Wide view of the liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket carrying NASA’s ICESat-2 spacecraft. Image credit: NASA TV
A Look Back at Liftoff
Second Stage Engine Cutoff
The Delta II rocket’s second stage engine has completed its first burn. The rocket and ICESat-2 spacecraft are entering a 36-minute coast phase.
Second Stage First Burn Underway; Payload Fairing Jettisoned
The Delta II rocket’s first stage engine completed its burn on time and separated from the vehicle. The second stage engine is burning now. The payload fairing separated on schedule, exposing the ICESat-2 satellite to the space environment for the first time.
LIFTOFF!
Ignition and liftoff! NASA’s ICESat-2 spacecraft is on its way into orbit to embark on a three-year mission to measure the changing height of Earth’s ice. The United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket is making its final climb into space after an early morning launch from Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in …
ULA ‘Go’ for Launch
The United Launch Alliance team is “go” for launch. The ICESat-2 spacecraft is configured for launch and has been transferred from ground to battery power. Countdown clocks are counting down from the T-minus 4 minute mark.
NASA Team ‘Go’ for ICESat-2 Launch
NASA Launch Manager Tim Dunn just conducted his team’s final launch readiness poll and all are “go” for launch. “The NASA team is ‘go’ for the ICESat-2 mission on the Delta II,” Dunn said.
New Launch Time: 6:02 a.m. PDT (9:02 a.m. EDT)
The launch team is working toward a new launch time of 6:02 a.m. PDT (9:02 a.m. EDT). The T-minus 4 minute hold has been extended to accommodate the new time.
T-Minus 4 Minutes and Holding
Countdown clocks have paused for 10 minutes at the T-minus 4 minute mark. This is the final planned hold in today’s countdown.
Delta II, Industry Workhorse, Ready for Final Flight
The ICESat-2 spacecraft and ELaNa XVIII payload will be carried into space aboard the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. In use since 1989, the Delta II has a stellar track record: it’s launched 154 times, carrying payloads aloft for NASA, the U.S. military and commercial clients. Today’s launch will be NASA’s 54th on the …
Favorable Forecast for Launch Time
Launch Weather Officer 1st Lt. Daniel Smith of the 30th Space Wing just briefed the team on today’s weather forecast, and it was good news: The forecast remains 100 percent “go” on all constraints. Countdown clocks are now at 15 minutes and counting.