The Centaur continues to push the Cygnus spacecraft higher and faster. The two are moving faster than 10,000 mph and are more than 205 miles above the planet. They are more than 1,000 miles downrange of the Florida spaceport.
21 Minutes to Orbit
The launch phase, which is going very smoothly, will take 21 minutes to complete. An hour and half after launch, commands will be given to deploy the Cygnus spacecraft’s UltraFlex solar arrays that will recharge the batteries.
‘Right Down the Middle’
United Launch Alliance reports the Atlas V and Cygnus spacecraft are flying ‘right down the middle” of their course.
First Stage Separates, Centaur Ignites
The Centaur upper stage has taken over after the first stage burned through its propellants and fell away.
31 Miles and Climbing, 4,649+ Mph
The Atlas V is climbing fast to put Cygnus on its proper orbit. 31 miles, 4,649 mph. The booster will maintain a 3.5-G load on the vehicle during the climb into space.
Mach 1
The Atlas V and Cygnus have broken the sound barrier and are passing through the area of maximum dynamic pressure.
Atlas V Lights up Night Sky!
The 933,000-pound-thrust engine of the Atlas V has illuminated the Florida coast tonight as it lifts the Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station!. All systems go!
LIFTOFF! Cygnus is on it way to Orbit!
The Cygnus spacecraft is on its way!
T-1 Minute
T-1 minute and counting.
Atlas V on Internal Power
The batteries aboard the Atlas V are now running the rocket’s systems.