Month: July 2016

The single Merlin 1D engine of the Falcon 9’s second stage is lifting the Dragon spacecraft higher and faster on its path to orbit.

The first stage of the Falcon 9 has separated and the second stage engine is taking over.

Falcon 9 has cleared the region of maximum dynamic pressure. All systems green.

The Falcon 9 engines ignited and the rocket is headed into space with a cargo-laden Dragon spacecraft and 5,000 pounds of equipment and materials!

Falcon 9 to liftoff in 60 seconds.

Launch team reports no issues.

The support structure known as the strongback is moving away from the rocket into launch position.

Countdown continues on track.

The Falcon 9’s engines are being conditioned to handle the supercold liquid oxygen that will run through them during launch and ascent.

The Dragon spacecraft is on battery power. It will charge its batteries once in space by deploying a pair of solar arrays.