Update for 5:11 a.m. EDT
FLORIDA TODAY Space Online
Delta/Globalstar-4 Launch Journal
From countdown through spacecraft separation this page will keep you informed with the
latest on the flight of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying four Globalstar communications
satellites. These updates are prepared by Space Online's Justin Ray.
For complete stories, images and multimedia files from FLORIDA TODAY, as well as
official news releases, see our Space Today page.
Thursday, July 8, 1999
Update for 5:11 a.m. EDT
SCRUB. The final weather balloon data has found continued unacceptable upper
level wind conditions. So Boeing officials have announced today's launch of the
Delta 2 rocket is scrubbed. Launch has been tentatively rescheduled for Friday
during one of two available windows: 5:01:38 to 5:04:38 a.m. EDT or 8:01:08 to
8:04:08 a.m. EDT.
Update for 5:06 a.m. EDT
Boeing officials have just announced they are now shooting for a launch time of
5:20:09 a.m. EDT, which is the last second in which to launch today. The delay
from the opening of the window will give a few more minutes to wait for upper
level winds to come within acceptable limits.
Today's launch window actually extends until 5:20:37 a.m.. However, the final few
seconds are blacked out due to a COLA, or collision avoidance period.
Update for 5:03:37 a.m. EDT
T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown is now holding at T-minus 4
minutes. During this 10-minute hold, the launch team can catch up on any work
that could be running behind schedule. In addition, officials will perform readiness
polls to check the posture of the countdown. Launch remains scheduled for
5:17:37 a.m. EDT.
Officials are awaiting the next weather balloon to determine if there has been an
improvement in the upper level wind conditions, which are currently "no go" for
launch.
Update for 5:01:37 a.m. EDT
T-minus 6 minutes. The facility water tanks are being pressurized at this time.
For these Globalstar launches, Boeing uses a model 7420-10 Delta 2 rocket. The
expendable launch vehicle consists of two stages, four strap-on solid rocket
boosters and a 10-foot diameter payload fairing. The rocket stands 126 feet tall.
The rocket's first stage is powered by the liquid-fueled RS-27A main engine built
by Rocketdyne, a division of Boeing. The engine will fire for the first 4 minutes, 24
seconds of flight, consuming the RP-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen loaded aboard
the rocket this morning. The first stage also features four Alliant Techsystems
solid-propellant thrust augmentation motors. They will be ignited at liftoff and burn
for 63 seconds. The spent casings will then separate four seconds later to fall into
the Atlantic Ocean.
Some 4 minutes, 32 seconds after liftoff, the first stage will be jettisoned and the
second stage will take over. The Aerojet AJ10-118K engine will ignite for the first
time at T+plus 4 minutes, 37.5 seconds, beginning 6-minute, 41-second firing. The
engine burns Aerozine-50 fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer. The payload fairing
will be jettisoned 4 minutes, 47 seconds into flight. Following the cutoff of the
second stage engine, the stage and Globalstar spacecraft will coast half-way
around the world before another firing will occur. That 27-second burn, southwest
of Australia, will deliver stage into the proper orbit to begin deployment of the
satellites.
Update for 4:57:37 a.m. EDT
T-minus 10 minutes. The first stage RP-1 fuel tank is now being pressurized for
launch. The tank is situated atop the liquid oxygen tank aboard the Delta 2 rocket.
The RP-1 fuel is pumped into the RS-27A main engine through a feed line which
runs through the LOX tank.
Clocks continue counting down to T-minus 4 minutes for the planned 10-minute
built-in hold. Launch is still scheduled for 5:17:37 a.m. EDT, the opening of a
three-minute window today.
The Range destruct system checks have been completed with no problems
reported.
Update for 4:56 a.m. EDT
The latest balloon data on upper level winds continues to show unacceptable
conditions for launch. Winds are now out of limits between 20,000 and 52,000
feet. Officials say the winds are at 104 percent for structural loads on the rocket,
which means the winds are 4 percent above the allowable threshold for a safe
launch.
Update for 4:55 a.m. EDT
Checks are now under way of the Range Safety command destruct receivers that
would be used to destroy the Delta rocket should a problem arise during the
launch.
Update for 4:47:37 a.m. EDT
T-minus 20 minutes and counting. The countdown has resumed on schedule
following the 20-minute built-in hold. There are no technical problems being
worked with the Delta 2 rocket. However, upper level winds are currently
unacceptable between the 42,000 to 50,000 foot region. Another weather balloon
is currently rising to altitude to gather the latest data on the winds. Launch remains
on target for 5:17:37 a.m. EDT. And just a reminder, since officials decided to
load the rocket's first stage with liquid oxygen earlier, that does preclude an
attempt during today's second launch window. The Delta 2 rocket can only launch
in the three-minute window opening at 5:17:37 a.m. today, or else face a one-day
delay.
The Delta 2 rocket is carrying four Globalstar satellites. The Globalstar system is a
telecommunications network designed to provide wireless services through the use
of 48 satellites orbiting above Earth. Subscribers worldwide will be capable of
voice, data, fax and messaging transmissions. According to Globalstar, customers
will make or receive calls using hand-held or vehicle mounted terminals similar to
today's cellular phones. The calls will be relayed through Globalstar's satellite fleet,
to a groundstation and then through local terrestrial wireline and wireless systems
to their end destinations. The satellites can reach as far north as 70 degrees North
or as far south as 70 degrees South, covering virtually all the populated areas of
the planet.
The space-based satellite network will ultimately feature eight separate orbital
planes with six spacecraft in each. Four additional satellites will be launched to
serve as on-orbit spares. The satellites will circle above the Earth in orbits 750
nautical miles high, inclined 52 degrees to either side of equator. The
trapezoidal-shaped spacecraft are three-axis stabilized with two deployable solar
arrays and a deployable magnetometer. Engineers expect each bird to operate at
least 7 1/2 years.
Update for 4:44 a.m. EDT
A poll has been conducted to verify all parties are ready to continue with the
countdown to launch today. No technical issues were announced.
Update for 4:37 a.m. EDT
Now half-way through this built-in hold at T-minus 20 minutes. There are no
technical problems being worked. However, upper level winds are currently
unacceptable for launch. Additional wind measurements will be made as the
countdown continues in hopes the conditions will improve.
Upper level wind conditions are measured by weather balloons. Weather balloons
provide a snapshot in time of high altitude wind conditions. Since the winds can
change constantly, the balloons are periodically released to monitor the speed and
direction of the winds at various altitudes. The data is given to engineers at
Boeing's Huntington Beach, Calif. facility to formulate a flight path through the
winds that would be within the structural and performance limits of the Delta 2
rocket. That program is then loaded aboard the rocket's guidance computer.
Update for 4:27:37 a.m. EDT
T-minus 20 minutes and holding. Countdown clocks have entered the planned
built-in hold at T-minus 20 minutes. This is a planned 20-minute hold. One
additional hold is scheduled for T-minus 4 minutes. Activities remain on schedule
for launch at 5:17:37 a.m. EDT.
Update for 4:22 a.m. EDT
Steering checks of the first and second stage engine nozzles are under way.
Update for 4:17:37 a.m. EDT
T-minus 30 minutes and counting. The countdown marches on at Cape
Canaveral Air Station for this morning's predawn launch of a Boeing Delta 2
rocket. Liftoff is now one hour away. Countdown clocks are proceeding toward
T-minus 20 minutes where a 20-minute hold is planned. One further hold, for 10
minutes, is scheduled at T-minus 4 minutes.
Launch officials are tracking one problem at this time. Upper level winds have
been found to be outside acceptable limits. The latest wind data indicates the
winds exceed the allowable structural loads the Delta 2 rocket can experience
during launch. Additional weather balloons will be released over the next hour in
hopes of finding improved wind conditions.
Update for 3:59:25 a.m. EDT
Loading of super-chilled liquid oxygen into the first stage of the Delta 2 rocket has
been completed to 100 percent. LOX tanking took 25 minutes and 25 seconds
today.
But given its highly cold temperature, the oxygen will naturally boil away as the
countdown continues over the next 78 minutes before launch. As a result, the
launch team will maintain the tank at the 95 percent level during the countdown.
They will then replenish, or "top off", the rocket's supply of liquid oxygen to ensure
a proper level for flight.
The Delta 2 rocket is now fully fueled for launch. The first stage was loaded with
RP-1 fuel, a highly refined kerosene, last night. The second stage's storable
propellants of Aerozine-50 fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer were pumped
aboard earlier in the week.
Update for 3:44 a.m. EDT
Now ten minutes into liquid oxygen tanking.
Update for 3:34 a.m. EDT
First stage liquid oxygen loading began at 3:34:00 a.m. EDT. Launch is now
officially scheduled for the first window today: 5:17:37 to 5:20:37 a.m. EDT.
Update for 3:32 a.m. EDT
T-minus 75 minutes and counting. The go has been given to begin loading liquid
oxygen into the Delta 2 rocket's first stage.
Update for 3:30 a.m. EDT
Boeing has made the decision to proceed with the countdown to support a launch
today at 5:17:37 a.m. EDT. Loading of liquid oxygen into the rocket's first stage
will begin shortly. Officials decided to go with the first of two possible windows
today because there are no technical problems being worked and a favorable
weather forecast was given by Air Force meteorologists. Since liquid oxygen can
remain aboard the rocket for a restricted amount of time, the launch team could
only select one of today's two windows.
Update for 3:18 a.m. EDT
The launch team just reported the Delta 2 rocket's guidance system, called the
Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly, or RIFCA, has been turned on for
launch.
Update for 3:14 a.m. EDT
Air Force Launch Weather Officer Joel Tumbiolo just gave a briefing to Boeing
Mission Director Rich Murphy on the weather forecast for this morning's launch
attempt. All weather conditions are currently acceptable and the forecast looks
favorable. In addition, Tumbiolo said the Air Force weather team recommends
proceeding towards the first launch window today, which will open at 5:17:37
a.m. EDT.
The main weather system in the Florida region is an upper level low pressure
system currently located off the coast of Tampa. The system produced lightning
over Tampa last night. The concern for the Cape Canaveral launch site is an area
of mid- and upper-level clouds that is currently over South Florida and could
move this way. Overall, there is an 80 percent chance of meeting the launch
weather rules today.
Update for 2:47 a.m. EDT
T-minus 120 minutes and counting. Activities are continuing this morning to turn
on the Delta 2 rocket's guidance system for launch. The countdown is still ticking
smoothly. The next big event will be a weather briefing at the T-minus 95 minute
mark. Launch remains scheduled for 5:17:37 a.m. EDT.
Update for 2:30 a.m. EDT
With the countdown under way for launch, engineers are working through
procedures to pressurize the first and second stage helium and nitrogen systems
and second stage fuel tanks.
Update for 2:17:37 a.m. EDT
T-minus 150 minutes. The Boeing launch team is scheduled to enter terminal
count at this time for today's launch of a Delta 2 rocket carrying four Globalstar
satellites. Liftoff remains set for 5:17:37 a.m. EDT, the opening of a three-minute
window.
Wednesday, July 7, 1999
Update for 11:20 p.m. EDT
The mobile service tower has been rolled away from the Boeing Delta 2 rocket
atop Cape Canaveral Air Station's pad 17B. The MST is used to assemble the
rocket on the pad, plus provide access and weather protection. The rocket is now
brightly illuminated by powerful floodlights as workers continue with preparations
for a planned 5:17:37 a.m. EDT launch tomorrow.
Final pre-launch work will lead to the start of terminal count at 2:17:37 a.m. EDT
at the T-minus 150 minute mark. Two built-in holds are scheduled into the
countdown - at T-minus 20 minutes for 20 minutes and at T-minus 4 minutes for
10 minutes.
The major milestone will come at about 3:30 a.m. EDT when Boeing officials will
decide which of today's two available launch windows to use. The
three-minute-long windows open at 5:17:37 and 8:17:07 a.m. EDT, respectively.
Boeing can only try for one window or the other, not both. The reason is
super-cold liquid oxygen, used by the first stage main engine, can remain onboard
the rocket for not longer than three hours. The launch team typically begins
pumping liquid oxygen aboard the Delta 2 at T-minus 75 minutes, which is actually
one-hour and 45 minutes before the launch. The two launch opportunities on
Thursday are too far apart in order to support both.
The timing of the two windows is geared toward shooting the four Globalstar
spacecraft into two open planes of the satellite constellation - one window for
each plane. In all, the constellation will feature eight planes with six operational
spacecraft in each.
The Boeing launch team is readying a Delta 2 rocket to carry another cluster of
four Globalstar communications satellites into space. Liftoff will be possible during
one of two launch windows: 5:17:37 to 5:20:37 a.m. or 8:17:07 to 8:20:07 a.m.
EDT (0917:37-0920:37 or 1217:07-1220:07 GMT). Officials will select one of
the windows prior to loading liquid oxygen aboard the rocket's first stage on
launch morning. A decision to proceed with the first window would come around
3:30 a.m. EDT.
Air Force meteorologists say there will be an 80 percent chance of acceptable
weather conditions on Thursday. The threat will be coastal rain showers in the
area. Here is an overview from Tuesday's weather forecast:
"Surface and upper level high located north of FL to continue deep
east-southeasterly flow over the next couple of days. Upper level low pressure
currently east of the Bahamas will move westward across southern FL over the
next 24-36 hours. Dry, subsiding air ahead of this low will inhibit shower and
thunderstorm activity until mid day on Thurs. Once this upper low moves west of
FL, the moisture depth will again increase as well as the coverage of showers and
thunderstorms. Main concern for launch will be a slight chance of a coastal shower
moving in the proximity of the pad.
The forecast calls for scattered clouds at 3,000 and 15,000 feet, visibility of 10
miles or better, southeasterly winds at 5 gusting to 10 knots, a temperature of 76
to 78 degrees F for the first window and 80 to 82 degrees F for the second and
humidity of 80 percent.
Should the launch be delayed for some reason, the forecast for Friday and
Saturday shows a 60 percent chance of good weather on those days.
-Justin Ray
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