Aura Launch Day Events

The Virtual Launch Control Center was activated at
4:00 a.m. EDT.

The Virtual Launch Control Center was deactivated at 5:30 a.m. EDT. Please continue to visit the Virtual Launch Control Center for the latest status of the Aura launch.

5:30 a.m. - The Spacecraft Mission Director has called a hold. The launch has been scrubbed for 24-48 hours. There is a possible problem with the spacecraft recorder.

5:24 a.m. - The NASA Launch Manager is conducting his poll to proceed with the count at T-20 minutes.

5:22 a.m. - Radio frequency communications between the vehicle and the ground telemetry station are now being checked out.

5:15 a.m. - The final weather briefing has taken place, and there continues to be a 0% chance of weather constraint at launch. Range Safety launch constraints are also green.

5:12 a.m. - The countdown has reached the built-in T-20 minute hold. This hold will last 20 minutes.

5:09 a.m. - The first and second stage engines are now undergoing their steering checks, known as 'gimble slew' checks.

Did you know?
Six tracking stations will keep watch over the launch of Aura. They're located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, San Nicolas Island (California), Malindi (Kenya), Thule (Greenland), Alaska and Hawaii.

5:07 a.m. - The liquid oxygen level is now at 95%, and will be topped off later in the count.

5:03 a.m. - The liquid oxygen 'fill and drain' valve is now being cycled as a test.

5:02 a.m. - LOX loading has completed. Preparations are underway to begin a gimble slew check, which verifies that steering mechanisms on the Delta II launch vehicle are operational.

4:52 a.m. - At T-39 minutes and counting, we are now 14 minutes into LOX loading.

4:45 a.m. - We are now 7 minutes into LOX loading, at T-46 minutes and counting.

Did you know?
Aura was designed to answer three questions: Is the stratospheric ozone layer recovering? What are the processes controlling air quality? How is Earth's climate changing?

4:37 a.m. - Liquid oxygen loading has begun.

4:34 a.m. - The Launch Conductor is polling his first stage propulsion team to confirm readiness to proceed with liquid oxygen (LOX) loading.

4:22 a.m. - We are now at T-75 minutes and counting. Liquid oxygen is about to be loaded into the Delta II launch vehicle, and the pad is being cleared for safety. The RP-1 fuel level is now at 9,910 gallons.

4:17 a.m. - Range Safety radar beacon checks have been completed. These beacons are used to track the vehicle during ascent.

4:14 a.m. - 8,000 gallons have now been loaded into the RP-1 tank.

4:08 a.m. - The RP-1 fuel tank is now halfway full.

4:07 a.m. - The range and worldwide tracking assets are green. There is a 0% chance of weather constraint for launch.

4:05 a.m. - Six minutes into the loading of RP-1, we have reached 3,000 gallons, on our way to 10,000 gallons.

4:02 a.m. - RP-1 fueling began at 3:59 a.m. EDT. The fuel is a highly refined kerosene.

Did you know?
Aura will begin sending back science results in July 2005.