Falcon 1 Launch: December 19 at 11 a.m. PST (7 p.m. GMT)

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subzero788

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I've got a good feeling about this launch just hope it makes its window (by dec 21 or 22 from memory). Pity there's no live coverage on the net but...GO SPACEX!!
 
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rfoshaug

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It has taken a long time. Let's hope they get it off the ground this time.<br /><br />But I fear that these new space companies will have to go through the same (sometimes explosive) learning curve as the big guys like Lockheed and Boeing did in the 60's. Of course technology is totally different from then, but orbital space flight still is difficult.<br /><br />But I really hope they can make it work. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff9900">----------------------------------</font></p><p><font color="#ff9900">My minds have many opinions</font></p> </div>
 
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mlorrey

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The Old Economy gets hit, head on, by the New Economy. Die, Old Economy, Die....
 
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spacester

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It's gonna be a beautiful launch! I wish we could all see it.<br /><br />Am I right that there's no free live video on the net? Looks like media coverage is going to be limited . . . I don't even see a story on spaceflightnow, what's the deal with that? <br /><br />They've been doing a better job here at sdc on launch coverage, so I guess this is the place to be.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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subzero788

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An update on the SpaceX website:<br /><br /><i>"Posted December 18, 2005: <br />All systems have passed their prelaunch checkout and we are go for launch tomorrow at 11 a.m. California time (7 p.m. GMT). <br /><br />Over the past month, we have also improved and upgraded the countdown sequence in several ways: <br />More computer controlled operations vs manual<br />Improved ground support equipment to load propellant/pressurant faster<br />Worked with range safety to speed up checkout of the thrust termination system<br />Changed to simultaneous load of LOX and fuel on both stages<br />The Vandenberg hold down firing countdown was 5 hours, the first Kwaj countdown was 4 hours and now we are at 3 hours. Having a responsive launch capability is important to DARPA and the Air Force (and us for cost reasons), so we've put a lot of effort into streamlining the countdown." <br /><br />"Still photos and video of the launch will be made available on www.spacex.com within hours of the launch."</i> <br /><br />Here is a pic of Falcon 1 on the Launch Pad with a C-17 flying overhead. <br /><br />
 
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gunsandrockets

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"All systems have passed their prelaunch checkout and we are go for launch tomorrow at 11 a.m. California time (7 p.m. GMT). "<br /><br />Woohoo! I can hardly wait! Go baby GO!
 
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jamie_young

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Good luck SpaceX!<br /><br />There is some good news coverage of this. The site that was updating every minute live and with two people at least on the first time SpaceX tried to launch was the nasaspaceflight site. They are doing the same again, but also other things too.<br /><br />http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4152 story, the link for the live updates, and SpaceX VP of Development Operations Chris Thompson doing a Question and Answer where anyone can ask a question.
 
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spacester

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Way to go Chris at nasaspaceflight.com!<br /><br />I figured he'd put something together but I didn't want to put him on the spot, hadn't gotten around to checking there yet.<br /><br />Wow, this is just hours away weather permitting. I'm getting pretty excited. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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subzero788

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maybe its just me but I can't get that nasaspacflight link to work
 
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gunsandrockets

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"maybe its just me but I can't get that nasaspacflight link to work"<br /><br />Link worked for me 12:35 A.M. PST.
 
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arkady

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Just 3 hours now <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />From : spacex.com<br /><br /><br /><font color="yellow">Posted December 18, 2005: All systems have passed their prelaunch checkout and we are go for launch tomorrow at 11 a.m. California time (7 p.m. GMT). <br />Over the past month, we have also improved and upgraded the countdown sequence in several ways:<br /><br /> *<br /> More computer controlled operations vs manual<br /> *<br /> Improved ground support equipment to load propellant/pressurant faster<br /> *<br /> Worked with range safety to speed up checkout of the thrust termination system<br /> *<br /> Changed to simultaneous load of LOX and fuel on both stages<br /><br />The Vandenberg hold down firing countdown was 5 hours, the first Kwaj countdown was 4 hours and now we are at 3 hours. Having a responsive launch capability is important to DARPA and the Air Force (and us for cost reasons), so we've put a lot of effort into streamlining the countdown. <br /><br />--Elon--</font><br /><br /><br />From what little I've been able to gather, weather seems good. <crosses fingers /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "<font color="#0000ff"><em>The choice is the Universe, or nothing</em> ... </font>" - H.G Wells </div>
 
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nacnud

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Do you have to bash the ISS in every single thread? OK we get it you don't like it, please stop ranting <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />, and on another note.<br /><br />YAY go SpaceX <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />
 
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shoogerbrugge

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Er, the bigelow module doesn't fit in the Falcon I, they need a Falcon V for that. Which is delayed/scrapped, so don't dail just yet.<br /><br /><br />Anyway, Im a skeptic, but wish them good luck none the less
 
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mlorrey

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2005<br />1830 GMT (1:30 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 30 minutes and counting. The launch team is reporting winds of 24 knots. That is the upper limit allowed at launch time. <br /><br />1829 GMT (1:29 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 31 minutes and counting. Fueling of both stages with RP-1 fuel is proceeding. Both tanks are nearing half-full. <br /><br />1827 GMT (1:27 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 33 minutes and counting. Safety checks are being performed between the range and the rocket's flight termination system. Unlike other American-built rockets that use an explosive destruct system to destroy a vehicle that experiences a problem or veers off course during launch, SpaceX has designed Falcon with a "thrust termination system" that shuts down the main engine to end a flight. <br /><br />1822 GMT (1:22 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 38 minutes and counting. A round of checks between the rocket and the launch range is beginning. Crews are testing the link with the C-band beacon. This system is used to track the Falcon as it flies downrange. <br /><br />1820 GMT (1:20 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 40 minutes and counting. Falcon has been configured for loading the first stage with its supply of RP-1 kerosene. <br /><br />1815 GMT (1:15 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 45 minutes and counting. The "go" has been given to the launch team to begin pumping a highly refined kerosene fuel, called RP-1, into the Falcon rocket's second stage. The propellant will be consumed with the liquid oxygen loaded earlier today to power the stage's Kestrel engine. <br /><br />1806 GMT (1:06 p.m. EST)<br /><br />Gwynne Shotwell, the SpaceX vice president of business development, says everything is looking good for launch at 2 p.m. EST today. <br /><br />The rocket's second stage liquid oxygen tank has been loaded. The first stage tank is being filled now, with 82 percent aboard. <br /><br />Kerosene fueling of both stages is coming up. <br /><br />The Army-run range is experiencing a problem with one of th
 
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mlorrey

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1833 GMT (1:33 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 27 minutes and counting. The fluctuating wind conditions at the launch site are now above the allowable limit for liftoff, officials just announced. Earlier, the winds were reported to be 7 knots. The 24-knot constraint is in place to ensure stiff winds don't force the rocket to drift into its pad structure at launch. <br />
 
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mlorrey

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1837 GMT (1:37 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 23 minutes and counting. The first stage RP-1 tank is 90 to 95 percent full, the second stage has reached the 75 to 80 percent level, SpaceX says. <br /><br />1836 GMT (1:36 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 24 minutes and counting. It is still dark in Kwajalein. The launch time is 7 a.m. local time. <br /><br />
 
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mlorrey

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1837 GMT (1:37 p.m. EST)<br /><br />T-minus 23 minutes and counting. "The folks on Kwaj. are feeling great," says Gwynne Shotwell, the SpaceX vice president of business development. "The winds were very low this morning. So we were hoping to not have weather issues. But as long as everybody remains patient we'll going to get this rocket to go today, hopefully." <br />
 
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nibb31

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"Unlike other American-built rockets that use an explosive destruct system to destroy a vehicle that experiences a problem or veers off course during launch, SpaceX has designed Falcon with a "thrust termination system" that shuts down the main engine to end a flight."<br /><br />Doesn't this basically mean that there is no range safety and that if the rocket "experiences a problem or veers off course" it just falls and makes a big crater, albeit without thrust?
 
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