Spaceflight Now



The Mission




Rocket: Pegasus XL
Payload: DART
Date: April 15, 2005
Window: 1721-1728 GMT (1:21-1:28 p.m. EDT)
Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Satellite feed: AMC 6, Transponder 9, C-band



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Pegasus airborne
The L-1011 aircraft takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base to carry the Pegasus rocket off coast of California for launch. (2min 10sec file)
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Launch of DART
An air-launched Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket soars to space carrying NASA's DART satellite to test autopilot technologies.
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Post-launch review
NASA Launch Manager Omar Baez provides his thoughts on the countdown and flight of Pegasus following the successful ascent to orbit by DART. (5min 48sec file)
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DART launch preps
This narrated collection of footage shows the DART spacecraft and Pegasus rocket being prepared for flight at Vandenberg. (6min 59sec file)
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DART mission update
NASA and Orbital Sciences officials provide an update on the DART technology demonstration mission and the lengthy delay to evaluate loads the satellite would experience during ascent, which postponed the launch from last November. (32min 17sec file)

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Launch of Expedition 11
The Russian Soyuz TMA-6 spacecraft is launched to put the International Space Station's Expedition 11 crew in Earth orbit.
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NASA's new boss
During his first day on the job, Michael Griffin, NASA's new administrator, addresses agency employees and answers questions on a variety of topics on April 14. (28min 50sec file)
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Post-fueling briefing
NASA managers hold a news conference following the shuttle fueling test to discuss details and results from the event. (27min 33sec file)
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Shuttle inspectors
An 8-person inspection team completes examinations of space shuttle Discovery and its external tank after fueling. (4min 46sec file)
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Fueling test starts
The launch team begins loading space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank as part of an engineering test and countdown rehearsal at pad 39B. (10min 28sec file)
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Shuttle external tank
Highlights of pre-flight work involving the redesigned external fuel tank for the space shuttle return to flight mission is packaged into this movie with narration. (6min 32sec file)
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BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus rocket with NASA's Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

Spaceflight Now Plus
Additional coverage for subscribers:
VIDEO: L-1011 CARRIER JET TAKES OFF FROM VANDENBERG QT
VIDEO: PEGASUS ROCKET LAUNCHES DART SHORT | FULL LENGTH
VIDEO: POST-LAUNCH COMMENTS FROM NASA MANAGER QT
VIDEO: NARRATED FOOTAGE OF PRE-FLIGHT CAMPAIGN QT
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