The payload fairing that protected Cygnus through the upper atmosphere has been jettisoned as planned.
Author: Steven Siceloff
Centaur Engine Start
The Centaur’s upper stage has ignited for a 13.5-minute burn to place Cygnus in its proper orbit to catch the International Space Station. Rocket is now 332 miles from the launch site.
First Stage Engine Cutoff
The RD-180 engine that lifted the Atlas V rocket and Cygnus spacecraft off the launch pad has spent its fueled and shutdown. The stage will separate so the Centaur upper stage can take over.
Atlas V Now Weighs Less Than Half of Liftoff
28 miles above Earth, the Atlas V is burning about 1,350 pounds of propellant a second, enough that it weighs less than half what it did at launch.
Through Max-Q
The Atlas V has passed through the region of maximum dynamic pressure. It continues to pick up speed, now at 1,876 mph.
Mach 1
All systems go as Atlas V climbs toward space!
LIFTOFF!!
The Atlas V has cleared the tower and the S.S. Deke Slayton II Cygnus spacecraft is heading into space loaded with more than 7,000 pounds of science equipment and cargo for the International Space Station!
T-1 Minute and Counting
No technical problems, weather green. Atlas V and Centaur upper stage on internal power. Propellant tanks and pumps secured for flight. All systems go for launch!
T-4 Minutes and Counting
We are proceeding toward liftoff at 4:44 p.m. EST. The Atlas V rocket and Centaur upper stage will move to internal power momentarily.
Go for Launch!
The launch teams have been polled and confirm everything is set for liftoff at 4:44 p.m. EST. At Space Launch Complex 41, the Atlas V rocket and Cygnus spacecraft stand fueled and ready for launch in five minutes.