Watch SpaceX Launch NASA’s Roman Telescope to Chart the Stars
Astronomers will use data collected by Roman’s wide, deep gaze to study the dark universe and hunt for new worlds.
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, mounted in the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket’s protective casing, rests upright on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center on August 29, 2026. The mission's key stages during the launch unfold as follows:
At 00:53:00, the Launch Director confirms the go for propellant loading. Around 00:50:00, the first stage propellant load commences with RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene). Subsequently, the LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins at 00:45:00.
At 00:35:00, the second stage RP-1 loading starts. At 00:18:30, the LOX loading for the second stage begins. At 00:07:00, the Falcon Heavy initiates the engine chill period.
At 00:00:59, the flight computer initiates final pre-launch checks. At 00:00:45, the Launch Director gives the green light for launch. At 00:00:20, the propellant tanks pressurize for flight. At 00:00:06, the engine controller triggers the engine ignition sequence.
At 00:00:00, the Falcon Heavy embarks on its journey at lift-off. At 00:01:08, the rocket reaches Max Q, the peak mechanical stress point. At 00:02:24, the side booster's engine cutoff (BECO) occurs. By 00:02:27, the side boosters separate from the core stage.
The side boosters initiate their boostback burns at 00:02:32, and these burns conclude at 00:03:48. The first stage main engine cutoff (MECO) happens at 00:03:54, followed by the separation of the first and second stages at 00:03:51.
The second-stage engine starts at 00:04:15, and the fairing separation takes place at 00:04:00. At 00:06:19, the side-boosters commence their entry burn, which ends at 00:06:29. The side boosters begin their landing burns at 00:07:23 and successfully touch down at 00:07:40.
At 00:08:28, the second-stage engine cutoff (SECO-1) is executed. At 00:24:33, the second-stage engine starts again for SES-2, followed by a second engine cutoff (SECO-2) at 00:26:32. At 00:31:31, the Roman telescope is deployed, marking the start of live broadcast coverage at 6:20 a.m. EDT on NASA+.
Written by urgent.news from NASA Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- NASA Roman Space Telescope: First Stage Fueling at 6:30 a.m. EDT science.nasa.gov
- NASA's Roman Space Telescope is ready for launch aboard SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket space.com
- NASA set to launch Roman telescope to map the universe france24.com
- Nasa to launch $4.3bn space telescope to scan universe ft.com
