All systems are looking good and weather is 85% favorable for Falcon Heavy's launch of NASA’s @MissionToPsyche
If the launch @MissionToPsyche goes ahead tonight, then two of our 34 metre antennas, Deep Space Stations 34 & 35 will be on point and ready to acquire signals from the spacecraft. #DSS34 #DSS35Our sister station @GoldstoneDSN will also be listening on one of its antennas #DSS25
Psyche may be able to connect with these mission controllers and provide real-time data as early as about five minutes after spacecraft separation, before initiating the deployment of its solar arrays. But the best chance for catching Psyche's signal on Earth will occur after deployment is complete, during the safe mode period when the spacecraft is rotating like a rotisserie. It could take up to two hours after separation from the rocket before the first signal is received.Two of NASA's Deep Space Network facilities will be tracking the Psyche spacecraft around the time of launch. The complex in Canberra, Australia, is expected to come into the spacecraft's line of sight shortly before the spacecraft separates from the launch vehicle.The Goldstone complex near Barstow, California, is expected to come into the spacecraft's view between 20 and 36 minutes after Psyche separates from the rocket. The Canberra complex is expected to pick up the signal first.
L-1 hour 35 minutes. Polling all says Go to next stage of countdown. Meanwhile a paper wasp is crawling back and forth over on of the launch pad tower cameras, looking like Godzilla. @MissionToPsyche
Live from 39A, SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch with Psyche. The orbiter mission will explore the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche, the heaviest known M-type asteroid.Overview:nasaspaceflight.com/2023/10/psyche…NSF Livestream:youtube.com/watch?v=Lr6XMn…
HR/MIN/SEC EVENT- 00:53:00 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load- 00:50:00 1st stage RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins- 00:45:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins- 00:35:00 2nd stage RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins- 00:18:30 2nd stage LOX loading begins- 00:07:00 Falcon Heavy begins engine chill- 00:00:59 Flight computer commanded to begin final pre-launch checks- 00:00:45 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch- 00:00:20 Propellant tanks pressurize for flight- 00:00:06 Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start- 00:00:00 Falcon Heavy liftoff
Beginning prop load. @MissionToPsyche
22-Minute vent as Falcon Heavy gets ready to launch Psyche!Link: youtube.com/live/Lr6XMnH_7…
L-15 minutes. Everything looking clean as a whistle so far. @MissionToPsyche
