Launch News SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.2 with CRS-10 - February 19, 2017 at 14:38 1UTC

[Kyle]

NASA has pulled rank in the SpaceX manifest after the EchoStar-23 delays, making CRS-10 the first SpaceX mission from Launch Complex 39A!

From SpaceX,

SpaceX announced today that its first launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be the CRS-10 mission to the International Space Station. The launch is currently targeted for no earlier than mid-February. Following the launch of CRS-10, first commercial mission from 39A is currently slated to be EchoStar XXIII. This schedule change allows time for additional testing of ground systems ahead of the CRS-10 mission. The launch vehicles, Dragon, and the EchoStar satellite are all healthy and prepared for launch.

Interesting to see how much metal is already being removed from the RSS in the first image as SpaceX slowly begins to tear it down. Looks like the entire Shuttle Payload Changeout Room has been removed.

 

[Kyle]

Launch scheduled for February 14, 2017 at 11:34am EST (16:34 UTC) from Launch Complex 39A. First stage will return to land at Launch Complex 13 -- daylight RTLS! Hope people in the Cape are prepared for the triple sonic booms.

 

[Urwumpe]

So, its going to be a Valentines day launch...

 

[Frilock]

So, its going to be a Valentines day launch...

If they are attempting a barge landing, and its not 'Of course I still love you' I'm going to be disappointed.

 

[Kyle]

If they are attempting a barge landing, and its not 'Of course I still love you' I'm going to be disappointed.

You're going to be disappointed then as this mission will be returning to land.

 

[Messierhunter]

Launch scheduled for February 14, 2017 at 11:34am EST (16:34 UTC) from Launch Complex 39A. First stage will return to land at Launch Complex 13 -- daylight RTLS! Hope people in the Cape are prepared for the triple sonic booms.

YES! This is what I've been waiting for!

 

[Donamy]

Any payload in the trunk ?

 

[Kyle]

Any payload in the trunk ?

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/11/spacex-external-cargo-20th-revealed/

For the upcoming resupply flights, SpX-10 – the first mission to the ISS since 8 July 2011 scheduled from historic pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center – is slated to loft three external payloads, the Space Technology Program H5 (STP-H5) with Raven lidar, the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment – Instrument Payload (SAGE-IP), and the SAGE Nadir Viewing Platform (SAGE-NVP).

 

[Nicholas Kang]

Static Fire has moved right by a day to the 9th. Launch date remains the same.

The Strongback and the launch table are horizontal together for the first time on 5th February.

Strongback upright too. (A few hours after the above photo was taken.)

 

[Kyle]

Launch delayed to NET 2/17/17

 

[Kyle]

F9 on the pad!

---------- Post added at 07:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------

No static fire today -- next opportunity tomorrow into Sunday morning.

 

[Messierhunter]

F9 on the pad!

---------- Post added at 07:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------

No static fire today -- next opportunity tomorrow into Sunday morning.

Nice shot, did you take that with a spotting scope? I heard the launch was pushed Saturday the 18th.

 

[Kyle]

I didn't take it (though I do have a spotting scope), found it over Twitter.

She's vertical though!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQWBz9zgOTP/

---------- Post added 02-11-17 at 06:19 AM ---------- Previous post was 02-10-17 at 11:45 PM ----------

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Is there a time for the static fire Sunday? I am heading to KSC tomorrow AM.

 

[Kyle]

Is there a time for the static fire Sunday? I am heading to KSC tomorrow AM.

It's scheduled for today, but I believe the window extends all day into early Sunday morning. If they delay it today (which is likely) then they'll try again Sunday.

---------- Post added at 05:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 PM ----------

As expected, test moved to Sunday. Thunder Chicken, you'll probably be able to see it if it goes tomorrow.

---------- Post added 02-12-17 at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was 02-11-17 at 05:21 PM ----------

02/12/2017 07:36 Falcon 9 vertical on the pad again
Following yesterday's scrubbed static test fire, the Falcon 9 booster was lowered to the horizontal postion but it is once again standing tall on launch complex 39A, presumably ready for another attempt.

The operation to lift the booster to the vertical position by the launch pad transporter erector system began at around 6am EST (1100 GMT) and appeared to be complete about 30 minutes later.

The expected window for Sunday's static fire test runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST (1500-2300 GMT).

http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/10/pad-39a-mission-status-center/

---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 PM ----------

Aiming for after 2:30pm EST.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

It's scheduled for today, but I believe the window extends all day into early Sunday morning. If they delay it today (which is likely) then they'll try again Sunday.

---------- Post added at 05:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 PM ----------

As expected, test moved to Sunday. Thunder Chicken, you'll probably be able to see it if it goes tomorrow.

---------- Post added 02-12-17 at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was 02-11-17 at 05:21 PM ----------



http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/10/pad-39a-mission-status-center/

---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 PM ----------

Aiming for after 2:30pm EST.

I'm there now! Still looking at 1430? Nobody at the visitor's center seems to know.

---------- Post added at 02:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:09 PM ----------

Nothing at 1430. Anybody have a new time?

-

 

[DaveS]

This is the latest:
[ame="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/830858650449276930"]Chris B - NSF on Twitter: "Latest F9 Static Fire T-0 is 16:10 Eastern. It keeps moving to the right, but this latest target has remained the same for a while."[/ame]

 

[Thunder Chicken]

This is the latest:
Chris B - NSF on Twitter: "Latest F9 Static Fire T-0 is 16:10 Eastern. It keeps moving to the right, but this latest target has remained the same for a while."

Thanks! I'm staying!

 

[DaveS]

Still a moving target:
[ame="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/830869263997100033"]Chris B - NSF on Twitter: "@NASASpaceflight Still moving to the right. Best to wait for a firm T-0 where they are go for prop load, if they decide to attempt today."[/ame]

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Still a moving target:
Chris B - NSF on Twitter: "@NASASpaceflight Still moving to the right. Best to wait for a firm T-0 where they are go for prop load, if they decide to attempt today."

Doesn't sound good today. Damn. Wanted to see a rocket light off in person.