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As it happenedended

SpaceX launch live blog: Latest updates as Falcon 9 rocket set to explode

Elon Musk says dramatic abort test will see Falcon 9 rocket 'destroyed in Dragon fire'

Anthony Cuthbertson
Sunday 19 January 2020 12:04 GMT
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SpaceX rocket explodes mid-flight in astronaut 'abort test'

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SpaceX has launched and exploded a 500-tonne rocket in mid-air as part of the last major safety test before sending astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

The In-Flight Abort Test saw the Falcon 9 rocket experience a planned "rapid, unscheduled disassembly" shortly after take-off.

The launch was originally planned for Saturday but was postponed until Sunday due to adverse weather conditions.

Sunday's launch was delayed three separate times but a six-hour launch window allowed it to eventually lift-off at 10.30am ET (3.30pm GMT).

Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load.

With just over 90 minutes to go until the launch, we've got time to hear from SpaceX about what today's test hopes to achieve:

This test, which does not have Nasa astronauts onboard the spacecraft, is intended to demonstrate Crew Dragon's ability to reliably carry crew to safety in the unlikely event of an emergency on ascent.

If the In-Flight Abort Test is successful, the Crew Dragon capsule will separate from the Falcon 9 rocket shortly after lift-off at the moment of "peak mechanical stress".

While the rocket experiences a "rapid, unscheduled disassembly", the Crew Dragon spacecraft will deploy its parachutes and float safely to the ground.

SpaceX and Nasa can then begin planning for crewed missions to the ISS using Crew Dragon.

anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 13:27

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared a video simulation of what these first crewed flights will look like. It's impressive.

anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 13:42

No astronauts will be onboard the Crew Dragon today, however Nasa's Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will be suited up to rehearse the experience.

Hurley (right) was two years old when Nasa first sent astronauts to the moon.

anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 13:57

T minus 1 hour

anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 14:00

Another delay!

anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 14:13

That puts us another 30 minutes back.  

Here's what the updated launch schedule looks like:

  • 10.10am ET (3.10pm GMT) - Nasa live stream of launch begins
  • 10.30am - Launch of In-Flight Abort Test
  • 10.40-9.30am - Falcon 9 rocket explosion
  • 12pm - Post-test news conference
anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 14:15

While we wait, here's a picture of some spacesuits.

The one on the left is the one worn by Neil Armstrong when he landed on the moon in 1969.

The one on the right is what astronauts will be wearing when they travel aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft.

anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 14:22

Around half an hour until the live stream begins. We'll share a link to watch it as soon as it's live.

This is what the launch site looked like around 20 minutes ago.

anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 14:42

Nasa just shared a helpful animated graphic showing how the In-Flight Abort Test should take place.

anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 14:55

Just over 20 minutes to go now until launch. Weather permitting.

Live streams of the launch are about to begin on NASA TV and SpaceX's website.

anthony.cuthbertson19 January 2020 15:07

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