SpaceX will attempt to launch a spy satellite for the first time on Sunday, breaking a 10-year United Launch Alliance monopoly on classified U.S. launches.
The two-hour launch window opens at 7:00 a.m. EDT (11:00 UTC), with a backup launch window the next day at the same time. SpaceX will attempt to recover the first stage rocket.
Also at NASASpaceFlight and The Verge. Falcon Heavy test firing begins soon.
[UPDATE 1: The launch is being live-streamed on YouTube . --martyb]
[UPDATE 2: Launch was scrubbed at T minus 1 minute due to "a sensor issue on the first stage" — launch now scheduled for same time tomorrow: Monday, May 1, 2017 at 0700 EDT / 1100 UTC. --martyb]
[UPDATE 3: The Monday launch is being live-streamed on YouTube. --martyb]
[UPDATE 4: The launch took place at 07:15 AM EDT (11:15 AM UTC). Launch was successful and the first stage booster had a successful return and landing at Landing Zone 1 near the launch site. --martyb]
(Score: 3, Informative) by theluggage on Monday May 01 2017, @12:34PM
After those initial adjacent failures to land the first stage booster, SpaceX has been nailing it every time. Maybe because they aren't using the drone barge as much?
You can't really compare: I believe the drone barge landings are for the higher/faster/heavier/whatever launches that don't have the fuel reserves to, basically, turn around and fly back to the launch site - so they're naturally more demanding.