NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter - LIVE Launch Thread (sched 7:42am ET)

SpacefllightNow.com ^ | Aug 12, 2005 | Textide

[Textide]

The Mars Recon Orbiter is due to be launched from Cape Canaveral, FL at 7:42am ET, via an Atlas V-401 rocket.

Watch NASA TV

Melbourne, FL Radar

[OXENinFLA]

Ping..

[Textide]

1107 GMT (7:07 a.m. EDT)

The Centaur liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks have been reported at flight level.

1103 GMT (7:03 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 30 minutes and counting. The countdown clocks are heading to the T-minus 4 minute mark where a planned 10-minute hold will occur. Launch remains set for 7:43 a.m. EDT.

[Textide]

More info on the Atlas V rocket.

http://www.ilslaunch.com/atlas/atlasv/

[Textide]

1112 GMT (7:12 a.m. EDT)

There are no significant problems being talked about by the launch team, weather remains beautiful and liftoff is still targeted for the opening of today's two-hour window at 7:43 a.m. EDT.

[cabojoe]

Good morning...hope you had a nice flight.

[Textide]

Thanks, it was great; first true IFR flight. Glad the rocket didn't go yesterday, would've missed it in the clouds.

Little early out there in CA isn't it?

[cabojoe]

Late here...lol

[Textide]

1117 GMT (7:17 a.m. EDT)

The fuel-fill sequence for the first stage main engine is commencing.

[defconw]

It's past did they hold the count? I am watching FNC.

[Textide]

I'm still showing that 7:43am ET is about 17 minutes from now. NASA TV (see link in header) is still showing the rocket on the pad.

[NonValueAdded]

Planned hold until 7:33 EDT. See http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av007/status.html

[cabojoe]

I think the Atlas 5's are beautiful.

[Textide]

1124 GMT (7:24 a.m. EDT)

Launch weather officer Clay Flinn just briefed mission managers on the expected conditions for liftoff time. Winds are light, skies are mostly clear and temperatures are in the low 80s F. All weather conditions are "go" for launch.

1122 GMT (7:22 a.m. EDT)

The latest guidance and steering data have been loaded into the rocket's flight computer based on today's upper level wind conditions.

[Northern Yankee]

Good Luck!

[NonValueAdded]

Make that until 7:39 ... they are holding at T minus 4 with a 7:43 EDT window opening.

[cripplecreek]

I'm hoping they have the rear pointed cameras. It's the best view.

[defconw]

Cool, I hooked up the NASA TV link so I don't miss it!

[OXENinFLA]

Any news stations covering this?

[Textide]

FNC had a blurb about it maybe five minutes ago, right before the Discovery crew interview. They might cover it.