H0 |
Main Engine Ignition |
The Vulcain 1 engine on the cryogenic main stage is started and undergoes computer checkout prior to launch. |
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H0+00:07.0 |
Solid Booster Ignition |
The twin-solid rocket boosters attached to the cryogenic main stage are lit. |
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H0+00:07.3 |
Launch |
The Ariane 5 rocket lifts off from ELA-3 complex at Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, South America, to begin its 17th launch. |
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H0+00:13 |
Start Pitch Maneuver |
Following a vertical ascent phase, the rocket begins a 10-second pitch rotation to achieve proper positioning for the climb through the atmosphere. |
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H0+00:17 |
Start Roll Maneuver |
The Ariane 5 rocket begins a planned roll maneuver to the proper launch trajectory, heading eastward away from South America. |
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H0+02:21 |
Booster Separation |
The solid-fuel rocket boosters have burned their propellant and are jettisoned to fall into the Atlantic Ocean. |
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H0+03:10 |
Jettison Payload Fairing |
The payload fairing that protected the satellite cargo during launch is separated once heating conditions allow.
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H0+09:51 |
Main Cryogenic Stage Extinction |
The Vulcain 1 main engine shuts down. Six seconds later, the spent main cryogenic stage separates to fall back to Earth. Predications indicate the stage will enter off the coast of South America in the mid-Pacific Ocean. |
H0+10:04 |
Storable Propellant Stage Ignition |
The storable propellant stage, the upper stage of Ariane 5, begins firing to deliver the three satellites into the planned deployment orbit. |
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H0+26:56 |
Storable Propellant Stage Shutdown |
After completing its long-duration burn, the storable propellant stage shuts down. The injection orbit for satellite payload is planned with a perigee altitude of 650 km, apogee altitude of 35,786 km and inclination of 7 degrees. |
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H0+29:01 |
Insat 3E Separation |
The Indian Insat 3E communications satellite is released from the Ariane 5 rocket's storable propellant stage. |
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H0+32:43 |
Sylda 5 Separation |
The barrel-shaped Sylda 5 payload adapter used to support two communications satellites launched by one Ariane 5 rocket is jettisoned. |
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H0+34:17 |
e-Bird Separation |
The e-Bird communications spacecraft for Eutelsat is ejected into orbit from the Ariane 5. |
H0+39:54 |
ACU + ACY Separation |
The payload adapter used to enclose the SMART 1 spacecraft beneath the two communications satellites is jettisoned. |
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H0+41:40 |
SMART 1 Separation |
The European Space Agency's SMART 1 technology demonstration satellite bound for the moon is deployed into space from the Ariane 5 rocket to complete the launch. |
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