CONTOUR launch timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Updated: June 28, 2002

T-0:00:00.0 Liftoff
The Delta 2 rocket's main engine and twin vernier steering thrusters are started moments before launch. The four strap-on solid rocket motors are ignited at T-0 to begin the mission.
T+0:01:03.1 SRM Burnout
The four Alliant TechSystems-built solid rocket motors consume all their propellant and burn out.
T+0:01:08.0 Jettison SRMs
The four spent ground-started solid rocket boosters are jettisoned in to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.
T+0:04:24.0 Main Engine Cutoff
After consuming its RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen, the Rocketdyne RS-27A first stage main engine is shut down. The vernier engines cut off moments later.
T+0:04:32.0 Stage Separation
The Delta rocket's first stage is separated now, having completed its job. The spent stage will fall into the Atlantic Ocean.
T+0:04:37.5 Second Stage Ignition
With the stage jettisoned, the rocket's second stage takes over. The Aerojet AJ10-118K liquid-fueled engine ignites for the first of two firings needed to boost the upper stage and CONTOUR spacecraft into the proper orbit.
T+0:04:42.0 Jettison Fairing
The 9.5-foot diameter payload fairing that protected the CONTOUR satellite atop the Delta 2 during the atmospheric ascent is jettisoned is two halves.
T+0:11:36.1 Second Stage Cutoff 1
The second stage engine shuts down to complete its first firing of the launch. The rocket and attached CONTOUR spacecraft now begin a 47-minute coast period before the second stage reignites. The orbit achieved should be 99.9 by 106.6 nautical miles, inclined 29.7 deg.
T+0:58:30.4 Second Stage Restart
Delta's second stage engine reignites for a very short burst to raise the orbital altitude.
T+0:58:34.4 Second Stage Cutoff 2
The second stage shuts down after reaching an orbit of 99.8 by 166.7 nautical miles inclined 29.7 degrees. Over the next minute, tiny thrusters on the side of the rocket will be fired to spin up the vehicle in preparation for stage separation.
T+0:59:27.4 Stage Separation
The liquid-fueled second stage is jettisoned from the rest of the Delta 2 rocket having completed its role in the launch.
T+1:00:06.0 Third Stage Ignition
The Thiokol Star 48B solid-fueled third stage is then ignited to propel CONTOUR into a highly elliptical Earth orbit. A nutation control system featuring a thruster on an arm mounted on the side of the stage will be used to maintain stability during the burn.
T+1:01:32.2 Third Stage Burnout
Having used up all its solid-propellant, the third stage burns out to completed the powered phase of the launch sequence.
T+1:03:30.6 Spacecraft Separation
NASA's CONTOUR comet-chasing spacecraft is deployed from the Delta 2 rocket to begin its mission. A kick motor on the probe will be fired August 15 to leave Earth orbit.

Data source: Boeing.

Flight Data File
Vehicle: Delta 2 (7425-9.5)
Payload: CONTOUR
Launch date: July 1, 2002
Launch time: 2:56:14 a.m. EDT (0656:14 GMT)
Launch site: SLC-17A, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Satellite broadcast: GE-2, Transponder 9, C-band

Pre-launch briefing
Orbit trace - Maps showing the ground track for the launch.

Launch windows - See the daily launch opportunities for CONTOUR.

CONTOUR - Technical look at the spacecraft and its systems.

Science goals - The science of CONTOUR aims at a closer look at comet diversity.

Delta 2 rocket - Overview of the Delta 2 7425-model rocket used in this launch.

SLC-17 - The launch complex where Delta rockets fly from Cape Canaveral.

Delta manufacturing - Map of where the parts for Delta 2 rockets are made.

Hardware flow - Illustration of how Delta 2s come together at the Cape.

Delta directory - See our coverage of preview Delta rocket flights.

Apollo 11 special patch
Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Inside Apollo mission control
An insider's view of how Apollo flight controllers operated and just what they faced when events were crucial.
 Choose your store:
U.S.

The ultimate Apollo 11 DVD
This exceptional chronicle of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission features new digital transfers of film and television coverage unmatched by any other.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Next ISS crew
Own a little piece of history with this official patch for the International Space Station's Expedition 11 crew. We'll ship yours today!
 Choose your store:
U.S.

On to Mars
A wide variety of papers presented at the first four years of the Mars Society's annual conference are collected together in this volume.
 U.S. STORE
 WORLDWIDE STORE

Gemini 7
Gemini 7: The NASA Mission Reports covers this 14-day mission by Borman and Lovell as they demonstrated some of the more essential facts of space flight. Includes CD-ROM.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Apollo patches
The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Mars Rover mission patch
A mission patch featuring NASA's Mars Exploration Rover is available from our online.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Apollo 9 DVD
On the road to the moon, the mission of Apollo 9 stands as an important gateway in experience and procedures. This 2-DVD collection presents the crucial mission on the voyage to the moon.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide
MISSION STATUS CENTER

INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE
ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE

ADVERTISE

© 2009 Spaceflight Now Inc.