Falcon 9's third launch attempt targeted for Monday (5:41pm EST/2:41pm PST)

SpaceFlightNow.com ^ | 02DEC2013 | SFN

[Jack Hydrazine]

After cleaning and replacing engine components, SpaceX is gearing up for another try to launch a Falcon 9 rocket Monday on a crucial mission to deliver the SES 8 commercial television broadcasting satellite to orbit. Liftoff from Cape Canaveral's Complex 40 launch pad is set for 5:41 p.m. EST/2:41 p.m. PST (2241 GMT), the opening of an 86-minute launch window.

[DManA]

Thar she blows.

[Jack Hydrazine]

First stage sep and 2nd stage ignition!

[Jack Hydrazine]

Fairing sep successful!

[George from New England]

missed it by 4 minutes

CRAPOLA

i see the remnants of the burn - thats all now

[NonValueAdded]

That was very strange - at one point I saw four separate point sources of flame. I said to myself, G-D, I hope that was staging. The first stage seemed to climb after the second for quite a ways. Then there were two additional points of flame that seemed to come off the second stage. Strap ons? Didn’t think that configuration had those.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Sorry to ping you at the last minute.

[Jack Hydrazine]

The first stage will climb a bit even after staging. What you saw up there I don’t know.

[NonValueAdded]

There’s a very pretty effect from the vapor trail in the high clouds, catching the sun’s last rays at altitude. Looks like snow white frosting on top of them. I hope my pictures come out.

[Jack Hydrazine]

No video.

They made it to orbit though.

[sima_yi]

So far, so good. Fingers crossed!

[NonValueAdded]

Maybe the two halves of the fairing catching sunlight?

[Jack Hydrazine]

From SpaceFlightNow.com

2245 GMT (5:45 p.m. EST)
T+plus 8 minutes. About 30 seconds until the second stage Merlin engine is supposed to shut down as the vehicle reaches orbit. The rocket is aiming for an initial parking orbit with SES 8, and it will re-ignite later to boost the satellite into a supersynchronous transfer orbit.

[DManA]

Meanwhile NASA sits on the ground, reaching out to Muslims.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Yeah, that was probably the fairing. It separated shortly after staging.

[NonValueAdded]

and hitching a ride with the Russians.

[hoagy62]

Finally.....

Bet the folks in Hawthorne are breathing a sigh of relief, eh?

[Jack Hydrazine]

That’s okay. Let them make Muzzies feel good while the rest of the world moves to the stars.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Especially since this is a business where you have to be pretty much perfect.

[sima_yi]

Not the only ones, I’m sure!

[Jack Hydrazine]

2253 GMT (5:53 p.m. EST)
After a loss of the live video transmission from the Falcon 9 second stage, SpaceX confirms the rocket has arrived in its preliminary parking orbit.

The Falcon 9 second stage is now in a coast phase scheduled to last about 18 minutes. The Merlin 1D engine will fire again at about T+plus 27 minutes for approximately 71 seconds.

Spacecraft separation is scheduled for T+plus 31 minutes, 15 seconds, but SpaceX plans to end the webcast in a few minutes. News of the outcome of the critical second burn and deployment of SES 8 will come later.