Quote:
Originally Posted by blueash
A launch window from 11:30 PM tonight, Monday 24th, until 3:30 AM Tuesday for the SpaceX Falcon Heavy lift off and booster recovery should be a visual treat. Clear skies are expected. Look slightly south of due east and you will see the flame of 3 boosters joined together producing the most powerful launch vehicle on earth.
You can watch online HERE to see if the mission lifts off on schedule. You will see the rocket's red flare a few seconds after lift off as it needs some elevation before we can see it over our horizon.
Keep watching and you may be able to see side engine cut off at 2:27 after liftoff and the side boosters separation. The two side boosters are to be brought back to Canaveral and you will see them reignite as the engines slow the fall back to earth. There are two burns, one 2:49 secs after liftoff. The center engine remains burning until 3:27 when it shuts down and the second stage ignites ten seconds later. The two side boosters have an intense landing burn beginning at 7:13 after takeoff to bring them to a safe landing side by side. The center booster will be invisible as it is to be recovered nearly 800 miles out in the Atlantic on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You". This compares to a usual location much much closer to the Florida coastline.
Details on the exact time of each event can be seen HERE
Go outside and watch this. You need a clear view to the east. Binoculars are not particularly useful. This is all naked eye amazement. The SpaceX website will keep you up to date on each event with live streaming beginning about 20 minutes before the launch window opens [11:10 PM] |
Nice synopsis of the launch, Blueash. Thank you for this.