Monday, February 11, 2013

LandSat 8 LDCM Lifts Off Today

Indeed LandSat 8 had lifted off! Landsat Data Continuity Mission satellite has left the pad being carried by an United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. According to the official NASA time, it lifted off from 30th Space Wing (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.) at 1:02 p.m. EST (10:02 a.m. PST), Monday Feb. 11.

The Landsat Data Continuity Mission satellite spacecraft separation will be one hour, 19 minutes from when the vehicle launched.

In the latest update from NASA, the Centaur main engine continues to operate normally as LDCM is pushed higher and faster into orbit. Speed is 10,400 mph and climbing.

Update:
The LDCM spacecraft is moving at 14,200 mph as the Centaur pushes it into space. Two minutes before the Centaur engine shuts down to begin a 55-minute coast phase.

0 comments:

Post a Comment