Falcon 9 on launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Photo Credit: SpaceX. |
The Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule filled with more than 5,200 pounds of cargo bound for the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled to liftoff Saturday, January 10, 2015, at 4:47 a.m. Eastern Standard Time from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Approximately 157 seconds into flight, the first-stage engines will shut down, an event known as main-engine cutoff, or MECO. Four seconds after MECO, the first and second stages will separate.
After first stage separation, SpaceX will relight the first stage engine in a series of three burns to slow and stabilize the descent of the rocket
with the help of hypersonic grid fins.Falcon 9 hypersonic grid fins extended. Photo Credit: SpaceX. |
SpaceX autonomous drone ship. Photo Credit: SpaceX. |
SpaceX Launch Weather Forecast
The most recent forecast issued by the U.S. Air Force 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 80% chance of overall permissible weather conditions for the SpaceX launch. The primary weather concern for the launch is flight through precipitation and a thick cloud layer.
Where Can You Watch the SpaceX Rocket Launch?
Due to the early hour of the launch, only areas 1, 2, and 4 on the map are available for launch viewing.
1. Titusville, Florida southward along the Indian River on the east side of US Highway 1.
2. Between Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral along the north side of State Road 528.
4. Along the beaches of Cocoa Beach, Florida (there is metered parking in Cocoa Beach that only accepts quarters, so bring some change).
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