SpaceX is set to launch their second Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral this Tuesday at 23:05 UTC (18:05 EST), delivering the DSCOVR spacecraft to the Lagrange 1 point. The weather forecasts ahead of the launch on Monday indicate a 80% chance of weather being green at the time of launch.
DSCOVR, which stands for Deep Space Climate Observatory, is an observation and space weather satellite. Originally proposed in 1998, the spacecraft suffered many delays. Initially it was expected to be launched aboard the ill-fated 2003 Columbia Space Shuttle mission, but ultimately was delayed. During Bush’s administration it was put into storage, with no effort being made to give it a new launch date. Only now, 17 years after it was first proposed, is it finally being launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
DSCOVR, which stands for Deep Space Climate Observatory, is an observation and space weather satellite. Originally proposed in 1998, the spacecraft suffered many delays. Initially it was expected to be launched aboard the ill-fated 2003 Columbia Space Shuttle mission, but ultimately was delayed. During Bush’s administration it was put into storage, with no effort being made to give it a new launch date. Only now, 17 years after it was first proposed, is it finally being launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
The DSCOVR spacecraft will be delivered to the L1 point. This is a point in space where the spacecraft will not move, relative to the Earth and Sun. This sounds confusing, but these useful animations by the ESA are great for understanding the dynamics of the Lagrangian points.
Although the launch’s primary goal is to successfully deliver the DSCOVR spacecraft to space, much of the attention for this launch will be on the fate of the first stage. With the first stage booster just missing the landing last time round because of a lack of hydraulic fluids, it is hoped that as this launch will have more hydraulic fluids, the landing should work.
The static fire test was performed on the 31st January, ensuring the vehicle is ready for flight on the 10th February. SpaceX see the static fire test as a requirement before every launch to ensure the safety of the vehicle prior to launch. The rocket is fired after a simulated countdown, but the rocket is held down to ensure it doesn’t take an early trip to space.
The launch will be covered by NASA TV and the SpaceX webcast.
The static fire test was performed on the 31st January, ensuring the vehicle is ready for flight on the 10th February. SpaceX see the static fire test as a requirement before every launch to ensure the safety of the vehicle prior to launch. The rocket is fired after a simulated countdown, but the rocket is held down to ensure it doesn’t take an early trip to space.
The launch will be covered by NASA TV and the SpaceX webcast.