" width=\"971\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos11.jpg 971w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos11-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos11-768x443.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 971px) 100vw, 971px\"><br \/>\nA final push by Centaur is ignited to raise the orbit\u2019s low point and reduce orbital inclination for the MUOS spacecraft.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+2:49:43.0&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Centaur Cutoff 3<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2822\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos12.jpg\" alt=\"muos12\" width=\"954\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos12.jpg 954w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos12-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos12-768x445.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 954px) 100vw, 954px\"><br \/>\nThe powered phase of flight is concluded as the Centaur reaches the planned geosynchronous transfer orbit of 2,053 by 19,323 nautical miles and 19.1 degrees inclination.<\/p>\n<p><strong>T+2:53:22.0&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Spacecraft Separation<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2821\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos14.jpg\" alt=\"muos14\" width=\"946\" height=\"565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos14.jpg 946w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos14-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/muos14-768x459.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\"><br \/>\nThe U.S. Navy\u2019s third Mobile User Objective System spacecraft, MUOS 3, is released into orbit from the Centaur upper stage to complete the launch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is the ascent timeline to be followed by the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket in launching the Mobile User Objective System satellite No. 3 on Jan. 20 at 7:43 p.m. EST. &nbsp; T+00:00.0&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Liftoff With the RD-180 main engine running, the five strap-on solid rocket boosters are lit as the Atlas 5 vehicle [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[4162,4163,3970],"class_list":["post-16675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-av-052","tag-muos-3","tag-us-navy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16675"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16675"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16675\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}