Falcon I First Flight: 25th November 1pm PDT

[spacefire]

I wonder if Elon can sleep. Maybe he's got nerves of steel. I know I'd be in constant state of panic. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">1 day left.. I bet there are some people with some nervous stomachs...</font>/i><br /><br />I am one of them, and I have virtually nothing on the line.</i>

 

[barrykirk]

My wife has told me to shut up already about the launch. She will be happy when it's over and done with so that I can get on with my life.<br /><br />LOL

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Well SpaceX (excellent PR) have noted they 'don't' have a bandwidth issue on their webcast. Their reasons for not webcasting it past (what appears now to be only the media at their event in California) are their own, but not techincal.<br /><br />So it's a non-starter in getting a webcast up for the general public (in coop with ACCESS) I'm afraid.<br /><br />Of course, the launch has (at the last time of checking) badweather issues, not to mention the highly unlikely event of it launching on the first attempt (Musk's own call on that was it'd be a "miracle" if they launch on the first attempt.)<br /><br />I'm sure everyone wishes them well regardless - and let's hope they get a break with the weather to at least have a go tomorrow.

 

[ve7rkt]

SpaceX's website:<br /><br /><b>POSTED NOVEMBER 24, 2005: Falcon 1 Launch Delayed by Army Range - New Launch Date is November 26<br /> <br />In order to facilitate preparations for a missile defense launch, the Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) has bumped the SpaceX Falcon 1 maiden flight from its officially scheduled launch date of 1 p.m. California time (9 p.m. GMT) on November 25. The new launch time is<br />1 p.m. California time (9 p.m. GMT) on November 26.</b>

 

[rogers_buck]

I guess Lockmart needs another day before they are ready to take a shot at the Falcon. <br />

 

[spacefire]

not again! at least it's only a one day delay.<br />Army sucks. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[jmd2003]

Even with the delay not too long now. Good luck to spacex.<br /><br />Brian<br /><br />PS. Anyone know the BMD system the range is being configured for (SM-3 PAC-3, GBI, ABL, THAAD)?

 

[grooble]

super-bump.

 

[mikejz]

From SFN<br /><br />Today's launch of Falcon 1 remains on schedule. Fueling operations are coming up in the countdown.

 

[teije]

1735 GMT (12:35 p.m. EST)<br /><br />Today's launch of Falcon 1 remains on schedule. Fueling operations are coming up in the countdown. <br /><br />

 

[barrykirk]

Just checked the weather for the launch site and it appears to indicate morning showers.

 

[tap_sa]

<font color="yellow">"Do they simply have that much excess energy, (useful for later missions,) and are taking a "detour" this time to demonstrate the full range of the system? "</font><br /><br />FalconSat-2 weighs only 19.5kg and the intended orbit is relatively high. I'd guess doing the 'detour' allows them to skip coast/restart lowering the risks. There's a planned restart <i>after</i> payload is deployed, just to see if it works.

 

[grooble]

This is the rocket on the launch pad:<br /><br />http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon/f1/prelaunch2.html

 

[barrykirk]

They just updated with no further information available right now.<br /><br />I'm not surprised by this. It wouldn't think that this is a bad sign though.

 

[mikejz]

Appearently the media conference call has not started yet.

 

[mikejz]

Okay Conference seems up<br /><br />Live blogging here<br />http://www.outofthecradle.net/archives/2005/11/stand-back-live-blogging-here/#more-122<br /><br />Fueling 2nd Lox tank<br />11 min into hold.

 

[barrykirk]

Is that a preplanned hold? Or does it count against the expected launch countdown?

 

[mikejz]

don't know

 

[mikejz]

SFN<br /><br />T-minus 19 minutes and counting. SpaceX says the countdown is continuing for liftoff at 4 p.m. EST.

 

[kdavis007]

Still no news....

 

[tap_sa]

Shuttle_RTF on NSF:<br /><br /><i>"A bit of a farce at the moment, with noisey journalists at the press center drowing each other out. The phone line sounds like a washing machine and apparently MSNBC just shouted at people to press mute on their phone lines, it's that bad!"</i><br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

 

[grooble]

NSF: 15 mins to launch window opening and SpaceX are making their opening comments. <br /><br />http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=918&posts=40#M10510

 

[mikejz]

Expect WX forcast before launch

 

[grooble]

8 minutes until the launch.