The SpaceX flight readiness review has cleared Falcon 1 for launch from Kwajalein at 1600 Pacific Time (US West Coast). As I post it is 19:40:40 UTC here and 12:40:40 PM PDT there. Those who are interested can watch the launch here in about three hours.
They have stated they will scrub today’s launch if there is the tiniest doubt or problem.
2220GMT: Launch is about 40 minutes away and the bird is sitting on the pad with some boil off showing around the interstage. Wish I were there instead of the freezing cold here in Belfast tonight!
2225GMT: I have just read a report that there are some telemetry problems between Kwaj and El Segundo.
2227GMT. They are in a planned hold. Wind is 13 knots at 050.
2239GMT. Still telemetry problems. Most of the engineering eyeballs are at the office in El Segundo rather than onsite, so it could cause a scrub if not solved soon.
2256GMT. Telemetry problem sorted. At the moment we are go for launch today.
2300GMT. T-0 is now set for 2345 GMT.
2305GMT: They have recommenced fueling and you can see the boil off at the interstage and up on the second stage.
2317GMT: Audio on webcast has begun, fueling is reported complete. I see quite heavy venting at the interstage.
2320GMT. Venting at engines visible now. This bird is raring to go!
2330GMT: 15 minutes to go, Everything is green!
2332GMT: Cleared for launch, no more holds in count.
2342GMT: T-4. There are 5600 people watching the live stream.
2345GMT: Terminal count abort. I will let you know when I get some info on why.
2358GMT: Abort due to a range issue. There will be a decision on recycling and continuing within the next 10 minutes or so.
0011GMT: It’s a scrub for today. I will let you know when. It will be at least 24-48 hrs.
0033GMT: Recycle is for 24 hours. See you all tomorrow, same time GMT. Goodnight all!
It looks awful windy there. Can they launch in that?
For Linux folks, use “mplayer -playlist mms://a141.l2216521225.c22165.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/141/22165/v0001/reflector:21225“
Wah, audio! It has begun.
cmon!
20 minutes to go…
Oh man, terminal abort with just over a minute to go.
I’m almost as disappointed as all those poor people sound, behind their astonishingly smooth professionalism.
Ah well. Next time.
They said they would be coming back with a decision at about 4 minutes after the hour. Something about “range source telemetry”?
I guess 10 minutes was an estimate. What I wouldn’t give to be listening to “anomaly net”.
Nuts. Just heard, “Launch scrub for the day.”
At least 24-48 hours.
I will be watching closely and let you all know when the next launch attempt will be. Their window for the range lasts until Friday on this go around, so we there is time for several more tries if needed.
They are being very, very cautious this time.
More data: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon/f2/status.html
Does this mean that the ship is not a Millenium Falcon, but a mercurial falcon?