MISSION UPDATE: Dragon Capsule Has Reached Orbit

Falcon 9 rocket successfully test fires nine engine first stage.
The commercial spaceflight company SpaceX successfully test fires the nine-engine first stage of its first Falcon 9 rocket on March 13, 2010 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. (Image credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX)

Dragon Capsule Has Reached Orbit
4 June 2010 2:55 p.m. EDT

Falcon 9's second stage engines have shut down and its mockDragon 9 capsule has reached orbit.

Falcon 9 First Stage Separates
4 June 2010 2:50 p.m. EDT

Falcon 9's first stage has separated from the second stage,which will continue traveling to space.

LIFTOFF! Falcon 9 Launches
4 June 2010 2:46 p.m. EDT

SpaceX has lifted off its Falcon 9 rocket on its inauguralflight.

Falcon 9 Could Launch at 2:45 PM
4 June 2010 2:17 p.m. EDT

A new launch target time for SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket hasbeen set for 2:45 p.m. EDT (1845 GMT).

"Everything looks good for a reset and another launchattempt today," SpaceX commentator Robyn Ringuette said.

SpaceX May Try Again to Launch Falcon 9 Today
4 June 2010 2:07 p.m. EDT

A new launch target time has not been set yet, but SpaceXsays it still has time to recycle the countdown and try again to launch itsfirst Falcon 9 flight.

Last-Minute Abort for Falcon 9
4 June 2010 1:33 p.m. EDT

SpaceX aborted its planned launch test of Falcon 9 when aglitch showed up at the very last minute. There could still be a chance to tryagain today, SpaceX said.

Falcon 9 Go for Launch
4 June 2010 1:13 p.m. EDT

The countdown has resumed toward a launch for Falcon 9 at1:30 p.m. EDT.

Falcon 9 to Launch No Earlier Than 1:30 PM
4 June 2010 1:07 p.m. EDT

SpaceX is now aiming for a launch of its Falcon 9 no earlierthan 1:30 p.m. EDT, allowing time for a? boat that had strayed dangerouslyclose to be moved clear to safety.

Stray Boat Further Stalls Falcon 9 Launch
4 June 2010 12:56 p.m. EDT

A boat has apparently strayed too close to the Falcon 9launch pad, further stalling the planned liftoff.

Falcon 9 Now Aiming for 1 PM Launch
4 June 2010 12:42 p.m. EDT

SpaceX is working to resolve the telemetry issue for apossible 1 p.m. EDT launch time. The weather remains go for launch.

SpaceX Troubleshooting Blocked Signal
4 June 2010 12:22 p.m. EDT

SpaceX is trying to sort through an issue with theinformation coming from its Falcon 9 rocket. The strongback structure onthe launch pad has been clocking telemetry signals from the vehicle, thecompany said, so SpaceX is troubleshooting that issue now.

Click here for launch commentaryfrom Spaceflight Now.

First Falcon9 Launch Temporarily Stalled
4 June 2010 12:01 p.m. EDT

Commercial rocket firm SpaceX is still holding in thecountdown to launch its Falcon 9 for the first time. The rocket is fully loadedwith its liquid oxygen and liquid kerosene fuel.

"Weather continues to be favorable for our launchtoday," SpaceX commentator Robyn Raguette said. "We are still waitingfor our new T-zero time."

Falcon 9 Holding at T-15
4 June 2010 11:30 a.m. EDT

The inaugural flight of the Falcon 9 rocket is still holdingat T-15 minutes. SpaceX commentator Robyn Raguette says the range has askedthem to hold to check telemetry. The rocket and weather are currently in green,or "go" conditions.

Falcon 9 Liftoff Time Pushed Back
4 June 2010 11:23 a.m. EDT

SpaceX has pushed back the planned liftoff time of itsFalcon 9 rocket, which was slated to launch at 11:20 a.m. EDT. The range isasking the company to hold while they check out telemetry connections. Thecountdown is currently holding at T-15 minutes.

Countdown Underway for First Launch of Private Rocket
4 June 2010 11:06 a.m. EDT

The countdown is underway for the first launch of SpaceX'sFalcon 9 rocket today. Weather forecasters predict a 60 percent chance offavorable weather for the flight.

SpaceX Prepares to Launch Private Rocket for First Time
4 June 2010 10:56 a.m. EDT

Private company SpaceX is preparing to launch its Falcon 9rocket on its maiden launch test this morning at 11:20 a.m. EDT (1520 GMT). Thecompany has a four-hour window in which to launch.

Watch the livewebcast here.

Read SPACE.com's previewstory here.

 

 

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Clara Moskowitz
Assistant Managing Editor

Clara Moskowitz is a science and space writer who joined the Space.com team in 2008 and served as Assistant Managing Editor from 2011 to 2013. Clara has a bachelor's degree in astronomy and physics from Wesleyan University, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She covers everything from astronomy to human spaceflight and once aced a NASTAR suborbital spaceflight training program for space missions. Clara is currently Associate Editor of Scientific American. To see her latest project is, follow Clara on Twitter.