SIRTF Launch Day Events

The Virtual Launch Control Center was activated at
11:15 p.m. EDT

The Virtual Launch Control Center was deactivated at 2:45 a.m. EDT. Thank you for joining our live coverage of the launch of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility.

Did you know?
All objects in the Universe with temperatures above absolute zero (-460F) emit some infrared radiation or heat. Scientists rely on orbiting telescopes such as SIRTF to gain data on celestial matter that are too dim, distant or cool to study using ground-based telescopes or any other astronomical techniques.

2:41 a.m. - The spacecraft's signal and telemetry (which is the automatic transmission and measurement of data from remote sources such as wire, radio or satellite) has been acquired! Cheers have erupted at Kennedy Space Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

2:41 a.m. - Spacecraft separation! This is a major milestone for the mission. Standing by for acquisition of the spacecraft's signal. Once this has occurred this will be considered a successful launch.

2:40 a.m. - From the data being received from the Rocket, it is indicated that the spacecraft has separated.

2:30 a.m. - Guam has acquired vehicle telemetry.

2:20 a.m.- SECO 2 has occurred.

2:18 a.m.- The mobile tracking station has acquired signal and is receiving telemetry of the Boeing Delta II rocket. Showing a good Second Engine ignition start.

2:12 a.m.- Delta II rocket is just off the coast of Madagascar.

1:54 a.m. - Ascension Island has acquired telemetry (telemetry is data that is transmitted from the rocket telling the ground the health of the systems on board the rocket).

1:44 a.m. - The launch vehicle will coast for approximately 33 minutes before the Second Stage will restart.

1:43 a.m. - SECO - secondary engine cutoff. The rocket has reached orbit.

1:41 a.m. - Stage 2 has ignited.

1:40 a.m. - We have attained MECO or main engine cutoff.

1:38 a.m. - Burn out of motors and solid rocket jettison.

1:35:39 a.m. - .....10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, main engine start, 0 and liftoff of the Boeing Delta II rocket with SIRTF seeking hidden secrets in the evolution of our universe..."

1:32 a.m. - We are out of the T-4 hold. The next milestone will be launch of this Boeing Delta II heavy vehicle.

1:31 a.m. - SIRTF is on internal power and SIRTF is go for launch.

1:28 a.m. - The Mission Director is polling the launch team in a final Launch Readiness Poll. All team members are "go".

1:23 a.m. - The NASA Launch Manager is polling the launch team in a final Launch Readiness Poll. All team members are" go."

1:21 a.m. - The countdown has entered a 10-minute 39-second built-in hold at T-4 minutes.

1:19 a.m. - Weather is go for launch. The facility water tanks are pressurized for use as a sound suppression system. Launch managers anticipate that steam will engulf about half of the pad at liftoff.

1:11 a.m. Range is ready, which includes the launch site and the weather that affects it and would also include aircraft and/or boats in the area.

1:08 a.m. Winds assessment given with upper level winds go for launch.

1:05 a.m. - The countdown has resumed at T-20 minutes and counting.

1:00 a.m. - The Boeing Mission Director polls his team for a "go/no-go" to proceed with the Terminal Count. All team members report they are ready.

12:57 a.m. - The NASA Launch Manager polls his team for a "go/no-go" to proceed with the final Terminal Count. All team members report they are ready.

12:45 a.m. - The countdown has entered a 20-minute built-in hold at T-20 minutes.

12:40 a.m. Slews of the vernier engines now. There are two of these engines (smaller) which are used for steering. Gimballing concluded in 7 minutes.

12:36 a.m. - Engines are gimballing (also referred to as slew) begins. First is the "coast slew," then the "first stage slew." The engines are rotated on an x-y plane, back and forth.

NASA Commentator George Diller interviewed SIRTF Mission Director Dave Gallagher on NASA TV. Mr. Gallagher explains that this a new way of looking at space will revolutionize our understanding of the Universe by seeing it in a completely different way.

11:52 p.m. - At T-72 minutes and counting, the Boeing Delta II heavy rocket is being loaded with supercold liquid oxygen. As the liquid oxygen gets loaded the vehicle seems to change color from blue to white. The fueling concluded 27 minutes 25 seconds later at 12:20 a.m.

11:39 p.m. - The NASA Launch Manager and Mission Director are conducting their polls for a "go/no-go" for cryogenic tanking. The team members all respond with either a "ready" or a "go" response.

11:29 p.m. - The Launch Weather Officer is currently holding a weather briefing. We are continuing the countdown with weather currently at a 10 percent constraint for clouds.

11:01 p.m. - Loading of 9,963 gallons RP-1 (highly refined kerosene) fuel into the Boeing Delta II heavy rocket has begun. The fuel is loaded to approximately 98 percent and monitored until the final four minutes before launch when the tank is topped off and closed for launch. Loading of the fuel took 21 minutes and 1 second.

10:35 p.m. - Terminal Countdown Briefing has been completed and we are now entering the count at T-150. At this time the warning horns will be sounded at the Pad and it is announced for "all personnel to clear the SLC-17 area."

10:27 p.m. - The NASA Launch Manager (Omar Baez) and Boeing Mission Director (Rich Murphy) have conducted their polls for a "go/no-go" to initiate the Terminal Countdown at T-150 minutes. All team members have given a "go." For further information on which team members are polled and what their roles are visit our firing room page.