http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/living/launch/launch_blog.html en-us
Thank you for following the countdown and liftoff on NASA's Launch Blog. For updates throughout the SpaceX CRS-1 mission, go to http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/living/index.html.]]> Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:59:10 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:52:12 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:47:48 GMT
Tonight at launch time, the International Space Station was flying 225 miles above Earth southwest of Tasmania.]]> Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:45:45 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:41:59 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:39:26 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:36:24 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:35:00 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:33:13 GMT
When the countdown clock reaches zero, the nine Merlin engines on the rocket's first stage will ignite and the pad holddown bolts will release the vehicle. The main engines cut off three minutes into flight, followed by jettison of the first stage. The second-stage engine will ignite at that point, about three minutes and 12 seconds after liftoff, and propel the vehicle for the next six minutes.

After second-stage engine cutoff, or SECO, the Dragon spacecraft will separate from the rocket and reach its preliminary orbit. Then it will deploy its pair of power-generating solar arrays and begin a two-day pursuit of the International Space Station.]]> Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:30:05 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:26:57 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:24:51 GMT
The launch team is stepping through final countdown preparations under the guidance of SpaceX Launch Director Brian Mosdell and SpaceX Launch Conductor Brian Childers.]]> Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:14:53 GMT Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:09:40 GMT
The cargo heading to the International Space Station includes 23 student-designed experiments to study the effects of microgravity on physical, chemical and biological systems. The students participating in NASA's Student Spaceflight Experiment Program are involved in every step of the process, from designing experiments to submitting to formal NASA review for flight selection. More than 100 SSEP students, teachers and family members are here in Florida to see their efforts take flight.

For the return trip, Dragon will be packed with about 1,600 pounds of cargo, including about 734 pounds of scientific materials and about 504 pounds of station hardware.]]> Sun, 07 Oct 2012 23:49:20 GMT
Countdown clocks here at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station passed the T-1 hour mark at 7:35 p.m. Due to propellant requirements, the Falcon 9 rocket must target an instantaneous launch window, which means the countdown itself is carefully timed. There are no built-in holds. If tonight's launch misses the mark, there are opportunities Monday, Oct. 8 (tomorrow) and Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Launch remains scheduled for 8:35 p.m.]]> Sun, 07 Oct 2012 23:41:11 GMT
During the remainder of the countdown, small amounts of the chilled liquid oxygen will continue to boil off and vent away, and valves will continue to top off the tank until three minutes before launch.]]> Sun, 07 Oct 2012 23:26:56 GMT
An on-time liftoff this evening means the Dragon spacecraft will catch up to the station Wednesday, Oct. 10. Using the station's Canadarm2, Expedition 33 Commander Suni Williams and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide will capture and berth the arriving spacecraft to the Harmony node. Dragon will remain at the station for about three weeks before returning to Earth via parachute-assisted splashdown off the coast of southern California.]]> Sun, 07 Oct 2012 23:12:26 GMT
The countdown has progressed smoothly today and there are no technical concerns with the rocket or spacecraft.]]> Sun, 07 Oct 2012 23:06:53 GMT
Tonight's weather forecast predicts a 60 percent chance of favorable conditions.

While the launch team controls the countdown from the SpaceX Launch Control Center, NASA's Launch Blog comes to you from our console in the Mission Director's Center at Hangar AE. Stay tuned for more from the countdown.]]> Sun, 07 Oct 2012 23:00:21 GMT Sun, 07 Oct 2012 22:49:39 GMT Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:22:31 GMT