* Astronomy

T+ 0:08:40 Block DM 1st Burn Ignition

The Block-DM will ignite for a six-minute burn to place itself in a temporary parking orbit with a low point of 112 miles and a high point of 1,480 miles.
After a coast phase, the stage will ignite again at T+Plus 47 minutes, 45 seconds to inject JCSAT 9 into its targeted geostationary transfer orbit. Spacecraft separation is expected 63 minutes after liftoff.

T= 0:00:00 Liftoff
T+ 0:02:29 Stage 1 Separation
T+ 0:03:16 Payload Fairing Jettison



The Zenit 3SL will fly due east downrange along the Equator. The first stage's Ukrainian four-chamber RD-171 engine ramps up to a maximum of 1.6 million pounds of thrust during its burn lasting two minutes, 29 seconds. After first stage separation, the second stage's RD-120 powerplant will come to life at an altitude of approximately 45 miles. During the second stage firing, the payload fairing shielding the JCSAT 9 satellite during the flight through the denser lower atmosphere will be jettisoned.

All systems are go for launch.

Fuelling operations got underway about two hours ago. A mix of refined kerosene and liquid oxygen comprise the propellant used by all three stages of the launch vehicle.