Liftoff Came 15 Minutes Before The Launch Window Closed

The day was not without its drama, but just minutes before the launch window closed, SpaceX moved a giant step closer to commercial re-supply of ISS, and boosted the fortunes of the commercial space industry literally into orbit.

Falcon 9 On Launch Pad Just Prior To Launch

The launch can't be seen as anything other than an unqualified success, but it was a day of delays. First, there was the weather, and then a telemetry issue with the vehicle destruct system pushed the launch into the afternoon. That problem was no sooner resolved than a small sailboat strayed into the launch safety range, causing it to go red again. Finally, at shortly after one, the countdown resumed.

But at T- :02 seconds, the launch was aborted, as an engine parameter fell out of its nominal range.

The rocket scientists at SpaceX worked through that problem with the launch window deadline looming. The countdown resumed about 1430, and 15 minutes later, Falcon 9 rumbled, and lifted into the sky on her way to orbit. A SpaceX spokesperson said the second stage separated and ignited perfectly, and orbit was achieved at around 1454 EDT. SpaceX said nominal shutdown and orbit was almost exactly 250km.  Telemetry showed essentially a bullseye: ~0.2% on perigee and ~1% on apogee.

The Falcon 9 launch shows what Americans can do when presented with a challenge. In a conference call Thursday, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had given the launch about a 75 percent chance of success, in a way managing expectations by reminding reporters that most first rocket launches were less than perfect. But from where we stood on the causeway across from launch complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, it appeared that SpaceX has made enormous strides towards backing up their claim that commercial rockets are the future of space exploration.

Congratulations came in quickly. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement: "Congratulations to Space X on today's launch of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Space X's accomplishment is an important milestone in the commercial transportation effort and puts the company a step closer to providing cargo services to the International Space Station.

"Preparations are proceeding for the first NASA-sponsored test launch under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project later this year. COTS is a vital development and demonstration partnership to create a commercial space transportation system capable of providing cargo to the station.

"This launch of the Falcon 9 gives us even more confidence that a resupply vehicle will be available after the space shuttle fleet is retired."

Bretton Alexander, President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, said "Today is a historic day for SpaceX.  The Falcon 9 rocket rising into the sky was carrying the hopes and dreams of the hundreds of engineers who worked on this new project.  And I know that thousands of well-wishers across the country were cheering that rocket on.  For a brand-new rocket to accomplish this much on its first mission is truly impressive, given the historical difficulties of first flights."

Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman of the X PRIZE Foundation, said "In President Barack Obama's new plan for NASA, a new player has taken center stage - American capitalism and entrepreneurship - and today's SpaceX launch strengthens my hope that commercial space companies will at long last remove the cost barrier that slows our exploration of the solar system."

And from Frank DiBello, President and CEO of Space Florida: "This is another giant leap forward on the path of commercial spaceflight.  Florida's aerospace workforce can take special pride that SpaceX's launch happened right here at Cape Canaveral.  This success means more jobs for Florida and Floridians, and this success also means a major new force in the evolution of a vibrant commercial space capability for the nation."

SpaceX plans to carry non-critical supplies to ISS in the near future, and Friday's success makes that scenario look a lot more plausible.

FMI: www.spacex.com