First Centaur Main Engine Cutoff

Solar Orbiter graphicThe first burn of the Centaur upper stage is complete and the vehicle has entered a coast phase of about half an hour.

At the conclusion of the coast phase, the Centaur’s engine will ignite again for an approximately seven-minute burn, followed by another short coast. Separation of the Solar Orbiter spacecraft from the Centaur is expected at about 11:55 p.m. EST.