Friday, April 03, 2009

Live at the Cape: Atlas V Nearing Launch

An Atlas V rocket is in final preparations for liftoff at 8:31 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 41.

The countdown has entered a final 10-minute hold at T minus four minutes.

All systems were "go" during a poll of launch managers.

You can watch a United Launch Alliance webcast of the launch here.

An anomaly with pressurization of the first stage booster's RP-1 fuel tank is not a considered a threat to the launch.

Weather conditions are good, with winds having subsided.

The countdown's final hold provides managers an opportunity to tackle any late-breaking issues. If any arise, the launch window extends until 9:33 p.m. if anything arises.

The 192-foot United Launch Alliance vehicle is carrying a 13,200-pound military communications communications satellite built by The Boeing Co.

It's the second of five planned for launch, with the third coming later this year.

No comments: