Category: Cargo Resupply (CRS)

The SpaceX launch director and Air Force Eastern Range confirm that Falcon 9 and Dragon are ready for launch and the range is clear for liftoff at 10:21 a.m. EDT. Propellant tanks are pressurized to flight levels.

T-4 minutes, 20 seconds and counting: The strongback supporting the Falcon 9 and Dragon at the pad is retracting away from the rocket into its launch position. Umbilical lines remains attached to the stack but will disconnect and fall away at T-0. Launch director will verify “go for launch” at T-2 minute mark.

The batteries aboard Dragon are now providing the spacecraft system power. They will be recharged once in orbit using the two solar arrays that will unfurl after launch.

T-10 minutes – The autosequencing computers for the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft have taken over the countdown process. They will automatically run the systems through their carefully timed steps leading up to liftoff. Ground controllers carefully monitor the steps and can call a hold in the launch if something is not right. So far though, everything remains on schedule.

T-13 Minutes and Counting – The launch team reports the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft are ‘go for launch’ at 10:21 a.m. EDT. The autosequencer will take over at T-10 minutes.

The SpaceX teams report that the rocket and spacecraft are ready for launch. The formal go/no-go poll is minutes away.

T-30 minutes and all conditions are good for liftoff at 10:21 a.m. EDT. The Falcon 9 and Dragon teams report no technical issues this morning and the weather here in Florida is warm and sunny with a few clouds overhead.

 

 

 

 

 

With less than hour before launch at 10:21 a.m. EDT, the countdown continues on schedule. The SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft are timed precisely to lift off at the optimum point to reach the space station, which is zooming overhead 249 miles above Earth at 17,500 mph. That means the launch window is 1-second today, otherwise the launch team will have to make another attempt on another day.

“We are go for all range weather and expect to remain so through to the T-0,” forecaster Mike McAleenan of the Air Force’s 45th Space Wing reported to the CRS-7 launch and mission teams. He said the winds are very light today around the launch site and the temperature at the 10:21 a.m. launch time will be in the mid-80s here in Florida.

The Dragon spacecraft is carrying a 1,000-pound International Docking Adapter that will make it easier for spacecraft carrying astronauts to connect to the station. IDA-1, as the component is called, will be connected to the port on the end of the Harmony module on the space station. Equipped with modernized docking targets and sensors, the IDA, made by Boeing, will give spacecraft from Boeing and SpaceX a place to dock on the station. Many of the sensors and targets are set up so the spacecraft can steer safely to the station and dock automatically to the IDA. A second one to be sent into space later will be connected to another port on the station to provide a backup parking place for spacecraft. There’s a lot more to the IDA’s story, including the cooperation it has taken to make, test and launch. For those details, go here.