Spaceflight Now | Ariane Launch Report | Flight 127 mission events

Flight 127 mission events

SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: Feb. 15, 2000

H0	Engine ignition
Four first stage Snecma Viking 5 engines and two Snecma Viking 6 engines on the twin liquid strap-on boosters are started and undergo checkout prior to launch.

H0+00:04.2	Solid Strap-on ignition
The twin Fiat Avio-built solid-fueled boosters attached to the first stage are ignited.

H0+00:04.4	Launch
The Ariane 44LP rocket lifts off from ELA-2 complex at Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, South America.

H0+00:13	Start Pitch Maneuver
Following a vertical ascent phase, the rocket begins a 10-second pitch motion for positioning on the proper launch trajectory.

H0+01:09	Jettison Solid Boosters
After using up their solid-propellant, the spent solid strap-on boosters are jettisoned from the Ariane rocket's first stage to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.

H0+02:27	Liquid Booster Separation
Having consumed their liquid propellant, the DaimlerChrysler Aerospace-built strap-on boosters are jettisoned from the Ariane rocket's first stage to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.

H0+03:32	First Stage Separation
The Aerospatiale Matra-built first stage of the Ariane 44LP rocket is separated to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.

H0+03:33	Second Stage Ignition
The single Snecma Viking 4 engine aboard the Ariane's second stage is started, continuing the climb to orbit.

H0+04:37	Jettison Payload Fairing
The 4-meter diameter payload fairing, built by Oerlikon Contraves, that protected Superbird 4 during atmospheric ascent.

H0+05:44	Second Stage Separation
The DaimlerChrysler Aerospace-built second stage of the Ariane 44LP rocket is jettisoned to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.

H0+05:48	Third Stage Ignition
Following the release of the second stage, the single Snecma HM 7B third stage engine is started to complete the powered phase of flight to deliver Superbird 4 into orbit.

H0+18:51	Third Stage Shutdown
After consuming its supply of liquid hydrogen and liquid oyxgen, the third stage engine shuts down. Injection into the required orbit follows two seconds later. The Aerospatiale Matra-built stage will now provide the necessary pointing and alignment for payload separation.

H0+21:09	Superbird 4 Separation
The Superbird 4 spacecraft is released into the desired geosynchronous transfer orbit. The pre-flight predicted injection orbit features a perigee altitude of 200 km, apogee altitude of 37,786 km and inclination of 5 degrees.

Data source: Arianespace.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Ariane 44LP
Payload: Superbird 4
Launch date: Feb. 17, 2000
Launch window: 0104-0155 (8:04-8:55 p.m. EST on 16th)
Launch site: ELA-2, Kourou, French Guina

Pre-launch Briefing
Ariane 44LP - Overview of the rocket to launch Superbird 4.

Purpose of Superbird 4 - Satellite to meet growing communications needs of Asia-Pacific.

The Superbird 4 satellite - Overview of the Hughes-built HS601 HP model spacecraft.

Explore the Net
Arianespace - European launch services provider that uses Ariane 4 and 5 rockets to carry satellites into space.

Space Communications Corp. - Tokyo-based company that will operate Superbird 4 once in space.

Hughes Space and Communications - U.S. manufacturer of Galaxy 10R satellite.

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