LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - SES-8 - Dec. 3 - THIRD LAUNCH ATTEMPT UPDATES

[MP99]

The new Waiting for Downlink page. Much better than the old one! I'm not exactly sure what the red dot is, but it might be showing the vehicle relative to the receiving antenna in the middle (or maybe the other way around).

It's a clock. Red dot is "second hand".

Cheers, Martin

[Ronsmytheiii]

Congrats to SpaceX and SES!

Dont forget Orbital Sciences (made SES-8) without them there would not be a satellite, and they are responsible for Thaicom-6 which is next up for SpaceX

The space industry is so peculiar, competitors can be collaborators depending on the mission. Anyhow, congrats to all three (SpaceX, Orbital, and SES)

[411rocket]

Great launch...........     

Hopefully, your next ones will be much smoother & without any issues.

A lot of forgetting to breathe on my end....I'll sum it up with THANK GAWD! and ABOUT FRIGGING TIME!

carry on........

[Steven Pietrobon]

Sun, lots of IR energy from that point.

I thought the Sun had set, as we could see the edge of the Earth during the first stage burn. Thinking about the geometry, I'm pretty sure its not the Sun, which would probably have blinded an infrared camera.

[Y Combinator]

Congratulations, SpaceX!

The new Waiting for Downlink page. Much better than the old one! I'm not exactly sure what the red dot is, but it might be showing the vehicle relative to the receiving antenna in the middle (or maybe the other way around).

I think it's the second hand on a clock.     I distinctly remember it ticking once a second, and it's in the right position for the xx:xx:33 timestamp in that photo.

[wjbarnett]

Congrats to everyone at SpaceX and SES! Let's have another please!

[bunker9603]

Sun, lots of IR energy from that point.

I thought the Sun had set, as we could see the edge of the Earth during the first stage burn. Thinking about the geometry, I'm pretty sure its not the Sun, which would probably have blinded an infrared camera.

So far on this thread there has been three choices to choose from: Sun, Moon and Venus. Anyone know for sure?

PS- Congrats to SpaceX, SES and Orbital!

[daver]

This picture from FL.  First time trying to attach a picture.  Hope it works.

[tigerade]

I've watched every SpaceX launch live since Falcon 1 Flight 2, and I am truly impressed about how this company as grown.  This is a legend in the making.

[PahTo]

Well done and congrats to the teams--Keep up the good work!

[Star One]

Congratulations to all at Space X on their successful launch, just a shame I wasn't able to catch it live.

[Steven Pietrobon]

OK, here's a shot shortly after showing the Sun has not yet set on the left, with either the Moon or Venus to the right.

[rcoppola]

Thank you for the congratulations. Such a great day for all of us.

Thank you also to Chris for his fair coverage, to L2 for being amazing, and this site for having so many of our fans in one place.

Thank you!...For allowing many of us to dream the big dreams again. For re-igniting our imaginations and for bringing back a real, competitive domestic launch capability. I can't tell you how proud I (we) are of what you at SpaceX have all accomplished. And so much more to come. Bring on DragonRider!...Pad39A awaits.

[Lars_J]

Another launch view with sunset coloured contrail: https://twitter.com/godivako/status/408021104188334080

[daver]

Here's a picture from south of the launch.   

[rickl]

Congratulations SpaceX, padrat, SpaceX-MS, and everyone else who worked on this one!

[Steven Pietrobon]

OK, we now see the Earth's limb as the Sun is setting, and the right object has disappeared. I'm now thinking that the right object might have been an internal reflection of the Sun and what was seen in the infrared images was indeed the Sun.

[daver]

Last picture is from Jacksonville, FL

[Steven Pietrobon]

A nice infrared shot of the first stage separating, with what I believe is the Sun above the engine.

[Steven Pietrobon]

First stage separation with a thruster firing. Second stage is below.