Updates Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity)

[Screamer7]

It looks like the trajectory will be over Africa. As I live in South Africa, I hope the Atlas Rocket works flawlesly. I don't want to worry about nuclear fallout over our country.:huh:

 

[Yoda]

everybody is go for launch

---------- Post added at 08:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 AM ----------

Beautiful HD picture on NASA TV

---------- Post added at 08:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 AM ----------

Maybe they can give Phobos Grunt a little nudge on their way up........ If my TV doesn't work I usually hit it and it works fine again :rofl:

 

[Screamer7]

I am also watching...............................

 

[orb]

T-4 minutes and counting.

GO Atlas! GO Centaur! GO MSL! :woohoo:


Here's a look at some stats about today's mission. This will be:

• The 610th launch for Atlas program since 1957
• The 322nd Atlas to occur from Cape Canaveral
• The 28th launch of an Atlas 5 since 2002
• The 24th Atlas 5 to occur from the Cape
• The 20th Atlas 5 under United Launch Alliance
• The 1st Atlas 5 to fly in the 541 configuration
• The 6th NASA launch on Atlas 5
• The 5th Atlas launch of 2011

 

[Axertan]

Good luck Curiosity! May the be with you!

 

[orb]

Liftoff!

 

[Spacethingy]

Wow that was quick. Good job I held on before making a coffee!

GO Atlas! GO Centaur! GO MSL! Cowabunga!

Give Grunty my regards.

 

[N_Molson]

On parking orbit. Time to make the difference with Phobos/Grunt !

 

[Scruce]

Mars Curiousity: Russian detector to help crack enigma (RussiaToday)
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W1HH3AP-AA&feature=feedu"]Mars Curiousity: Russian detector to help crack enigma - YouTube[/ame]

NASA's latest Mars mission takes off on Saturday carrying a huge array of high-tech tools. Critical to its success is a cutting-edge water detector built by Russian scientists.

 

[Screamer7]

Phew...it's in orbit. Hats off for the launch team. And for the Atlas rocket.

 

[N_Molson]

One of the big difference with P/G is that the stack communications data have been smoothly relayed by the TDRS, and that the flight engineers can keep an eye on it.

 

[Codz]

Did anyone else see it being assembled a few months ago?

 

[N_Molson]

SF now :

T+plus 25 minutes. All vehicle parameters still reported normal.

1528 GMT (10:28 a.m. EST)
T+plus 26 minutes. Now 5 minutes away from Centaur's engine restart.

 

[boogabooga]

What is PTC Roll?

 

[Yoda]

I'm just a little worried and critical about the whole "skycrane" thing; seems like there is many things that could go wrong with it and threaten the mission......

 

[N_Molson]

What is PTC Roll?

Passive Thermal Control. BBQ roll if you prefer.

---------- Post added at 03:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 PM ----------

Second burn started. :thumbup:

1534 GMT (10:34 a.m. EST)
T+plus 32 minutes, 40 seconds. Ignition! The Centaur's single RL10 engine has re-ignited to propel Mars Science Lab into its hyperbolic departure orbit.

1536 GMT (10:36 a.m. EST)
T+plus 34 minutes. The engine is burning well. This is a planned eight-minute firing by the Centaur's single Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10 engine.

1537 GMT (10:37 a.m. EST)
T+plus 35 minutes. This burn is occurring 100 nautical miles above Africa.

1538 GMT (10:38 a.m. EST)
T+plus 36 minutes, 10 seconds. Continued good engine operation is being delivered by the RL10.

1539 GMT (10:39 a.m. EST)
T+plus 37 minutes. The vehicle skirting just south of Madagascar now.

1539 GMT (10:39 a.m. EST)
T+plus 37 minutes, 55 seconds. Vehicle's current acceleration is 0.95 g's.

1540 GMT (10:40 a.m. EST)
T+plus 38 minutes, 5 seconds. About two minutes are left in the burn to reach MSL's planned escape velocity

1540 GMT (10:40 a.m. EST)
T+plus 38 minutes, 45 seconds. Engine performance remains normal.

1542 GMT (10:42 a.m. EST)
T+plus 40 minutes, 30 seconds. MECO 2. Main engine cutoff confirmed. Centaur has completed its second burn of the day, this one to give the final boost to propel the Curiosity rover out of Earth orbit.

 

[orb]

MECO2. Now awaiting spacecraft separation.


The precise liftoff time was 15:02:00.237 UTC / 10:02:00.237 a.m. EST.



Florida Today - The Flame Trench: Atlas V blasts off carrying Mars rover

RIA Novosti: NASA Mars rover lifts off

 

[orb]

Separation successful.

 

[N_Molson]

Separation !!! :thumbup:

Once again, the advantages of a live data/video system are obvious.

1546 GMT (10:46 a.m. EST)
T+plus 44 minutes, 12 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Centaur upper stage has deployed NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft on its voyage to deliver the Curiosity rover onto the surface of the red planet next August.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

S/C separation!