Latest Launch Updates
Posted August 2, 2008 - 20:38 PDT
We have heard from launch control that there has been an anomaly. More details will be posted to the website as available.
Posted August 2, 2008
T+140s: Vehicle switching to inertial guidance mode. 1050 m/s, altitude of 35 km
T+69s: Approaching Max-Q - the time of maximum dynamic pressure on the vehicle
T+56s: Approaching Mach 1 - the vehicle is now supersonic
Posted August 2, 2008 - 20:33 PDT
T+4s: Falcon 1 has cleared the tower
T+0: We have liftoff!
Posted August 2, 2008 - 20:33 PDT
We are go!
Posted August 2, 2008 - 20:27 PDT
The strongback is down, we are heading for liftoff in just under 7 minutes.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 20:25 PDT
We have recycled and reset the clock to T-10 minutes. Countdown has begun.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 20:12 PDT
Engineers are reviewing data. No decision has been made yet, but it is looking promising that we will recycle and reset the clock to T-10 minutes. We have 50 minutes left in today's launch window.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 20:01 PDT
We have had an abort and are looking at data. The vehicle and the pad system are fine. Please stay tuned, we could still recycle and lift off tonight. This decision will depend on the cause of the abort. More details will be provided as soon as they are available.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 19:51 PDT
We are approaching terminal count (automated last 10 minutes of the countdown), Flight Termination System check, ignition enable, a final Range poll, then launch!!
Posted August 2, 2008 - 19:45 PDT
Both stages are full of liquid oxygen, fuel (RP-1), and helium. We are ready to go into the terminal count, which is the last 10 minutes of automated countdown. Step 110 has been completed; reports are we are clear for launch.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 19:38 PDT
Ground winds and cloud cover are acceptable. Previous issues have been resolved. Liftoff expected at 08:00pm PDT / 11:00pm EDT / 03:00 UTC.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 19:34 PDT
Webcast with Max and Emily will resume in a few moments.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 19:28 PDT
First stage fuel load is complete.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 19:24 PDT
Starting fuel load.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 19:11 PDT
We have re-entered procedures at T-55 minutes and are reloading fuel. Liftoff is now expected at 08:00pm PDT / 11:00pm EDT / 03:00 UTC. Check back at 07:30pm PDT.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 19:03 PDT
We are still holding at T-16 minutes. We are very confident that we will launch before today's window closes at 9:00pm PDT / 12:00am EDT / 04:00 UTC. Please check back in 30 minutes for further updates.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 18:36 PDT
The clock is holding at T-16 minutes. We are loaded to 97% and it is taking longer than expected to load the final 3%. To prevent fuel from getting too cold, we are detanking. Max will be back on-air at 7:00 PDT / 10:00 EDT / 02:00 UTC with further information. Updates will be posted here as available.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 18:10 PDT
Above image is from telephoto video camera on Meck Island, approximately 2 miles away.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 18:07 PDT
Launch Control is working a minor issue. We are still very confident we will launch during today's window. Please stay tuned on this page, we will be back in approximately 30 minutes. (6:30 PDT / 9:30 EDT / 01:30 UTC)
Posted August 2, 2008 - 17:37 PDT
We understand some viewers may be having technical difficulties viewing the webcast. We apologize for any problems, appreciate your patience, and will post video to SpaceX.com as soon as possible following launch.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 17:27 PDT
Fuel load is complete.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 17:14 PDT
Starting liquid oxygen topping.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 17:12 PDT
Standing by for liquid oxygen topping.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 17:04 PDT
Countdown has resumed. Fuel load has begun.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 16:58 PDT
Countdown expected to resume in 2 minutes.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 16:50 PDT
Liftoff is now expected at 5:55 PDT / 8:55 EDT / 00:55 UTC.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 16:37 PDT
Live webcast with hosts Max Vozoff and Emily Shanklin from SpaceX's Hawthorne Headquarters has begun. Countdown clock currently holding at T-55 minutes. We expect to pick up the count in 5 minutes for a 5:40 PDT / 8:40 EDT / 00:40 UTC liftoff.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 16:35 PDT
Liquid oxygen load is complete.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 16:33 PDT
First stage liquid oxygen is 95% full; second stage is 87% full.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 16:31 PDT
Above image is from telephoto video camera on Meck Island, approximately 2 miles away.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 16:24 PDT
First stage liquid oxygen load has been completed. Second stage liquid oxygen load is at 50%.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 16:00 PDT
Live feed from Kwaj will be back in a moment.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 15:56 PDT
Liquid oxygen loading has begun.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 15:54 PDT
Above video is live from Kwaj. Awaiting start of webcast.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 15:48 PDT
Live feed of Kwaj will be back in a moment.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 15:42 PDT
Above video is live from Kwaj. Awaiting start of webcast.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 15:20 PDT
Liftoff is now expected at 5:00pm PDT / 8:00pm EDT / 24:00 UTC.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 13:53 PDT
Liftoff is now expected at 4:30pm PDT / 7:30pm EDT / 23:30 UTC.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 13:53 PDT
The Countdown has begun! T- 2 hrs and counting. All systems go at this point.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 13:37 PDT
Pad preparations have been completed. Helium is filling and chilling nominally. Tanks have been purged.
Posted August 2, 2008 - 13:28 PDT
If you can see the video above, the video test has been successful. Please await start of live feed. (3:30pm PDT)
Posted August 1, 2008 - 13:02 PDT
Watch this page for up to the minute reports during the webcast.