Second Stage Engine Cutoff – Orion’s In Orbit
The second stage engine completed its first burn and Orion is in orbit now, on a path that is about 560 miles by 120 miles above Earth. There will be another burn by the Delta IV second stage to lift its orbit and then push it out 3,600 miles from Earth. For now, though, Orion begins a coast phase of about 97 minutes. The second stage will reignite at the 1 hour, 55 minute, 26 second point of the mission. The coast phase will allow flight controllers to continue evaluating telemetry coming down from the spacecraft and make sure Orion is healthy thus far in its mission.
Launch Images
15,000 Mph
Orion is soaring over Earth at 15,000 mph on its way to its preliminary orbit. The second stage engine will cut off in about four minutes.
Launch Abort System Jettisoned
The white tower and fairing over Orion fired its motors to pull away from Orion as planned. Operational missions carrying astronauts will use fully active versions of the LAS capable of firing quickly to pull the spacecraft and crew away from an emergency during ascent.
Service Module Fairings Separate During Climb to Orbit
Four panels that provided structural support through the early phases of launch have been jettisoned since they are no longer needed.
Second Stage Ignites as First Stage Falls Away
The RL-10B engine on the second stage is burning as planned to take over for the spent first stage. The engine will burn for 11 minutes, 50 seconds to place Orion in its initial orbit.
Booster Burnout and Jettison
The core stages to the left and right on the rocket burned through their propellants in less than four minutes and have fallen away. A single core stage is now powering Orion toward space. The second stage will take over in 93 seconds.
Mach 1
The Delta IV Heavy and Orion are supersonic and gaining speed and altitude as they zoom toward orbit.
Max Q
The Delta IV and Orion enter the area of maximum dynamic pressure – max q – when the aerodynamic forces of launch are at their greatest. All systems remain go.