Falcon 1 Flight 4
Where is Flight 4 now? Click here.
Posted September 28, 2008
Post Launch Statement
Wow, this is a great day for SpaceX and the culmination of an enormous amount of work by a great team. The data shows we achieved a super precise orbit insertion — middle of the bullseye — and then went on to coast and restart the second stage, which was icing on the cake.
I will have a more complete post launch statement tomorrow, as right now I'm in a bit of a daze and need to go celebrate :)
--Elon--
A. Launch of the Falcon 1 Flight 4 vehicle from Omelek Island, in the Kwajalein Atoll, 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. Liftoff occurred Sunday 28 September 2008, at 4:15 PM (PDT), 23:15 (UTC).
B. The critical stage separation sequence began about 2 minutes and 37 seconds into flight with shutdown of the Merlin first stage engine, then separation of the first and second stages, followed by ignition of the Kestrel second stage engine.
C. A few seconds after second stage ignition, the fairing (nose cone) that covers the payload section separates from the vehicle and falls to Earth.
D. About nine and a half minutes after launch, the second stage engine shuts down, and the Falcon 1 becomes the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to orbit the Earth.
MEDIA RESOURCES
Click the links below to access the following resources:
- Company Website
- Press Release: SpaceX Successfully Launches Falcon 1 to Orbit September 28, 2008
- Electronic Press Kit
- Video Footage (available shortly after launch)
- Email your name/affilitation to media@spacex.com to be added to the SpaceX press list.
All media inquiries should be directed to Diane Murphy, VP, Marketing and Communications at 310.363.6714 or media@spacex.com.
Mission Updates
The latest pictures and information leading up to launch will be posted here, with the most recent at the top.
Posted September 27, 2008
Flight 4 of Falcon 1
Falcon 1 is currently cleared for liftoff sometime between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. (California time) tomorrow, Sunday September 28th. Of course, if we see anything that requires investigation, the launch will be postponed, but we?ll let you know as soon as we know. As with prior flights, you can access the webcast from the SpaceX site: www.spacex.com
--Elon--
Photo caption: Falcon 1 Flight 4 vehicle on the launch pad at Omelek island, Kwajalein Atoll.
Posted September 23, 2008
Flight 4 of Falcon 1
The static fire took place on Saturday [20 Sep 2008, CA time], as expected, and no major issues came up. However, after a detailed analysis of data, we decided to replace a component in the 2nd stage engine LOX supply line. There is a good chance we would be ok flying as is, but we are being extremely cautious.
This adds a few extra days to the schedule, so the updated launch window estimate is now Sept 28th through Oct 1st [CA time].
--Elon--
Posted September 19, 2008
Flight 4 of Falcon 1
As mentioned in my update last month, we do expect to conduct a launch countdown in late September — as scheduled.
Having said that, it is still possible that we encounter an issue that needs to be investigated, which would delay launch until the next available window in late October. If preparations go smoothly, we will conduct a static fire on Saturday and launch sometime between Tuesday and Thursday (California time).
The SpaceX team worked hard to make this launch window, but we also took the time to review data from Flight 3 in detail. In addition to us reviewing the data, we had several outside experts check the data and conclusions. No flight critical problems were found apart from the thrust transient issue.
Flight 5 production is well underway with an expected January completion date, Flight 6 parts are on order and Flight 7 production will begin early next year. We are now in steady state production of Falcon 1 at a rate of one vehicle every four months, which we will probably step up to one vehicle every two to three months in 2010.
--Elon--
Expedited delivery — SpaceX purchased a C-17 flight from the USAF to fly the Falcon 1 Flight 4 vehicle from Los Angeles International to the Kwajalein Atoll.
SpaceX's Falcon 1 Flight 4 on the launch pad at Omelek Island in the Kwajalein Atoll of the Marshall Islands (19 Sep 2008).