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Flight 181: Ariane 5/ATV Countdown Timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: March 5, 2008
NOTE: GMT is +5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
| H-1 Day |
March 8, 2008 |
H-11:30:00 (1633:04 GMT)....Begin final countdown
H-07:30:00 (2033:04 GMT)....Test launcher electrical systems
H-07:30:00 (2033:04 GMT)....Configure first stage for fueling
H-06:00:00 (2203:04 GMT)....Prepare launch pad for final countdown
H-06:00:00 (2203:04 GMT)....Load flight software
H-06:00:00 (2203:04 GMT)....Test radio frequency links
H-06:00:00 (2203:04 GMT)....Align inertial guidance units
H-05:00:00 (2303:04 GMT)....Clear launch pad personnel
H-05:00:00 (2303:04 GMT)....Pressurize ground liquid hydrogen and liquid
oxygen tanks
H-05:00:00 (2303:04 GMT)....Pressurize first and second stage attitude
control systems
H-04:30:00 (2333:04 GMT)....Begin chilldown of ground propellant lines
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| H-0 Day |
March 9, 2008 |
H-04:00:00 (0003:04 GMT)....Load first stage liquid hydrogen and liquid
oxygen
H-03:00:00 (0103:04 GMT)....Begin chilldown of Vulcain 2 first stage main
engine
H-02:00:00 (0203:04 GMT)....Transition to propellant topping mode
H-02:00:00 (0203:04 GMT)....Load final ATV software
H-00:30:00 (0333:04 GMT)....Prepare synchronized launch sequence
H-00:08:00 (0355:04 GMT)....ATV in launch configuration and on
internal power
H-00:07:00 (0356:04 GMT)....Begin synchronized launch sequence
H-00:06:30 (0356:34 GMT)....Terminate propellant topping
H-00:06:30 (0356:34 GMT)....Arm launcher ordnance
H-00:04:00 (0359:04 GMT)....Pressurize first stage liquid hydrogen and
liquid oxygen tanks
H-00:03:30 (0359:34 GMT)....Calculate official launch time
H-00:02:00 (0401:04 GMT)....Open Vulcain 2 bleeder valves and close
chilldown valves
H-00:00:50 (0402:14 GMT)....Switch launcher to on-board power
H-00:00:37 (0402:27 GMT)....Begin automatic ignition sequence and start
on-board recorders
H-00:00:22 (0402:42 GMT)....Activate first stage attitude control system
H-00:00:22 (0402:42 GMT)....Switch launcher to on-board control
H-00:00:06 (0402:58 GMT)....Start hydrogen burn-off igniters and retract
cryogenic umbilical arms
H-00:00:03 (0403:01 GMT)....Switch inertial guidance units to flight mode
H-00:00:02 (0403:02 GMT)....Open launch table water valves
H0 (0403:04 GMT)............Vulcain 2 engine ignition
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Data Source: EADS Astrium
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