Latest Launch Updates

Photo caption: Falcon 1 Makes Orbit.

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:31 PDT

Coast phase telemetry is transmitting as expected.

Elon Musk, founder and CEO/CTO is addressing the employees of SpaceX in the background. TEST

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:26 PDT

T+0:08:21 Falcon 1 reached orbital velocity, 5200 m/s

Nominal Second stage cut off (SECO) - Falcon 1 has made history as the first privately developed liquid fueled launch vehicle to achieve earth orbit!!!!!!

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:23 PDT

Velocity = 4200 m/s

Altitude = 315 km

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:22 PDT

Velocity = approx 3600 m/s

Altitude = 292 km

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:21 PDT

Velocity = approx 3000 m/s

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:21 PDT

T+0:02:45 Kestrel (second stage engine) ignited

T+0:02:48 Falcon 1 crossed the boundary into space - 100 km (62 miles)

T+0:02:53 (approx.) Kestrel nozzle stiffeners jettisoned

T+0:03:15 The two halves of the “nose cone” separated and fell away, revealing the payload to space.

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:20 PDT

T+0:02:37 Main Engine Cut-off - “MECO”

T+0:02:42 Stage separated and pushed apart

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:19 PDT

T+0:02:00 Velocity = 1700 m/s T+0:02:20 Vehicle switched to inertial guidance mode

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:18 PDT

T+0:01:08 Reached Max-Q (maximum dynamic pressure on the vehicle) – the most stressful time for the vehicle structure

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:17 PDT

T+0:00:56 Mach 1 - the vehicle became supersonic

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:16 PDT

We have liftoff. T+0:00:00 Vehicle was released from launch mount T+0:00:04 Falcon 1 cleared the umbilical tower

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:15 PDT

Step 119- Launch Director (LD) has verified SpaceX is green. Step 120 – Range Safety Officer (RSO) has verified SpaceX is green. T-60 seconds and counting.

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:11 PDT

Half-way through the terminal count.

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 16:06 PDT

We are T-10 minutes and counting. Terminal (automated, hands-off) count has begun!

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 15:57 PDT

Ground winds are ok for launch.

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 15:53 PDT

More than three-quarters of the way through the countdown procedures.

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 15:49 PDT

First stage is 95% full of liquid oxygen (LOX) and completely full of fuel (RP-1). LOX topping procedure has begun. Second stage is 97% full of LOX, and 100% full of RP-1.

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 15:46 PDT

First stage is 95% full of liquid oxygen (LOX) and completely full of fuel (RP-1). The remaining 5% of LOX will be topped off later in the countdown. Second stage is 77% full of LOX, and 68% full of RP-1.

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 15:02 PDT

After a 15 minute hold, the clock is again counting down towards launch.

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 12:45 PDT

If you can see the video above and hear the sound, the video test has been successful. If you see video but do not hear music, try adjusting your computer's sound or speakers. The live feed is scheduled to begin at 3:30pm PDT.

 

Posted September 28, 2008 - 12:20 PDT

Watch this page for up to the minute reports during the webcast.