News and views from the World's Spaceports.

Monthly archives for October, 2012

Image gallery from the SpaceX Falcon 9 – CRS-1 Launch on Sunday

Oct10
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS-1 Launch towards the ISS

SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS-1 Launch towards the ISS

The SpaceX launch of the Falcon 9 on the first of the NASA COTS missions code named CRS-1 took place at 8:35pm on Sunday evening.  Night launches always create challenging conditions for launch photography, but also some offer some great opportunities as well.

One of the great shots is the long exposure streak shot as the rocket launches and heads off towards the east into the skies.  This was enhanced on this launch by some thin clouds that diffused the flames from the rocket engines as it passed through them.

Our launch gallery includes the erection of the Falcon 9 on the pad a few hours before the launch followed by the launch itself.  READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, CRS-1, Dragon, Falcon, SpaceX - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

SpaceX Falcon 9 launch overcame an engine failure

Oct10
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS-1 lifting into place on the Launch Pad

SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS-1 lifting into place on the Launch Pad

When watching the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch on Sunday there was no mention of any problems during the rockets ascent into orbit, but it was later revealed that the first stage suffered an engine failure in one of the 9 merlin engines lifting the rocket into space.

The engine failure occurred one minute 19 seconds into the flight, almost half way through the burn of the first stage. This turned out not to be an issue as the Falcon 9 has been designed to achieve orbit on just 7 of the 9 engines.  The Dragon capsule was inserted into orbit at the precise position that was planned, enabling it to chase down the International Space Station for the docking that took place today.

This was the second time in two launches that there has been an engine failure.  The Delta IV with the GPS IIF-3 satellite had a partial engine failure just 3 days before the SpaceX Falcon launch.  Fortunately neither problem was terminal and both missions were successful.

Continue reading for the official announcement from SpaceX READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, CRS-1, Falcon, SpaceX - Tagged , , , , , ,

Launch Video of the Delta IV GPS IIF-3 mission

Oct10
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike

Last week saw the successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV carrying the latest GPS IIF satellite into orbit. The video below is an edited version of the ULA launch feed with an overview of the mission followed by the launch to SECO.

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, Delta IV, GPS IIF-3, ULA - Tagged , , , , , , ,

SpaceX Falcon 9 launches the Dragon capsule into orbit

Oct08
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS-1 Launches from Cape Canaveral Florida

SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS-1 Launches from Cape Canaveral Florida

With an instantaneous launch window SpaceX only had one shot at getting the Falcon 9 off the ground tonight and they managed it perfectly.  With a by the book countdown everything went exactly as planned until T-3 seconds when the 9 Merlin engines roared into life.  Three seconds later the Falcon 9 Rocket was on its way into space.

The first stage hauled the capsule with 882 lbs of supplies into the skies on a nominal flight path.  When the propellant was depleted the engines shut down, the first and second stages separated and the second stage ignited.

The second stage powered the Dragon capsule into orbit with a six minute burn.  After achieving an orbit of between 192 and just over 200 miles the second stage separated from the Dragon spacecraft and the capsule was then in successful orbit.

A few minutes after the separation the Dragon deployed its solar panels once again everything went exactly to plan.  The entire launch was a 100% total success.

The Dragon will rendezvous with the International Space Station on Wednesday 10th October at 7:22am EDT (11:22 GMT).

Well done SpaceX.  NASA now has a proven supply spacecraft to transport supplies and experiments to and from the ISS once again.

Continue reading for the SpaceX press release: READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, CRS-1, Falcon, ISS, SpaceX - Tagged , , , , , , ,

NASA and SpaceX to launch a Falcon 9 / Dragon capsule today

Oct07
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
NASA SpaceX CRS-1 Mission Patch

NASA SpaceX CRS-1 Mission Patch

Today sees the launch of the first commercial cargo mission for NASA to resupply the International Space Station when a SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 at 8:35pm EDT. The mission code named CRS-1 will see the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster launch the Dragon cargo capsule up to chase down, rendezvous and dock with the ISS.

Due to the orbital requirements the Falcon 9 must launch exactly as the ISS is passing overhead to allow it to be inserted into orbit at precisely the right point to make the rendezvous. This means that there is no launch window for this mission and the rocket must launch at exactly 8:35pm EDT (0:35 GMT). If the launch goes to plan then the Dragon capsule is scheduled to dock with the ISS on October 10th and to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean on October 28th.

Continue reading about the NASA and SpaceX CRS-1 mission, and view the launch pad image gallery: READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, CRS-1, Falcon, ISS, Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Delta IV successfully places the GPS IIF-3 satellite in orbit

Oct05
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Delta IV GPS IIF-3 Launch main engine ignition

Delta IV GPS IIF-3 Launch main engine ignition

On Thursday 4th October the third of the new range of GPS IIF navigation satellites was launched into orbit. There was a perfect countdown with everything proceeding on schedule to the target T-0 of 8:10am EST. As the countdown clock wound down the weather conditions improved with an 80% chance of launch quoted at the weather briefing during the T-4 minute hold.

The seconds were ticking away when the launch controller polled the 30+ stations monitoring individual functions on the rocket, the launch pad, the flight range and the weather. Each of the stations reported GO across the board and the mission director gave the launch conductor permission to launch. At 8:06am the countdown restarted at T-4.

The terminal countdown continued to T-5 seconds when the main booster was ignited. The lower part of the Delta IV rocket was engulfed in a fireball of hydrogen burn off. As the last few seconds ticked away the main engine built up power until T-0.01 seconds when the twin solid rocket motors were lit. At 8:10 the hold down was released and the rocket blasted off on its 3 and a half hour trip into orbit.

Continue reading the launch report and to view the launch image gallery: READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, Delta IV, GPS IIF-3, ULA - Tagged , , , , , ,

The best places to watch the Delta IV GPS IIF-3 rocket launch from

Oct03
2012 3 Comments Written by Mike
Delta IV GPS IIF-3 Launch

Delta IV GPS IIF-3 Launch

If you are planning to watch the Delta IV GPS IIF-3 launch on Thursday morning then you will probably find that there will not be too many people joining you and you will be able to get your pick of viewpoints.

There are 2 great locations, SR-401 by the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station  gates and Jetty Park.  Moving further afield just about anywhere on Cocoa Beach will get a good view, but not until the rocket has left the pad.

As the launch is early morning Jetty Park should be open but check first. The best option is beside the SR-401 behind the cruise terminal.  This is about 8 miles from Launch Pad 37B and has a full unobstructed view of the rocket over the waters of the Banana River.

There are no facilities at all here, but plenty of parking so come prepared. I have spent many a day sitting around getting a tan waiting for a launch from here. However as the launch is scheduled for 8:10am with a 19 minute window it will be all over long before 9am.

Click here for a detailed Google map.

All this information and more is available from our iPhone KSC Launch Pad App. Click here for more details.

 

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, Delta IV, GPS IIF-3, ULA - Tagged , , , , , ,

Delta IV rocket to launch GPS IIF-3 satellite from Cape Canaveral on 4th October

Oct02
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Delta IV with GPS IIF-3 launches 4th October

Delta IV with GPS IIF-3 launches 4th October

This week will see two rockets launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the first on Thursday October 4th will be a Delta IV carrying the third of the new family of GPS Satellites into space to strengthen both the public and military positioning services. The second launch will see the first of the SpaceX cargo missions to the ISS for NASA featuring the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft.

The Delta IV launch is scheduled to blast off at 8:10 am EDT (12:10pm GMT) on Thursday from SLC-37B on the Atlantic coast at Cape Canaveral. The rocket will be in the Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) configuration with a single main booster, twin strap-on solid rocket motors, the Delta cryogenic second stage, and a 4 metre diameter, 38.5 foot tall payload fairing. The combined height of the rocket is 206 feet.

Continue reading the rest of the article and to view the GPS satellite preparation images… READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, Delta IV, GPS IIF-3, ULA - Tagged , , , , ,

AmericaSpace Mission Tracker

Next Launch GPS IIF-4 on a Alas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFB, FL scheduled for 15 May 13 21:38:00 GMT

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Twitter Feed

  • NASA regains the capability to transport supplies and equipment to and from the ISS thanks to SpaceX
    http://t.co/AZWPTqM1
  • Today sees the launch of the 1st Commercial ISS resupply mission with a Falcon 9 / Dragon Capsule launch
    http://t.co/LNLf1pFK
  • A day in the life of the European Southern Observatory starting now at
    http://t.co/54rQi14S
  • The second stage has shut down for a second time placing the GPS IIF-3 Satellite into a third coast phase lasting for about 3 hours.

Photo of the day

STS-133 Discovery Last Flight NASA 58.jpg
STS-133 Discovery Last Flight NASA 58.jpg

KSC Launch Pad iPhone App

iPhone App: KSC Launch Pad now available!

NOW ONLY $0.99 / £0.59

Are you visiting Kennedy Space Center? Do you want to see a rocket launch?

If so then KSC Launch Pad is the only app you will need. Using local knowledge it shows you the best places to watch from and identifies all the major points of interest in and arround Kennedy Space Center.

Available now from the Apple AppStore. Click here for more details...

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