Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Iridium NEXT 6 with GRACE-FO : May 22, 2018 - UPDATES (Read 86658 times)

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #40 on:** 05/22/2018 06:35 pm »

GO for prop loading!

ZachS09 · « **Reply #41 on:** 05/22/2018 06:37 pm »

T-1 hour, 10 minutes. RP-1 loading should start.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #42 on:** 05/22/2018 06:38 pm »

T-70mins and COUNTING.

Launch autosequence has started.

Fueling has BEGUN with RP-1 now flowing into the Falcon 9 first stage.

REMINDER: This is an instantaneous launch window. We have NO ability to hold for any reason today. A hold is a scrub.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #43 on:** 05/22/2018 06:47 pm »

T-60mins. All is quiet on LD loop. RP-1 fueling is progressing perfectly to plan at this time. No issues.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #44 on:** 05/22/2018 06:48 pm »

1 hour until launch.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #45 on:** 05/22/2018 06:50 pm »

Flight area is CLEAR. Range is ready to support flight.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #46 on:** 05/22/2018 06:52 pm »

All needed tracking stations have confirmed their readiness for launch.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #47 on:** 05/22/2018 07:07 pm »

T-40mins.

It's a highly automated process, but the humans in the loop are being asked to report any issues that would constrain the start of LOX load at T-35mins.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #48 on:** 05/22/2018 07:09 pm »

ECS systems are configured for Stage 1 LOX load.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #49 on:** 05/22/2018 07:12 pm »

LOX loading should start right now. We're under 35 minutes.

NASA TV coverage about to begin.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #50 on:** 05/22/2018 07:13 pm »

T-35mins

Launch team confirms that Stage 1 and 2 LOX loads have started AND Stage 2 RP-1 load has started.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #51 on:** 05/22/2018 07:13 pm »

NASA coverage starting soon.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #52 on:** 05/22/2018 07:17 pm »

And we're live from Vandenberg Air Force Base's SLC-4E, where a Falcon 9 Block 4 rocket will launch seven satellites into two different polar orbits: two for NASA/GFZ and five for Iridium.