BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket with the U.S. military's Micro-Satellite Technology Experiment (MiTEx) spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2006

An experimental U.S. military project to characterize the performance of two micro-satellite trailblazers operating 22,300 miles above Earth and a prototype maneuvering motor for small spacecraft began with a beautiful blastoff from Cape Canaveral Wednesday evening. Read our full story.

2300 GMT (7:00 p.m. EDT)

Ground controllers have acquired communications from the MiTEx payload following its launch into orbit today. It remains to be seen what, if anything, the public will be told in the future about the Navy fourth stage maneuvers to reach geostationary orbit and the micro-satellite operations.

For now, this concludes our live play-by-play coverage of today's Delta rocket launch. Check back later tonight for a wrap-up story, pictures and movies of the launch.

2245 GMT (6:45 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 30 minutes, 45 seconds. PAYLOAD DEPLOY! The Micro-Satellite Technology Experiment payload has been released from the third stage to complete today's Boeing Delta 2 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral.

The third stage has deployed the MiTEx upper stage with its still-attached micro-satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Naval Research Laboratory-developed upper stage will ferry the two MiTEx satellites from this egg-shaped orbit to the circular geostationary orbit above the equator desired for the spacecraft. But that upper stage is considered part of the technology demonstrations of this military experiment, not the Delta rocket. So that wraps up the launch from the public's point of view.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is spearheading the MiTEx effort to evaluate the usefulness of small satellite technologies and the prototype upper stage to support future military programs.

2243 GMT (6:43 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 28 minutes. The third stage has targeted a highly elliptical geosynchronous transfer orbit. The plan was a high point of 19,558 nautical miles and low point of 100 nautical miles inclined 25.24 degrees to the equator. The actual-achieved orbit numbers aren't available yet.

2240 GMT (6:40 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 25 minutes, 36 seconds. The third stage has burned out of its solid fuel, ending the Delta 2 rocket's powered flight for the launch of MiTEx. Separation of the payload is about five minutes away.

2240 GMT (6:40 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 25 minutes, 15 seconds. Good chamber pressure on the third stage.

2240 GMT (6:40 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 25 minutes. The solid motor continues to burn.

2239 GMT (6:39 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 24 minutes, 16 seconds. Third stage is firing! The Thiokol Star 48B motor is firing to propel the MiTEx payload into its targeted orbit for this launch.

2238 GMT (6:38 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 23 minutes, 42 seconds. The solid-fueled third stage has spun up and separated.

As the launch sequence continues with the third stage burn and subsequent deployment of the Naval Research Lab's experimental upper stage with the MiTEx micro-satellites, the second stage will conduct one additional engine firing to deplete its remaining fuel supply and lower its orbital inclination. This is designed to minimize the amount of land that the stage flies over during its natural fall from orbit and future reentry.

2237 GMT (6:37 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 22 minutes, 55 seconds. SECO 2. The second stage has completed its second burn of this launch. In the next minute, tiny thrusters on the side of the rocket will be fired to spin up the third stage and payload in preparation for jettison of the second stage.

2237 GMT (6:37 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 22 minutes, 31 seconds. Live data is being received now. The second stage is burning its engine as planned.

2236 GMT (6:36 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 21 minutes, 45 seconds. Engineers at the Cape are awaiting data from the rocket via the downrange tracking assets. The second stage should be firing now.

2235 GMT (6:35 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 20 minutes, 30 seconds. The rocket is nearing the west coast of Africa. Second stage engine restart is about one minute away.

2231 GMT (6:31 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 16 minutes. As this coast phase of the launch continues, you can see a map of the rocket's planned track here.

2229 GMT (6:29 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 14 minutes. The rocket has successfully achieved a parking orbit with an apogee of 132.97 nautical miles, perigee of 89.96 miles and inclination of 28.4 degrees. That is right on the pre-planned orbit parameters.

2227 GMT (6:27 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 12 minutes, 30 seconds. Restart of second stage engine is expected at about T+plus 21 minutes, 35 seconds. The stage will fire for 73 seconds to raise the orbit's high point. That will be followed by separation between the second and third stages. The upper stage will burn to inject payload into the intended geosunchronous transfer orbit. Deployment of the payload to complete the launch is expected at about T+plus 30 minutes.

2225 GMT (6:25 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 10 minutes, 33 seconds. SECO 1. The second stage engine cutoff has occurred, completing the motor's first firing of the day. The Delta 2 rocket with MiTEx has arrived in a preliminary orbit around Earth following launch today from Cape Canaveral. The vehicle will coast for the next 11 minutes before the second stage is re-ignited to raise the orbit higher.

2224 GMT (6:24 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 9 minutes, 30 seconds. About a minute-and-a-half left in this burn.

2223 GMT (6:23 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 8 minutes. The second stage engine is still firing, consuming a hydrazine propellant mixture and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer. This burn is needed to achieve a parking orbit around Earth.

2222 GMT (6:22 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 7 minutes, 25 seconds. Communications with the Delta rocket have been established through the Air Force's downrange tracking station on Antigua Island. The vehicle is 90 miles in altitude and traveling at 14,000 mph.

2221 GMT (6:21 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 6 minutes, 10 seconds. The Delta 2 rocket is 83 miles in altitude.

2220 GMT (6:20 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The second stage is firing as planned.

2220 GMT (6:20 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 5 minutes, 4 seconds. The rocket's nose cone enclosing the spacecraft has been jettisoned.

2219 GMT (6:19 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes, 47 seconds. The Delta's second stage engine has ignited!

2219 GMT (6:19 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes, 40 seconds. The spent stage has been jettisoned.

2219 GMT (6:19 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes, 32 seconds. MECO. The first stage main engine cutoff is confirmed.

2219 GMT (6:19 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes. Velocity over 10,000 mph now. Coming up on first stage engine cutoff.

2218 GMT (6:18 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 3 minutes, 28 seconds. The vehicle continues to fly down the proper trajectory.

2217 GMT (6:17 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 2 minutes, 55 seconds. The rocket 36 miles in altitude, 118 miles east of the launch pad and traveling at 6,500 miles per hour.

2217 GMT (6:17 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 2 minutes, 20 seconds. The three air-ignited solid rocket boosters have burned out and separated. The rocket is now flying solely on the power generated by the liquid-fueled first stage main engine.

2216 GMT (6:16 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 minute, 40 seconds. The rocket is 14 miles in altitude, 35 miles downrange and traveling at 3,300 miles per hour.

2216 GMT (6:16 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 minute, 10 seconds. All six ground-start solid rocket boosters have burned out of propellant and separated from the Delta 2's first stage. A moment before the jettison occurred, the three remaining motors strapped to rocket ignited to continue assisting the rocket's RS-27A main engine on the push to space.

2215 GMT (6:15 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 55 seconds. The Delta 2 rocket has passed through the region of maximum aerodynamic pressure during its climb through the dense lower atmosphere.

2215 GMT (6:15 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 37 seconds. The vehicle has broken the sound barrier on its half-hour ascent to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

2215 GMT (6:15 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 30 seconds. The six solid rocket motors ignited on the launch pad have surpassed their period of maximum thrust. Each of the Alliant Techsystems-made boosters generate roughly 100,000 pounds of thrust.

2215 GMT (6:15 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 20 seconds. Delta 316 has cleared the launch pad tower and pitched to the proper heading. The main engine and six ground-lit solid rocket boosters are generating about 789,000 pounds of thrust to propel the vehicle on its eastward trajectory from the Cape Canaveral's coastline.

2215 GMT (6:15 p.m. EDT)

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Micro-Satellite Technology Experiment -- testing advanced concepts to prepare for future missions in space.

2214 GMT (6:14 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 30 seconds. SRB ignitors will be armed at T-minus 11 seconds.

The launch ignition sequence will begin in the final two seconds of the countdown when a Boeing engineer pushes the engine start switch. The process begins with ignition of the two vernier engines and first stage main engine start. The six ground-lit solid rocket motors then light at T-0 for liftoff.

2214 GMT (6:14 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 1 minute. The Delta 2 rocket's second stage hydraulic pump has gone to internal power after its pressures were verified acceptable.

2213 GMT (6:13 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 70 seconds. The Range has given its final clear-to-launch.

2213 GMT (6:13 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 80 seconds. LOX topping to 100 percent is underway.

2213 GMT (6:13 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 2 minutes. Pressurization of the first stage liquid oxygen is now beginning. Puffs of vapor from a relief valve on the rocket will be seen in the remainder of the countdown as the tank pressure stabilizes.

2212 GMT (6:12 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 2 minutes, 25 seconds. The MiTEx team reports the spacecraft are go!

2212 GMT (6:12 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 3 minutes and counting. The rocket's third stage safe and arm devices are being armed.

2211 GMT (6:11 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 3 minutes, 45 seconds. The Delta 2 rocket's systems are now transferring to internal power for launch.

2211 GMT (6:11 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 3 minutes, 55 seconds. The payload is undergoing final configuring for launch.

2211 GMT (6:11 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 4 minutes and counting! The final phase of the countdown is underway for launch of the Delta 2 rocket and the MiTEx military experiment mission at 6:15 p.m. EDT from pad 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

2210 GMT (6:10 p.m. EDT)

Now five minutes from launch! Standing by for release of the hold in one minute.

2209 GMT (6:09 p.m. EDT)

Boeing flight director Rick Navarro has completed his poll. Everything is ready for liftoff at 6:15 p.m.

2208 GMT (6:08 p.m. EDT)

The Air Force management poll has been conducted successfully. Liftoff is now 7 minutes away.

2206 GMT (6:06 p.m. EDT)

The Boeing launch conductor has polled the team for a "go" to proceed with the countdown. No problems were reported. The team is now receiving final instructions on countdown procedures.

2205 GMT (6:05 p.m. EDT)

Standing by for the launch team readiness polling.

2158 GMT (5:58 p.m. EDT)

The 6:15 p.m. target launch time has been approved.

2154 GMT (5:54 p.m. EDT)

NEW LAUNCH TIME. The new "proposed" launch time is 6:15 p.m. EDT, the team has been told.

2152 GMT (5:52 p.m. EDT)

Boeing reports the launch window cutoff will be 6:41 p.m. EDT, based on the first stage liquid oxygen constrait as described below in our 3:45 p.m. EDT update. Officials had said they would have to commit to a 60-minute period for launch within today's overall four-hour available period once liquid oxygen loading began. But obviously the team has gained a few extra minutes today, extending the window's close time from 6:34 to 6:41 p.m.

The bottom line, a Boeing spokesman says, the Delta must lift off by 6:41 p.m. EDT or else wait until tomorrow.

2150 GMT (5:50 p.m. EDT)

Hold extended again! The Range has requested another 10 minutes. We're awaiting an official new launch time.

2147 GMT (5:47 p.m. EDT)

Range choppers are doing another sweep of the restricted waters off the coast of Cape Canaveral to ensure the public's safety before the Delta rocket is cleared to launch.

2146 GMT (5:46 p.m. EDT)

Polling of the launch team will begin in about five minutes. Clocks will resume at 5:57 p.m.

2146 GMT (5:46 p.m. EDT)

NEW LAUNCH TIME. Liftoff of the Delta rocket is now scheduled for 6:01 p.m. EDT.

2140 GMT (5:40 p.m. EDT)

Resolution of the payload problem is nearing, Boeing says. A new launch time is being discussed.

2129 GMT (5:29 p.m. EDT)

A Boeing spokesman says the delay could be 30-35 minutes.

2128 GMT (5:28 p.m. EDT)

An Air Force spokesman at the press site says the problem is with a heater on one of the MiTEx micro-satellites.

2127 GMT (5:27 p.m. EDT)

It appears the issue that is delaying liftoff past 5:34 p.m. involves one of the MiTEx micro-satellites. There is no estimate on how long this extra hold in the countdown will last. Clocks remain paused at T-minus 4 minutes pending resolution of the concern.

2124 GMT (5:24 p.m. EDT)

Apparently an issue has arisen that will prevent an on-time launch today. The countdown will not resume ticking at 5:30 p.m. as planned. A new launch time has not been established yet.

2123 GMT (5:23 p.m. EDT)

Hold extended!

2122 GMT (5:22 p.m. EDT)

Time to launch now 12 minutes.

2120 GMT (5:20 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the final planned hold point for today's launch attempt. During this planned 10-minute hold, officials will poll the various team members in the soft blockhouse, Range Operations Control Center and Mission Directors Center. If all systems are "go," the countdown will resume for liftoff at 5:34 p.m. EDT (2134 GMT).

2118 GMT (5:18 p.m. EDT)

The Air Force launch weather officer says conditions are "go" for liftoff.

2117 GMT (5:17 p.m. EDT)

The liquid oxygen tank is topping off to 100 percent.

2116 GMT (5:16 p.m. EDT)

The first stage kerosene fuel tank is being pressurized for launch.

2114 GMT (5:14 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 10 minutes and counting. Clocks are nearing the planned 10-minute built-in hold at the T-minus 4 minute mark.

2109 GMT (5:09 p.m. EDT)

The RF link tests between the Range and rocket are beginning.

2106 GMT (5:06 p.m. EDT)

The first stage engine steering checks are complete.

2104 GMT (5:04 p.m. EDT)

Thirty minutes and counting to launch of the Delta rocket and MiTEx.

2103 GMT (5:03 p.m. EDT)

The second stage engine slews are complete. First stage tests have begun.

2101 GMT (5:01 p.m. EDT)

The launch team is beginning the steering tests of the first and second stage engines. These are gimbal checks of the nozzles on the first stage main engine and twin vernier engines and second stage engine to ensure the rocket will be able to steer itself during launch.

2056 GMT (4:56 p.m. EDT)

Over the next few minutes, the "slew" or steering checks of the first and second stage engines will be performed.

2054 GMT (4:54 p.m. EDT)

The Air Force launch weather officer just reported to the management team that all conditions remain favorable. There is only a 10 percent chance of an unacceptable cumulus cloud moving within 10 miles of the pad and delaying the launch.

2052 GMT (4:52 p.m. EDT)

The Range checks have been completed. Data analysis is underway.

2049 GMT (4:49 p.m. EDT)

Now 45 minutes from launch.

2048 GMT (4:48 p.m. EDT)

Inhibited checks are now beginning for the Range Safety command destruct receivers that would be used in destroying the Delta rocket should the vehicle veer off course and malfunction during the launch.

2044 GMT (4:44 p.m. EDT)

Coming up in the countdown will be Range Safety system checks and engine steering tests for the Delta 2 launch vehicle.

2037 GMT (4:37 p.m. EDT)

Loading of the Delta 2 rocket's first stage liquid oxygen tank has been completed. The operation took 26 minutes and 52 seconds today. The tank will be replenished through the countdown to replace the supercold liquid oxygen that naturally boils away.

The rocket is now fully fueled for liftoff less than an hour from now. The vehicle's first stage was successfully loaded with RP-1 kerosene fuel along with the liquid oxygen over the past hour. The second stage was filled with its storable nitrogen tetroxide and Aerozine 50 fuels a few days ago. The nine strap-on booster rockets and third stage use solid propellants.

2030 GMT (4:30 p.m. EDT)

Now passing the 20-minute mark of this approximate 25-minute cryogenic tanking process for the Delta rocket's first stage.

Once the liquid oxygen tank reaches the 95 percent full level, the "rapid load" valve will be closed and the slower "fine load" phase will continue to fill the tank.

2027 GMT (4:27 p.m. EDT)

The bottom of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket is icing over as the supercold liquid oxygen continues to flow into the first stage.

2024 GMT (4:24 p.m. EDT)

The countdown is entering the final 70 minutes to launch.

2018 GMT (4:18 p.m. EDT)

Now 8 minutes into liquid oxygen loading.

2012 GMT (4:12 p.m. EDT)

Bright white vapor is streaming from a vent port on the side of the Delta rocket as liquid oxygen filling gets underway right on time.

2010 GMT (4:10 p.m. EDT)

Cryogenic liquid oxygen, chilled to Minus-298 degrees F, has started flowing from the storage reservoir at Complex 17, through plumbing and into the bottom of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket. The LOX will be consumed by the first stage main engine during the first four-and-a-half minutes of flight along with the 10,000 gallons of RP-1 kerosene already loaded aboard the vehicle.

2006 GMT (4:06 p.m. EDT)

The official "go" has been issued to the launch team for liquid oxygen loading. Liftoff will be targeted for the first hour of today's window, as explained below in our 1945 GMT (3:45 p.m. EDT) update.

2005 GMT (4:05 p.m. EDT)

The launch team has been instructed to begin preps for loading the first stage liquid oxygen tank as planned.

1952 GMT (3:52 p.m. EDT)

The launch weather officer has completed his briefing to the management team in advance of loading liquid oxygen into the Delta 2 rocket's first stage. All conditions are acceptable at this time and the odds for acceptable weather during the window has improved to a 90 percent chance.

The launch time forecast is predicting partly cloudy skies, unrestricted visibility, winds in the 10-15 knot range from the east and a temperature around 83 degrees F. Clouds are the only slight concern for the launch.

1945 GMT (3:45 p.m. EDT)

Today's available launch window extends four hours, an exceptionally lengthy period to get the rocket airborne. However, the usable portion of the window shrinks to 60 minutes once the liquid oxygen loading process begins.

"We get approximately 60 minutes. We'll get the best 60 out of that four-hour window. But the decision is made once we start flowing liquid oxygen into the vehicle," Boeing flight director Rick Navarro explained in an interview yesterday.

"We will have a weather briefing just before loading liquid oxygen and we'll also look at all of the mission issues. If we aren't working anything related to weather or technical issues, then we'll target the first hour of that four-hour window."

Liquid oxygen is scheduled to start flowing shortly after 4 p.m. in preparation for liftoff at 5:34 p.m. That would result in the window stretching to roughly 6:34 p.m., given the limiting factors involved.

1938 GMT (3:38 p.m. EDT)

The first stage fuel tank of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket has been fully loaded for today's planned 5:34 p.m. EDT launch. The tank was filled with a highly refined kerosene, called RP-1, during a 19-minute, 40-second process that concluded at 3:38:34 p.m.

The next major task in the count will be loading super-cold cryogenic liquid oxygen into the first stage starting in a half-hour or so.

1936 GMT (3:36 p.m. EDT)

Rapid-loading of the RP-1 tank has concluded with 9,800 gallons pumped to the rocket. Fine load is continuing.

1932 GMT (3:32 p.m. EDT)

Passing the 8,000-gallon mark.

1930 GMT (3:30 p.m. EDT)

The launch team has computed that the full load for the first stage fuel tank is 9,989 gallons.

Once the tank is filled to 98 percent or 9,800 gallons, the "rapid load" valve will be closed and the slower "fine load" phase will continue to top off the tank.

1928 GMT (3:28 p.m. EDT)

Now 10 minutes through this 20-minute process to load the rocket's first stage with kerosene fuel. Some 6,000 gallons have been loaded to this point.

The propellant will be used along with liquid oxygen -- to be pumped into the rocket a little later -- by the first stage Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and twin vernier steering thrusters during the initial four-and-a-half minutes of flight.

1922 GMT (3:22 p.m. EDT)

About 2,000 gallons are aboard the first stage fuel tank now.

1918 GMT (3:18 p.m. EDT)

Fueling of the Delta 2 rocket's first stage has begun for today's launch. About 10,000 gallons of the kerosene propellant, called RP-1, are being pumped into the base of the rocket from storage tanks at pad 17A.

1914 GMT (3:14 p.m. EDT)

Preparations for loading the Delta 2 rocket's first stage RP-1 fuel tank are beginning. After verifying valves, sensors, flow meters and equipment are ready, the highly-refined kerosene fuel will start flowing into the vehicle a few minutes from now.

1912 GMT (3:12 p.m. EDT)

First stage pressurization is complete.

1857 GMT (2:57 p.m. EDT)

Activation of the rocket's Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly guidance computer is beginning now. Also, the launch team is starting pressurization steps for the first and second stage helium and nitrogen systems and second stage fuel tanks.

1854 GMT (2:54 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 150 minutes and counting. The Terminal Countdown is now underway for today's launch of the Delta 2 rocket and the Micro-Satellite Technology Experiment satellite. The next couple of hours will be spent fueling the rocket, activating systems and performing final testing before liftoff at 5:34 p.m. EDT (2134 GMT) from pad 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

The Complex 17 area is verified cleared of workers. A warning horn will be sounded three times at the seaside complex as a precaution to alert any remaining personnel in the vicinity that they should leave immediately.

The pad clear status will allow the start of hazardous operations such as the pressurization of helium and nitrogen storage tanks inside the rocket's first and second stages, along with the second stage fuel and oxidizer tanks.

The countdown currently stands at T-minus 150 minutes. However, there is one planned hold lasting 10 minutes in duration at T-minus 4 minutes.

1845 GMT (2:45 p.m. EDT)

The launch team members have been polled to ensure all console stations are manned and ready to resume the countdown as planned at the end of this hold. No issues were reported. Clocks will start ticking again at 2:54 p.m. EDT as the Terminal Countdown begins.

1834 GMT (2:34 p.m. EDT)

Now 40 minutes through this scheduled hour-long hold in the countdown. Readiness polling of the launch team is coming up shortly.

1754 GMT (1:54 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 150 minutes and holding. Clocks are entering a planned 60-minute built-in hold in the countdown. Holds are scheduled into the count to give workers a chance to catch up on any activities that may be running behind.

Over the next hour, all launch team members and management officials will be seated at their consoles. A series of polls will be conducted to verify everyone is ready to enter Terminal Count at end of the built-in hold.

Liftoff of the Delta 2 rocket remains scheduled for 5:34 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Read our earlier status center coverage.