Launch Weather Officer Mike Rehbein reports the range currently is “no go” due to violation of the anvil cloud constraint. However, he expects that to clear within ten minutes of the 8:40 a.m. EST launch time, so the Stargazer will continue on its planned flight path for now.
Chase Plane Takes Off
The NASA F-18 Hornet chase plane has departed from the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Video provided by the chase plane will capture the deployment and first few minutes of the Pegasus XL rocket’s flight.
Wheels Up! Stargazer, Pegasus XL Takes Off with CYGNSS
The Orbital ATK “Stargazer” L-1011 aircraft has taken off from the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Attached to its underside is the company’s Pegasus XL rocket containing the eight CYGNSS microsatellites. Launch remains scheduled for 8:40 a.m. EST. From now until then, the crew aboard the L-1011 will work through …
Launch Team ‘Go’ for L-1011 Takeoff
The Orbital ATK Stargazer L-1011 aircraft carrying the Pegasus XL rocket and NASA’s CYGNSS spacecraft has been cleared for takeoff at 7:37 a.m. EST. Launch time is targeted for 8:40 a.m. Stand by for takeoff.
Stargazer Taxis to Runway
The Stargazer aircraft has moved into position end of the Skid Strip runway 13 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Meet the L-1011 Flight Crew
Here are the pilots and flight engineers charged with delivering the Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket to its drop point 39,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. From left to right are pilots Ebb Harris and Bob Gordon, chief pilot Don Walter, flight engineer Bob Taylor, ret. Chief pilot Bill Weaver, and flight engineer Mark Kenny.
New Launch Time: 8:40 a.m. EST
Launch managers now are targeting the drop and launch of the Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket with NASA’s CYGNSS spacecraft for 8:40 a.m. EST. The L-1011’s anticipated departure time is now 7:37 a.m., allowing time for the pilot to navigate around some precipitation on the way to the drop point. This adjusted timeline keeps NASA …
Fog Situation Beginning to Improve
Now that the sun has risen, the fog already has lifted to a half-mile of visibility at the Skid Strip runway at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and in other areas has improved a bit beyond that, according to NASA Launch Commentator George Diller. The L-1011’s engines are being powered on and we’re standing by …
Ground Fog May Delay Takeoff
At the Skid Strip runway at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the Stargazer aircraft and a NASA F-18 chase plane provided by the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California are preparing for takeoff. Due to heavy fog in the area, discussions are on the way among launch managers and Launch Weather Officer Mike …
Launch Now Set for 8:30 a.m. EST; Weather Forecast Remains 60 Percent ‘Go’
Good morning from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, or CYGNSS, spacecraft is scheduled to launch this morning. The launch time has been adjusted to 8:30 a.m. EST, although the one-hour launch window remains the same and opens at 8:19 a.m. Times throughout the blog will be …