SpaceX rocket launch LIVE stream – Watch the Falcon 9 rocket launch online
SPACEX made history by launching of a reusable Falcon 9 rocket later on Friday. Watch the BulgariaSat-1 launch live stream here.
SpaceX Falco 9 launch live stream online
On Friday Elon Musk’s company launched its Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a mission to take Bulgaria’s very first satellite into space.
In January the company made history when it launched a used rocket into space for a second time and brought the “most expensive part” safely back to earth.
The first-stage booster - which was previously launched into space last year - detached itself after the launch and landed on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SPACEX ROCKET LAUNCH ON SUNDAY JUNE 25
After the Falcon 9 entered space on Friday, the key part of the rocket will head back to Earth where it will hopefully land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX originally planned for the rocket to be launched on Sunday June 18, but technical issues pushed the launch back to Friday.
Another rocket launch is planned for Sunday June 25 as part of a “double whammy” launch schedule.
“Postponing launch to replace fairing pneumatic valve. It is dual redundant, but not worth taking a chance,” Mr Musk tweeted last week.
“If schedule holds there will be two Falcon 9 launches within 48 hours (Cape & Vandenberg) this weekend.”
Team is running additional ground system checks; Falcon 9 and payload are in good health. New liftoff time set for 3:10 p.m. EDT.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 23, 2017
SpaceX rocket captures three 'UFOs' 'in formation'
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is reusable booster rocket – the first of its kind
Postponing launch to replace fairing pneumatic valve. It is dual redundant, but not worth taking a chance
There are a whole raft of future missions planned out in SpaceX’s flight manifest, but none of them have confirmed dates yet.
BulgariaSat-1 is a geostationary communications satellite that was built by satellite company SSL in Palo Alto, California.
The satellite will provide direct-to-home television and data communication services to Southeastern Europe and other European regions.
SpaceX launch mission timeline:
Countdown
Hour/Min/Sec – Events
01:13:00 – Launch Conductor takes launch readiness poll
01:10:00 – RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading underway
00:45:00 – LOX (liquid oxygen) loading underway
00:07:00 – Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
00:01:00 – Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
00:01:00 – Propellant tank pressurisation to flight pressure begins
00:00:45 – SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
00:00:03 – Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
00:00:00 – Falcon 9 liftoff
The Falcon 9 will deliver a Bulgarian satellite into orbit
Launch, landing and satellite deployment
Hour/Min/Sec – Events
00:01:19 – Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:36 – 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:40 – 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:47 – 2nd stage engine starts
00:03:40 – Fairing deployment
00:06:19 – 1st stage entry burn begins
00:08:31 – 1st stage landing
00:08:38 – 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:27:08 – 2nd stage engine restarts
00:28:13 – 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:34:55 – BulgariaSat-1 satellite deployment