Author: Steven Siceloff

The Atlas V just broke the sound barrier.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V has cleared the tower and GOES-R is on its way into orbit!

1 minute to launch of NOAA’s GOES-R.

The launch vehicle stages are on their own power.

Controllers report propellant tanks on the Atlas V are at flight pressure. Everything is go.

The GOES-R countdown is ticking toward a liftoff at 6:42 p.m. A computerized autosequencer will take over the countdown in order to conduct a host of activities in precise order.

The launch teams have been their final “go” for launch of the GOES-R spacecraft. Launch time is 6:42 p.m. EST. There are 27 engineers and controllers involved in the final polls.

The launch team is placing the controls in launch position. The solid-fueled boosters have been enabled for liftoff. This Atlas V will use four SRBs to help lift GOES-R into space.

GOES-R is to launch tonight at 6:42 p.m. The launch teams will conduct polls to confirm readiness to launch. The final poll will take place in about 10 minutes.

The GOES-R team has been given a ‘go’ to place the spacecraft on internal power. The launch teams are working toward launching at 6:42 p.m., the end of tonight’s launch window. The Air Force Eastern Range continues to work an issue.