* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: NAVSTAR GPS 2R-16 (M3)

Blobrana · L

L plus 75 minutes

The satellite is going into transfer orbit with a high point of 10,998 nautical miles and low point of 104 nautical miles inclined 40 degrees. The satellite will eventually circularise its orbit and raise inclination to 55 degrees to join the GPS constellation.

Signal will be acquired by the Hawaii tracking station shortly.

Blobrana · L

T plus 68:01.7 GPS 2R-16 Separation
The U.S. Air Force's NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R-16 spacecraft has been deployed.
Losing signal from Guam.

-- Edited by Blobrana at 20:23, 2006-11-17

Blobrana · L

Blobrana · L

The GPS 2R-16 spacecraft will coast for about 1 hour 10 minutes before the second stage reignites.

Orbit confirmed by Antigua.

Orbit at 110 miles at apogee, 93 miles at perigee and inclined 37.5 degrees.

Blobrana · L

T plus 10:48 Second Stage Cutoff 1
The second stage engine shut down.

Orbit at 111 miles at apogee, 94 miles at perigee and inclined 37.5 degrees.

Blobrana · L

All systems nominal

Second Stage burn ok

Blobrana · L

T plus 04:23

Main Engine Cutoff

Blobrana · L

All systems nominal

Air-Lit SRM Ignition ok
Three remaining solid rocket motors ignited.

Blobrana · L

T plus 01:03 Ground SRM Burnout
The six ground-start strap-on Alliant TechSystems-built solid rocket motors have burned out.