Tag: competition

All systems are now go for the first launch of Antares at 5 pm (Eastern).

We have liftoff. All is nominal. The first stage has shut down and separated after operating perfectly. The fairings protecting the dummy payload have separated perfectly, which for Orbital is a big deal, as they have had problems with fairing shrouds on previous launches with other rockets.

The second stage engine has ignited, as planned. All is nominal, as the launch director keeps saying.

The second stage engine has shut down, as planned. Antares is in orbit. After a 90 second pause the dummy payload has separated, as planned.

A perfect launch. The United States now has two companies capable of putting cargo and payloads into orbit at reasonable prices. The competition continues to heat up.

The countdown for the first launch of Antares today at 5 pm (Eastern) has begun.

The launch is now been delayed to 6:10 pm to allow more time for the winds to settle.

Update: due to the winds, they have decided to scrub the launch until Sunday, 5 pm (Eastern).

The next Antares launch attempt has now been scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 5 pm (Eastern).

The countdown has begun for the first Antares launch. Go here for regular updates.

Right now the weather looks to be the biggest question mark, with a 50% chance it will cause the launch to be scrubbed.

The Antares rocket has been cleared for its first test launch tomorrow at 5 pm (Eastern).

A countdown dress rehearsal of the Antares rocket on Saturday was halted when a problem with a valve was discovered.

Engineers think they can replace the valve and still launch on Wednesday as scheduled.