Ares I-X Launch Live Thread

http://www.nasa.gov ^ | none

[Carlucci]

Ares I-X is (hopefully) about to come out of its 20 minute hold. Launch is predicted to take place around 08:30 (or later).

[Carlucci]

This launch will not achieve orbit. The Ares rocket will be the one used to take us back to the moon, should we go forward.

[Carlucci]

Just announced they are go for a 09:24 launch. Weather is good at this time.

[SlowBoat407]

Is the T-minus 4 minute hold a scheduled one?

[cripplecreek]

Got my finners crossed for a successful test launch.

[Carlucci]

yep, it was a scheduled hold, but they initially hoped for an 08:29 launch. Now they have pushed back the resumption of the countdown by almost an hour.

[McGruff]

Keep us cubicle bound informed.

[Carlucci]

Rain is approaching and will arrive at 09:50. If they encounter further delays, and are unable to launch at 09:24, they may see bad weather forcing a scrub.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

ping!

[Lawdoc]

btt

[Carlucci]

Team is on way to pad to pull the probe covers. Cautiously optimistic that they will launch before the approaching shower.

[Bean Counter]

Now they are discussing problematic winds aloft.

There was only a 40% chance of launch this morning, and the weather is supposed to get progressively better over the next couple of days. I would not be surprized if they scrub shortly...

[Carlucci]

A discussion is underway about the impact of upper level winds right now. May not be ideal for gathering the telemetry that they desire.

[Robe]

Why is the NASA TV picture so fuzzy??? You’d think they put a HD cam out there ...

[TomGuy]

NASA TV Link for MS Player. Copy and paste in Open URL.

http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1369080&segment=149773

[Carlucci]

I think it has to do with the sample rate they are using. If you can, look for the “other viewing options”, and switch to the Windows Media Player. It looks a bit better.

[Carlucci]

They are going to go ahead and pull the 5-hole probe cover and then determine what the launch time will be.

Still no “go” for launch from the weather officer.

[Carlucci]

The probe cover didn’t come off cleanly. It was attached to a bit of twine and they were supposed to be able to give it a yank and uncover the probe, but it’s stuck.

The probe itself is uncovered. They are pulling pretty hard on the cord now.

[BallyBill]

Somebody left the clothesline attached to the escape tower again.

[Robe]

IT”S LOOSE>>>>>

[Carlucci]

They finally yanked it free. A huge cheer erupted!

[TomGuy]

FoxNews

New launch time: 9:44 ET

[Sax]

Pushed to 9:44

[GoDuke]

That’s another first for America’s manned space program!

[Carlucci]

10 minutes until they come out of the hold. Weather is green according to the weather officer.

[Eye of Unk]

I have a feeling its going to have a BIG problem shortly after launch, I hope not but I have this feeling something isn’t right.

[TalonDJ]

so, in 13 minutes?

[Sax]

good live video feed from the main page of our local newspaper:

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

[MaxMax]

Oh noes, That string holding the rocket up fell off.

[Eye of Unk]

They just said there is a ship in the launch danger area. A 90 minute delay?

[Carlucci]

listening to the comms they don’t seem to be as tightly regimented as for a manned launch.

Extending the hold. A cargo ship is in the way in the Atlantic!

[DocRock]

Cargo ship... range is “no go” for at least 90 min

[GoDuke]

Dang!

[jpsb]

90 minute hold, ship in the range daner area.

[SlowBoat407]

There’s no compulsion to meet up with anything in orbit, so timing is completely up to convenience on the ground. They might as well get it right.

[Eye of Unk]

I toured the launch facility years ago but I see something new here at this launch pad, I am guessing they may be towers to attract any lighting? They have a spiraled rod atop them, BIG tall towers.

[MaxMax]

Bummer, now I’ll have to catch the replay later.

[Sax]

9:47 launch time now

[DocRock]

First time I’ve noticed those towers, also. I ride over to the coast frequently to watch launches and this rocket is much taller than the shuttles.

[Carlucci]

Yeah, I get that. I just mean there doesn’t seem to be the same level of precision in the chatter. A bit ago, they didn’t seem too sure of the precedence order of a few steps.

Ship is clear. Awaiting resumption.

[Sax]

9:49 -correction

[MaxMax]

Sweet. I thought they said 19:47.

[DocRock]

They sound like they are about to launch anyway. Approx 2 minutes to pick up 4 min count ... 9:49 launch

[Eye of Unk]

From my view on the NASA channel they look to be three towers equidistant in a triangle. They must be lighting rod towers.

COUNTDOWN IS ON!

[Sax]

4 minute countdown clock just began - it’s running down now.

[Eye of Unk]

clock is stopped at 2:39?

[MaxMax]

BLASTOFF! Go Go Go Gooooooo. /taps finger

[Eye of Unk]

I guess nobody brought any matches to light it?

[Carlucci]

They had a cutoff. Putting safeties back on. Resetting clock back to 4:00

[Carlucci]

They had a cutoff. Putting safeties back on. Resetting clock back to 4:00

[Jet Jaguar]

Stalled