SpaceX

The post-launch press conference will begin at about 5 p.m. Watch on NASA TV.

Watch as the Dragon spacecraft loaded with about 5,000 pounds of experiments, equipment and cargo, separates from the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket to go into orbit on its own.

Five small CubeSats have been ejected from their carriers on the second stage to perform their missions. The satellites, also called nanosatellites, are as small as 10 inches by 10 inches and are generally built to execute a variety of research goals. You can read more about the CubeSats launched today here and and about NASA’s CubeSat programs here.

This series shows the Falcon 9 first stage climbing into orbit, upper left, before separating and letting the single engine second stage take over the work, upper right. Finally, we see the aft compartment of the Dragon as separates from the second stage and into orbit on its own, lower left.

Dragon’s twin solar arrays deployed on schedule less than 15 minutes after launch. They will allow the spacecraft to recharge its batteries on its way to the International Space Station.

The cargo-laden Dragon capsule is on its own now in Earth orbit and headed to the International Space Station following a brilliant afternoon liftoff from Florida. The second stage separated from the spacecraft as expected and Dragon is to soon unfurl its two solar panels to begin recharging its batteries.

The second stage engine has shut down. Dragon will separate in about 30 seconds on its course to the space station.

The single engine on the second stage is now lifting the Dragon spacecraft into orbit following the burnout and separation of the first stage and its nine engines. The rocket is about 50 miles high and traveling at Mach 10. The second stage engine, the same kind as those on the first stage, lit on time and is performing as expected to keep Dragon on course for the International Space Station.