SpaceX Launch Day Thread

[MMohammed]

After some struggle, it looks like we're getting closer to finally seeing SpaceX's first astronaut mission. So, what are you most excited about? Frankly, I will forever be fascinated by the engineering and know-how it takes to get a gargantuan piece of machinery into space.

Oh, and don't forget to head on over back to this thread to give us your live reactions and thoughts as the launch commences. For now, we're scheduled for tomorrow at 3:22 PM EDT.

C'mon Florida weather, help us out!

 

[COLGeek]

I, for one, will be glued to a screen (somewhere) whenever she lifts off. Can hardly wait!

 

[Wolfshadw]

I wasn't around for the early US missile tests. I wasn't around for the NASA Mercury and Gemini projects. I was too young to remember the Apollo missions or the initial moon landing, and beyond that, there wasn't enough fanfare for my parents to make any other landing a memorable affair for me.

I remember Skylab falling back to Earth on my birthday in 1979. I remember the Enterprise liftoff from a 747 and landing. I remember Columbia's first launch....

I remember waking up in my college dorm room on January 28th, 1986. I only had afternoon classes on Tuesdays. I didn't make it to any of them that day.

I remember exactly where I was when Discovery lifted off on the 29th of Sept, 1988. I had joined the Air Force a year earlier. I was in my office with most of my entire squadron gathered around a 6" portable TV screen, watching the launch. My heart was racing as Discovery lifted off and it all but stopped when I heard the five scariest words I've ever heard: "Discovery. Go with throttle up." 30 seconds later, my eyes were full of tears and I had a fist raised in triumph.

Sadly, I was also watching on the 1st of February, 2003 and I heard the second scariest sentence I ever heard, "TC Flight: Lock the doors".

Unfortunately, I have a busy schedule this Saturday and may not be able to watch the launch live, but I know I will have the full gamut of emotions running that day. I'll post again, after tomorrow's events.

-Wolf sends

 

[Craftsman X]

Bring it on... we all really need this right now. Not just US citizens but all over the globe... I realise that most of the tech and money is US generated but we must all be united in the same goals and 'futuresight' (for want of a better word)
Lets get ready to rummmmmbbbblllleeeee…..

 

[Imagineer2025]

I watched every Mercury Launch Live on Television.

This is as exciting and historic a moment as those launches.

 

[rod]

Things look good for launch so far

 

[Craftsman X]

Things look good for launch so far

… abort corridor... GO

 

[Craftsman X]

Weather.... GO...

 

[Craftsman X]

Fuelling … GO...

 

[rod]

It is great weather where I am at in MD too. I was out for 3 hours this morning splitting logs and stacking firewood for the coming winter No gas splitter used, sledge hammer, steel wedges, splitting maul, and double bladed ax work.

 

[Craftsman X]

stage 2 LOX load...

 

[rod]

A 9 minute ride to enter orbit after launch, this must be some ride

 

[Craftsman X]

T minus 13...

 

[Craftsman X]

Bob , virtual trumpet?...

 

[rod]

Bob , virtual trumpet?...

Oh boy, counting down 9 minutes and below, will you blow the trumpet?

 

[Craftsman X]

fuel complete...

 

[Craftsman X]

Gods Speed.....

 

[rod]

Faster than Mach 1 now, look at that speed and altitude telemetry change

 

[Amber1221]

 

[shaines]

It's such an incredible feat to witness every single time. It's amazing what the brilliant and brave can accomplish.

 

[rod]

Nominal orbital insertion shortly after 9 minutes after liftoff and booster now landing

 

[rod]

This is great to see those two astronauts and the computer setup display. This is not the old days here of Gemini or Apollo

 

[rod]

Dragon is separated and making its way to the ISS

 

[Craftsman X]

Just blown away... we all need this now! so good!

 

[rod]

Just blown away... we all need this now! so good!

Go CrafstmanX! Tomorrow morning near 0400, I plan to be out with my telescope and view Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter, 129x to 200x views. Great weather now at my location. Great launch and will enjoy some early morning planet viewing tomorrow, very enjoyable----Rod