Page 46 - Orbiter News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

1:30 into the flight all three auxiliary power units that provide hydraulic power to the orbiter's systems in good shape as are the fuel cells providing electricity to all of the systems onboard. "atlantis" is already 19 miles in altitude, down range from the kennedy space center. 20 miles traveling, 2,500 miles per hour. >> we're listening to kyle herron in launch control. >> the rocket boosters burn out and separate from the orbiter. >> reporter: we have separation coming up of the solid boosters here, right on schedule. there they go. a beautiful separation. "atlantis" continues on its way ...

1:30 into the flight, all three auxiliary power units that provide hydraulic power to the orbiter's systems are in good shape as are the fuel cells providing electricity to all of the systems on board. "atlantis" is 119 miles in altitude from the kennedy space center, 20 miles traveling 2,500 miles per hour. coming up on staging the point at which the twin solid rocket boosters burn out and separate from the orbiter. booster separation confirmed. the onboard guidance system has done its job of settling out any of the dispersions that have been introduced at the booster separation. "atlantis'" ...

And the three main engines on "atlantis" have now been throttled down to 72% of rated thrust as the orbiter prepares to pass through the area of maximum dynamic pressure on the vehicle in the lower atmosphere. engines now beginning to throtle back up. >> "atlantis" you are go at throttle up. >> go at throttle up. >> all three engines looking really good, back at full throttle now. at liftoff the fully shuttled boosters and external tank weighed 4.5 million pounds. it's now burned half of that liftoff weight in propellant.

The three main engines on "atlantis" have now been throttled down to 72% of rated thrust as the orbiter prepares to pass through the area of maximum dynamic pressure on the vehicle in the lower atmosphere. engines now beginning to throttle back up. >> "atlantis" you are go at throttle up. >> go on throttle up. >> all three engines looking really good back at full throttle now at liftoff, the fully fueled shuttle boosters and external tank weighed 4.5 million pounds. it now has burned half of that liftoff weight in propellant.

Times the force of gravity. you feel three times your normal weight and you are waiting the last few seconds for the engines to throttle back for acomeefg orbit. they are almost there. megyn: there is the separation as we speak. nasa always has a contingency plan. right now you can reach spain if one engine fails. they then got to the point where it was negative return. too late to return to kennedy space center. what happening right now? >> the shuttle orbiter is separated from the empty fuel tank. it will drop into the indian ocean and be destroyed on reentry. the orbiter will fire a couple ...