Second Stage Burn Complete, Separation Coming Up
The Merlin 1D engine on the second stage completed its burn and is about 30 seconds away from separating from the Dragon to complete the launch.
Four Minutes to Second Stage Cutoff
The second stage engine will burn for about four more minutes to place Dragon on its proper course to the International Space Station.
Dragon Facts
This is the fifth SpaceX Dragon capsule to head to the International Space Station. One test flight and three operational cargo missions have made the spacecraft a regular visitor to the orbiting laboratory. Standing more than 14 feet tall and with a diameter of 12 feet, Dragon can carry more than 13,000 pounds of material into orbit inside its pressurized cabin and the unpressurized trunk. The trunk, which holds the solar arrays, is discarded at then end of the mission to burn up in the atmosphere just before the capsule reenters and parachutes to the ocean where it is recovered.
And yes, this Dragon even has wings – sort of. After the spacecraft separates from the second stage, it will open a pair of solar array “wings” to charge its batteries. Of course, even though they give the Dragon the appearance of a bird, the arrays provide nothing other than a power source since there is virtually no air at that altitude.
Nose Fairing Jettisoned
The protective cover over the Dragon’s hatch at the top of the spacecraft separated on schedule soon after the rocket cleared the densest areas of the atmosphere.
First Stage Burn Complete, Second Stage Engine Ignites
The nine Merlin 1D engines have done their part for this mission and are shut down. The first stage separated from the rocket as planned and the second stage has picked up the load. Its single Merlin 1D engine is firing and the Dragon is on course for its rendezvous with the International Space Station.
Max-Q
The rocket just passed through the region of maximum dynamic pressure where the air build-up in front of the rocket is at its strongest.
LIFTOFF!
The Falcon 9 and Dragon have left the launch pad and are climbing skyward!
‘Go for Launch!’
T-2 minutes . . . The SpaceX launch director gave his final clearance for tonight’s liftoff.
Strongback Moves Away From Falcon 9
The support structure called a strongback has moved away from the Falcon 9 into its launch position.