Tag: Launch Complex 39A

Weather Extremely Favorable for Today’s Launch

NASA's Europa Clipper mission is poised to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in the distance behind the iconic countdown clock at the NASA News Center at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA’s Europa Clipper mission is poised to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in the distance behind the iconic countdown clock at the NASA News Center at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. Photo credit: NASA/Jamie Groh

We remain a “go” for launch, with the latest weather update from the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron predicting a 95% chance of favorable weather today for liftoff. The primary weather concern for the launch area is the cumulus cloud rule.

Teams continue targeting liftoff of NASA’s Europa Clipper mission at 12:06 p.m. EDT on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The live launch broadcast will begin at 11 a.m. on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media. NASA launch coverage in Spanish begins at 11 a.m. on NASA+ and NASA’s Spanish YouTube channel. You can also continue following along right here on the blog as we take you through the entire flight profile for the Europa Clipper mission.

Dragon Endeavour Reaches Orbit, News Conference at 12:15 a.m. EST

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission launches from Kennedy Space Center at 10:53 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 3, 2024.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission launches from Kennedy Space Center at 10:53 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Photo credit: NASA Television

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, commander; Michael Barratt, pilot; and mission specialist Jeanette Epps along with Roscosmos cosmonaut mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin to the International Space Station has safely reached orbit, and the nosecone has opened.

A postlaunch news conference will be held at approximately 12:15 a.m. EST at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center with the following participants:

  • Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy
  • Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson
  • Sarah Walker, director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX

NASA will air the postlaunch news conference on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.

Follow along with mission activities and get more information on the International Space Station blog.

Learn more about commercial crew and space station activities by following @commercial_crew, @Space_Station, @ISS_Research on X, as well as the Commercial Crew Facebook, ISS Facebook, and ISS Instagram accounts.

Separation Confirmed! Dragon Now Flying Solo

The Dragon spacecraft has separated from the Falcon 9’s second stage and is flying on its own. The spacecraft is traveling at approximately 17,500 miles per hour (28,200 kilometers per hour). In less than a minute, the Dragon nosecone open sequence will begin.

Falcon 9 Second Stage Engine Shuts Down

After about nine minutes of flight, the Falcon 9’s second stage has shut down and the Dragon spacecraft now is in orbit, where it will soon separate from Falcon 9’s upper stage and continue its journey to the International Space Station. Momentarily, the rocket’s first stage will attempt to land at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

First Stage Main Engine Cutoff; First, Second Stages Separate

The Falcon 9 rocket has reached first stage main engine cutoff (MECO), and the first and second stages have separated. Next, the Falcon 9’s second stage engine will start.

Liftoff! NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Begins Journey to International Space Station

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission launches from Kennedy Space Center at 10:53 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Stafford

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, lit up Florida’s night sky, as NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, commander; Michael Barratt, pilot; and mission specialist Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin, started their approximately 28-hour journey to the International Space Station on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission. Liftoff occurred at 10:53 p.m. EST.

At the time of launch, the space station is flying 260 statute miles over the southern Arabian Sea, southwest of India.

Up Next: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Liftoff

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Dragon spacecraft on top is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft on top is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission launch on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Photo credit: NASA Television

Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, with NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick; Michael Barratt; and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin is now just five minutes away. Everything is proceeding according to schedule, and all is looking good for the launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Remains on Schedule, Launch Less Than10 Minutes Away

 

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Dragon spacecraft on top is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft on top is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission launch on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Photo credit: NASA Television

Fuel loading is complete on the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage. Everything remains on target for the 10:53 p.m. EST scheduled launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Propellant and Liquid Oxygen Loading Underway

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fueling has begun. Rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) loading and first stage liquid oxygen loading is underway. A few minutes from now, fueling will begin for the second stage.

Launch weather officers with the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron predict a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. Liftoff remains scheduled for 10:53 p.m. EST.