Tonight, the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) Project successfully launched aboard the SeaStar platform (now called OrbView-2) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The SeaWiFS team tracked events in real-time.
- The first two passes over NASA Goddard on the night of Aug. 1, 1997, were tracked and telemetry data acquired
- SeaStar is on orbit, operating with all systems nominal
- SeaStar telemetry data received at Poker Flats, Alaska and commands sent
- SeaStar contact established with McMurdo station
- L1011 returns to Vandenberg Air Force Base
- Confirmed orbit of 312 x 307 km
- Preliminary orbit 305 km circular
- Spacecraft is in orbit
- Stage 3 burnout
- Stage 3 ignition
- All systems looking good prior to stage 3 burn
- stage 2 burnout - coast phase
- Fairing separation
- Stage 2 burn underway
- LAUNCH
- Launch Readiness Poll performed - CLEARED FOR LAUNCH
- L1011 at 38,00 feet
- North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) satellite ID assigned 24883
- Takeoff
- L1011 and chase plane standing by for takeoff
- L1011 taxiing to takeoff position
- L1011 engines started
- Weather briefing underway - Cleared for launch
- Chase plane ready to support launch
- Aircraft doors closed - flight crew onboard
- Spacecraft powered up
- Payload access door closed
