Author: Steven Siceloff

The first stage engines cut off on time and the stage separated. The second stage will ignite shortly to pick up the ascent.

Cameras onboard Antares are showing the launch and ascent going smoothly.

The Orbital Sciences Antares rocket has cleared the umbilical tower and is speeding toward orbit! Its two engines are running well.

T-1 minute and counting to launch. Everything remains on track.

T-3 minutes and counting: The launch computer system known as an autosequencer is in charge of the countdown and will run checks continuously on the Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft.

T-5 minutes and counting – Avionics systems are on their own power.

 

 

A look at controllers at the launch control room for Antares/Cygnus this morning.

T-11 minutes and counting – The Orbital Sciences and NASA launch teams gave unanimous approval to launch at 10:58 a.m. EDT today. There are no technical issues and the weather is clear.

 

The Cygnus spacecraft at the top of the Antares rocket is on its own power. Solar arrays will deploy in space to recharge the spacecraft’s batteries in flight.