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: 2) by DannyB on Monday May 01 2017, @05:34PM (1 child)
I just happened to wake up a few minutes before the launch. So I watched it instead of going back to sleep.
I wonder if we'll ever know if the satellite was successfully delivered into the proper orbit? All we seem to get to know is that everything was okay through MECO and they nailed the landing.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 3, Informative) by takyon on Monday May 01 2017, @06:31PM
Don't amateurs track these classified satellites all the time?
https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2017/04/what-is-nrol-76-and-what-orbit-wil-it.html [blogspot.com]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]