Ares 1-X Launch

If everything goes right, today NASA will launch the new Ares 1-X Rocket. Launch window opens at 7:00 AM ET.

NASA Link: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/flighttests/aresIx/...

Watch Live!
NASA TV Link: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html ( needs plug-in)

7:00 Update: T minus 36 min and counting. Parts of the vertical stabilization system is being pulled away. These are the arms that hold the rocket in place before launch.

7:37 Update: T minus 4:00 and we have entered into a planned 20 min hold. No major issues working right now, but they are running behind on the checklist. You can hear the tension in the voices of the controllers as they try to get back on schedule. Weather looks ok for now, but if the hold last too long cloud cover may move into the area.

8:25 Update: Have extended the hold until 9:20 at this time. Seeing some drop outs in the telemetry from the vehicle that they are trying to track down. Also there is some concern about upper level wind speeds. Hope to launch at 9:24

9:07 Update: Launch control has signed off on the upper level winds! Looks like they are a go for the 9:24 lift-off!

9:20 Update: Had to extend hold till 9:40. Had a problem getting a cover off of a probe on top of Ares. Also had to wait for clearance on electrical conditions in the atmosphere. By 9:30 All weather conditions have been cleared. Range is go for launch. Pad is clear of all personal

9:33 Update: A cargo ship has entered into the launch area and this has caused an extension to the hold. As of now they are estimating up to a 90 min hold, but are trying to clear the ship sooner.

9:43 Update: Cargo ship has been cleared somehow. Would have loved to been a fly on the wall for that one. Clock reset, less then 2 min till we come out of hold.

9:47 Update: Clock stopped at -2:39 due to cloud cover. Planes flying back into area to determine when the clouds will clear. Clock reset to 4:00 min and holding.

10:00 Update: Looks like we are on hold for at least 50 min as they wait for the skies to clear. At this time a launch is looking kind of slim, but if the clouds clear then they will go. Launch window is till noon.

11:20 Update: Launch is scrubbed for the day. Will reconfigure and reset the clock for a try tomm. :(