SpaceX

 

A good look at the first stage engines today as they lifted the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft flawlessly into orbit.

 

The Dragon spacecraft is on its own in orbit and operating with its arrays deployed as planned. Next stop, the International Space Station where Flight Engineer and European Space Agency Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and Expedition 43 Commander Terry Virts will use the station’s 57.7-foot robotic arm to reach out and capture it as they operate from the station’s cupola. Arrival is set for Friday at 7 a.m. EDT.

The twin solar arrays that will recharge Dragon’s batteries and power the spacecraft during the mission are opening as planned. With the arrays fully open, the spacecraft has a span of 54 feet.

The second stage has shut down on time and Dragon now flies on its own.

A look at the second stage as it pushes Dragon into orbit.

 

Launch controllers report the Falcon 9 rocket continues to perform well as the second stage pushes the cargo-laden Dragon into orbit.

The nine Merlin 1D engines have shut down as planned and the first stage separated while the second stage takes over.

Falcon 9 and Dragon have passed through the region of maximum dynamic pressure which places the greatest stress on the rocket during its ascent.