3:26 GMT (11:26 pm EDT): The successful separation of the COSMO-SkyMed 3 satellite ends the major part of this launch mission. Two additional burns of the second stage will follow to make sure that this stage won’t interfere with the orbit of COSMO-SkyMed 3.
3:22 GMT (11:22 pm EDT): Second stage cut-off.
3:22 GMT (11:22 pm EDT): The second stage is restarted and will burn for about 12 seconds.
3:21 GMT (11:21 pm EDT): The ullage rockets were fired to settle the propellants for the upper stage second ignition.
2:40 GMT (10:40 pm EDT): Engine cut-off of the second stage. The second stage with the the satellite now enters a cruise phase. This cruise phase will last about 42 minutes.
2:33 GMT (10:33 pm EDT): The fairing is jettisioned.
2:33 GMT (10:33 pm EDT): The second stage ignited.
2:33 GMT (10:33 pm EDT): Main engine cut-off (MECO) of the first stage and stage seperation.
2:31 GMT (10:31 pm EDT): End of the dogleg maneuver.
2:30 GMT (10:30 pm EDT): The launcher now performs a so called dogleg maneuver to increase the inclination of the targetted orbit.
2:30 GMT (10:30 pm EDT): The burnt-out SRBs are jettisioned.
2:29 GMT (10:29 pm EDT): The four solid rocket booster that were fired at lift-off are depleted.
2:29 GMT (10:29 pm EDT): We reached Max-Q, maximum dynamic pressure.
2:28 GMT (10:28 pm EDT): Lift-off of the Delta II carrying the COSMO-SkyMed 3 satellite.
2:27 GMT (10:27 pm EDT): One minute until the launch. Everything is go for launch.
2:26 GMT (10:26 pm EDT): T-2 minutes and counting. All tanks are now completely filled and under flight pressure.
2:14 GMT (10:14 pm EDT): T-4 minutes and holding. This last built-in hold will last 10 minutes and allows the range safety devices to be enabled and the launch vehicle switched to internal power as well as the launch targeted for the right launch window.
2:08 GMT (10:08 pm EDT): The fuel tank is now pressurized for flight.
2:03 GMT (10:03 pm EDT): T-15 and counting. Everything looks good so far.
1:43 GMT (9:43 pm EDT): T-15 and holding. This built-in hold will last for 20 minutes and allows the launch team checks of the rocket.
23:48 GMT (7:48 pm EDT): The fueling of the Delta II’s first stage has begun. This will take about 35 minutes for the fuel and after a short pause the LOX loading will take another 35 minutes.
October 24, 2008: The Delta II stands ready on the launch pad SLC-2W in Vandenberg for the launch of the COSMO-SkyMed 3 satellite tomorrow.
COSMO-SkyMed, the new system for Earth observation, entirely developed and produced in Italy, is based on a constellation of four radar satellites. Each satellite is equipped with a high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) operating in X-band and flexible and innovative transmission equipment for high speed downlink of acquired data to the receiving ground stations.
The satellite weighs about 1,900 kilograms.
The Delta II used for the launch is the 7420-10 configuration with 4 solid rocket boosters.
The launch window will open at 2:28 GMT (10:28 pm EDT, October 24) on October 25, 2008.
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