Delta rockets have been carrying NASA spacecraft aloft since the 1960s, and today's Delta II has a long history of successful launches. Image at Right: Clouds of exhaust form around a Delta II launch vehicle as it blasts NASA's Swift spacecraft on its mission from Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Image credit: NASA You can share in the excitement of the live countdown via NASA TV or the Web. Coverage usually begins two hours prior to liftoff, and you can use the countdown events below to track the prelaunch milestones and learn about the Delta II countdown process. Here are some countdown milestones and key events that take place after the countdown begins. Keep in mind that event times and lengths are approximate and subject to change. |
T-150 minutes |
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T-146 minutes |
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T-140 minutes |
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T-130 minutes |
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T-95 minutes |
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T-87 minutes |
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T-80 minutes |
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T-75 minutes |
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T-60 minutes |
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T-30 minutes |
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T-15 minutes and holding Built-in 20-minute hold |
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T-15 minutes and counting |
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T-14 minutes |
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T-10 minutes |
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T-7 minutes |
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T-6 minutes |
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T-5 minutes |
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T-4 minutes and holding Built-in 10-minute hold |
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T-4 minutes and counting |
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T-3 minutes |
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T-2 minutes |
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T-80 seconds |
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T-70 seconds |
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T-60 seconds |
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T-30 seconds |
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T-10 seconds |
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T-7 seconds |
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T-2.5 seconds |
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T-0 minutes |
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