Live At The Cape: Delta Rocket Darts Toward Orbit

A Delta II rocket is speeding toward orbit after a thundering launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The 12-story United Launch Alliance Delta II blasted off from Launch Complex 17A at 4:34 a.m. after a problem-free countdown. The rocket is scheduled to drop off its payload -- a Navstar Global Positioning System satellite -- in an orbit 11,000 nautical miles above Earth at about 5:42 a.m.

The initial portion of flight appeared to be flawless. The rocket lit up the night sky and then arced out over the Atlantic Ocean and darted toward space. Its six ground-lit solid rocket boosters looked like twinkling orange embers after they were jettisoned about a minute into flight.

Three air-lit solid rocket boosters could be seen igniting, and the first stage main engine cutoff was apparent. The second stage performance is good so far.

We'll be monitoring the rest of the flight and updating the blog as events warrant. The ULA broadcast will pick up again just before spacecraft separation at one-hour and eight minutes into flight.

ABOUT THE TOP IMAGE: Click to enlarge the United Launch Alliance image of the Delta II rocket blasting off from Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. You can also click the enlarged photo to get an even bigger view. Check out the Shark Teeth just below the rocket's nosecone. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance/Carleton Bailie.