Emily LakdawallaAug 04, 2007

And now, we wait

Phoenix is away from Florida; its first and second stages appear to have performed absolutely beautifully. Now there is a 1-hour wait -- apparently, the longest in Delta launch history -- before the second firing of the second stage motor. Phoenix is not yet free of Earth; it's in orbit now. It will take another two-minute firing of the second stage motor, and then the burn of the third-stage motor, to take it onward to Mars.

Here's some grainy NASA TV of the launch; I'll have better images to post later...

Seconds before launch for Phoenix

NASA TV

Seconds before launch for Phoenix
Phoenix launch

NASA TV

Phoenix launch
Phoenix launch

NASA TV

Phoenix launch
Empty pad

NASA TV

Empty pad

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