The Centaur’s engine is firing once more in its second, and final, burn in tonight’s ascent. This is an approximately seven-minute burn.
Centaur Begins Second, Final Burn
Coast Phase Continues
As the Centaur upper stage continues its coast phase, its onboard reaction control thrusters are firing periodically to keep propellants settled in the bottom of their tanks in anticipation of the start of the Centaur’s second and final burn.
First Centaur Main Engine Cutoff
The first burn of the Centaur upper stage is complete and the vehicle has entered a coast phase of about half an hour. At the conclusion of the coast phase, the Centaur’s engine will ignite again for an approximately seven-minute burn, followed by another short coast. Separation of the Solar Orbiter spacecraft from the Centaur …
Centaur Burn Underway; Payload Fairing Jettisoned
The first of two burns for the Centaur upper stage is underway following burnout and separation of the Atlas booster. This is an approximately eight-minute burn. The payload fairing, having protected the spacecraft in the early minutes of flight, has separated and fallen away as planned.
Solid Rocket Booster Jettisoned
The Atlas V’s single solid rocket booster has been jettisoned. The vehicle is performing as expected. The next major milestone is cutoff of the Atlas booster’s main engine.
LIFTOFF of Atlas V Rocket and Solar Orbiter Spacecraft
Liftoff! The Atlas V 411 rocket is quickly climbing away from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying the Solar Orbiter spacecraft on an international, collaborative mission to view the Sun like never before.
One Minute and Counting
One minute until liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and Solar Orbiter spacecraft. Eastern Range is “green,” meaning it’s “go” for launch.
T-4 Minutes and Counting
The countdown has resumed at T-4 minutes and counting. United Launch Alliance and NASA have polled their teams and they’re “go” for launch of the Atlas V rocket and Solar Orbiter spacecraft at 11:03 p.m. EST. The spacecraft is on internal power.
10 Minutes Until Launch
Liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Solar Orbiter spacecraft is on track for 11:03 p.m. EST. Countdown clocks remain in a planned, built-in hold at the T-4 minute mark. The hold will release at 10:59 p.m. — four minutes prior to launch.
T-4 Minutes and Holding
Countdown clocks have temporarily paused at the T-4 minute mark. This is a planned, 15-minute hold expected to release at 10:59 p.m. EST. Liftoff of the Solar Orbiter spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket remains on schedule for 11:03 p.m.