Ignition Timeline Leading up to Launch of Intelsat New Dawn

For tonight's launch, the main engines start at T-0. This is the Vulcain 2 engine located in the center core. If this engine starts up correctly, at T+7 seconds, the two solid rockets, which are on either side of the main core, ignite.

Total thrust at liftoff is approximately 2.6 million lbs at liftoff. At 140 seconds, the two solids will have exhausted their fuel and are jettisoned. The fairing is jettisoned as soon as possible, at 191 seconds, to reduce the mass the rocket has to carry and to maximize performance.

At 533 seconds, the Vulcain 2 engine will be shut off and ten seconds later, at 543 seconds, the second stage will ignite. The second stage engine will take the satellites to the transfer orbit. At 1,519 seconds, the second stage engine will complete its burn and be in a geostationary transfer orbit with the two satellites.

At 2,103 seconds (35 minutes), the New Dawn satellite will be separated from the Ariane 5 rocket.

Contributor: Brian Sing, Satellite Mission Director, Intelsat New Dawn