SpaceX CRS-3

[Chippiewill]

There isn't enough spacex love here.

The static fire for the upcoming CRS-3 mission to the ISS happened yesterday:

[Chippiewill]

CRS-3 Has been delayed until March 30th:
https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/s...14954443673600


Dragon spacecraft being attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket

Apparently this could be related to contamination concerns on the dragon spacecraft:
http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/00.../#.UySZHfl_vvZ

CRS-3 will likely the first SpaceX launch fitted with first stage landing legs, though they won't be attempting ground recovery it should help for spin issues which occurred in previous first stage suicide burns.

[Chippiewill]

After several delays due to fires and a helium valve issue CRS-3 will be taking off in 35 minutes. You can watch a livestream of the launch here:
http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

On a sidenote the F9R-Dev craft, the successor to grasshopper had its first test flight yesterday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjWqQPWmsY

[Chippiewill]

The vehicle just passed all its T-15 minute checks and has just entered terminal count at T-10 minutes.

[scottish]

5 minutes..

[Chippiewill]

Falcon 9's strongback (Thing which lifts it up, allowing for horizontal integration) just retracted.

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Falcon 9 has taken off

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Following first stage separation they will be attempting to land it over water, not sure if they'll be streaming that or not.

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Just had first stage separation.

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Reports on the stream are saying that they have video (Not being streamed) of the first stage, and that it also just performed its re-entry burn.

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Stage 2 separation has occurred, the dragon vehicle is now deployed.

[Chippiewill]

Dragon's solar arrays now deploying.

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Livestream coverage has just ended, hopefully we'll see some news about first stage recovery soon. If successful we'll probably see a video come out sometime tomorrow.

[Chippiewill]

According to Elon Musk (CEO of SpaceX and Tesla) the re-entry burn went well, apparently they're awaiting data on landing. Reportedly the roll rate was close to zero, this is good as last time the engine wouldn't re-ignite for its final suicide burn as the fuel was being affected by centripetal force. The landing legs from this time are meant to help with this.

[Chippiewill]

Apparently the first stage landing was soft and continued transmitting for 8 seconds after reaching water.

[Chippiewill]

SpaceX have finally published a first stage splashdown image: