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    Range Issue in Work

    The Eastern Range that oversees launches from Florida is working an issue. Tonight’s launch window extends until 6:42 p.m. EST.

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    Launch No Earlier Than 6:12 P.M.

    The launch team continues to work through a launch vehicle issue. The current launch time is no earlier than 6:12 p.m. EST. The window is open until 6:42 p.m. EST.

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    Liftoff Delayed – Countdown in Hold

    With the countdown in a planned hold, the launch teams are working a launch vehicle issue that will prevent the launch from taking pace at the opening of today’s window. The team has not set a new launch time yet but is working in 5-minute increments. Today’s launch window extends until 6:42 p.m. EST.

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    Weather Briefing: Perfect Conditions Continue

    The nation’s newest weather satellite will liftoff in ideal conditions, reported Clay Finn, launch weather officer for NOAA’s GOES-R mission. The forecast remains 100 percent chance of acceptable conditions. The launch teams continue their procedures this evening as we tick closer to liftoff at 5:42 p.m. EST.

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    The Color Change of the Rocket

    Observant watchers may have noted that the Atlas V first stage now appears white. That’s because frost formed on the outside of the rocket as its tanks filled with cryogenic oxygen. It’s the same process that causes frost to form on a glass holding a chilled liquid. Speaking of the Atlas, the oxygen tank is …

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    New Trio Arrives to Join Expedition 50 Crew

    Soyuz Approaches Station

    NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Oleg Novitskiy of the Russian space agency Roscosmos and Thomas Pesquet of ESA (European Space Agency) have docked to the International Space Station. After orbiting the Earth for approximately two days, their Soyuz MS-03 spacecraft docked with the space station’s Rassvet module at 4:58 p.m. EST. When hatches between the Soyuz …

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    NASA TV Coverage Begins

    NASA TV is currently airing GOES-R countdown coverage on its media channel. You can watch the coverage here on the blog or go to http://youtu.be/Fih5Wpe6ac4. The fueling of the Atlas V rocket continues this evening as the launch teams work toward liftoff at 5:42 p.m. EST from here in Florida.

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    Centaur Liquid Hydrogen Loading Begins

    Systems are pumping liquid hydrogen into the Centaur upper stage as today’s countdown proceeds toward a liftoff at 5:42 p.m. EST. The Centaur, pictured above during stacking of the Atlas V at Space Launch Complex 41, burns liquid hydrogen fuel combined with liquid oxygen during the ascent into space. The Centaur’s liquid oxygen tank is …

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    Watch New Expedition 50 Trio Dock Today

    Expedition 50 Crew Members

    Three new crew members are set to dock to the International Space Station Saturday at 5:01 p.m. EST. Live coverage of the docking and arrival will begin at 4:15 p.m. on NASA Television and the agency’s website. NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos and Thomas Pesquet of ESA (European Space Agency) launched in …

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    First Stage Liquid Oxygen Loading Beginning

    Liquid oxygen is flowing into the first stage of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The engine, seen above, will combine the oxygen with refined kerosene to generate about 860,000 pounds of thrust at liftoff. This Atlas V is equipped with four solid-fueled boosters that will provide extra thrust to lift the rocket and …

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