Titan 4B launch timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: August 18, 2003

Data source: U.S. Air Force.

T+0:00:00 Liftoff
The twin Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade (SRMU) boosters are ignited and the Titan 4B rocket launches from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
T+0:02:11 Stage 1 Ignition
The Titan 4B rocket's core vehicle stage 1 engine package -- the Aerojet LR87-AJ-11 -- is ignited. The liquid-propellant powerplant burns Aerozine-50 fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer.
T+0:02:26 SRMU Separation
Having consumed all their solid-propellant, the two Alliant Techsystems-built solid rocket boosters are jettisoned to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.
T+0:03:30 Jettison Payload Fairing
The 86-foot long tri-sector payload fairing buit by Boeing that protected the classified satellite cargo during launch is separated once heating levels drop to predetermined limits.
T+0:05:23 Staging of Titan Core
The first stage engine shuts down and the second stage Aerojet LR91-AJ-11 engine is ignited. The spent first stage is jettisoned from the rest of the space-bound rocket a moment after the second stage is started.
T+0:09:19 Stage 2 Shutdown
The liquid-fueled second stage engine completes its firing and begins a momentary coast period before deployment of the upper stage and classified payload.
T+0:09:28 Titan/Centaur Separation
The Lockheed Martin-built Centaur upper stage is released from the Titan rocket's core vehicle, which has completed its role in the launch.
T+0:09:49 Centaur Burn 1
The liquid-fueled Centaur stage is ignited for the first of three firings needed to deliver the classified payload into the desired orbit.
T+0:12:00 Centaur Cutoff 1
The Centaur completes its first burn. The specific orbital details of the launch are classified.
T+0:21:52 Centaur Burn 2
After a coast period through space, the Centaur stage is restarted for the second of its three planned firings.
T+0:27:05 Centaur Cutoff 2
The Centaur engines are shut down following the firing. Again, the orbit targeted at the completion of this burn is not available.
T+5:39:xx Centaur Burn 3
Following a lengthy coast, the Centaur engines are again reignited to propel the classified cargo into the desired deployment orbit.
T+5:41:xx Centaur Cutoff 3
Shut down of the Centaur engines occur to complete the powered phase of this launch. The stage now prepares to release the satellite. Centaur will later perform a collision avoidance maneuver, propellant blowdown and hydrazine depletion after spacecraft separation.
T+5:49:xx Spacecraft Separation
The secret payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office is deployed into space from the Centaur upper stage to complete the Titan B-36 launch.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Titan 4B (B-36)
Payload: Classified
Launch date: Sept. 8, 2003
Launch period: 7:45 p.m. to 3:45 a.m. EDT (2345-0745 GMT)
Launch site: Complex 40, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Satellite broadcast: None

Pre-launch briefing
Launch timeline - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch.

Weather forecast - The latest forecast for launch day conditions.

Launch hazard area - A map of the restricted area during liftoff.

Titan 4B - Description of rocket being used in this launch.

Titan 4 history - Chart with listing of previous Titan 4 flights.

Titan 4 directory - See our coverage of previous Titan 4 rocket flights.


Soviet Space
For the first time ever available in the West. Rocket & Space Corporation Energia: a complete pictorial history of the Soviet/Russian Space Program from 1946 to the present day all in full color. Available from our store.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Viking patch
This embroidered mission patch celebrates NASA's Viking Project which reached the Red Planet in 1976.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Apollo 7 DVD
For 11 days the crew of Apollo 7 fought colds while they put the Apollo spacecraft through a workout, establishing confidence in the machine what would lead directly to the bold decision to send Apollo 8 to the moon just 2 months later.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Gemini 12
Gemini 12: The NASA Mission Reports covers the voyage of James Lovell and Buzz Aldrin that capped the Gemini program's efforts to prove the technologies and techniques that would be needed for the Apollo Moon landings. Includes CD-ROM.
 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.