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Antares launch timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: September 14, 2013

T-00:00 Main Engine Ignition
The Antares rocket's two AJ26 engines ignite on the launch pad.
T+00:02 Liftoff
Producing about 730,000 pounds of thrust, the rocket's two main engines propel the 131-foot-tall Antares rocket into the sky.
T+03:53 First Stage Shutdown
After consuming its supply of kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants, the Antares first stage shuts down at an altitude of about 66 miles.
T+03:58 First Stage Separation
The first stage separates from the second stage, which begins a 91-second coast phase.
T+0:5:20 Fairing separation
After flying out of the dense lower atmosphere, the Antares rocket jettisons its clamshell-like 12.8-foot-diameter payload fairing.
T+0:5:25 Interstage jettison
The interstage adaptor connecting the first and second stages is jettisoned.
T+05:29 Second Stage Ignition
The rocket's solid-fueled Castor 30 second stage ignites at an altitude of 116 miles, ramping up to nearly 90,000 pounds of thrust during a 153-second burn.
T+08:02 Second Stage Shutdown
The Castor 30 second stage burns out after reaching a target orbit with a perigee of 151 miles, an apogee of 186 miles, and an inclination of 51.64 degrees.
T+10:02 Payload separation
The second stage deploys the Cygnus spacecraft.

Data source: Orbital Sciences Corp.

MISSION STATUS CENTER