Emily LakdawallaAug 04, 2007

Second stage ignition!

No longer visible on TV, now we just listen to the commentary. At T+300 seconds, the second stage is burning, the first stage jettisoned...

Now 81 miles altitude (stupid Imperial units)...

The fairing should have split off by now, exposing the spacecraft to its natural element for the first time...

Second stage is performing well...normal activity...

"We have some good numbers here--" Downrange distance more than 900 miles, 15,100 mph, second stage performance normal...

The second stage will continue to burn until 9 minutes 20 seconds after launch.

SECO! Second stage cutoff! "We've made it to the parking orbit!

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