Orion launch: live coverage
Global News is in Cape Canaveral, Fla. for Orion’s test launch. If successful, this historic flight will mark the first time a vehicle designed for human long-duration space travel has been tested since Apollo in the 1960s. Correspondent Aarti Pole along with Nicole Mortillaro, Global News senior web coordinator in charge of science coverage, and Randy Attwood, Executive Director of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, provide analysis, images and updates.
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Global News senior web coordinator Nicole Mortillaro got a behind-the-scenes look at the launch.
LIVE BLOG: Behind the scenes at NASA ahead of Orion launch
Global NewsIn just two days, NASA will launch its test of the Orion spacecraft that will eventually get us to Mars. -
On my way to #florida for the #orion launch ! "Peek inside #NASA’s largest building &home to the newest spaceship" globalnews.ca/news/1703835/p…by Aarti Pole via twitter 12/3/2014 7:50:21 PM -
Orion, baby! She's ready to go. #Orion #NASA http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B37zES9IAAAkDcC.jpg
by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/3/2014 7:50:52 PM -
The Orion launch is a stepping stone to Mars. But why are we hoping to get to the red planet, anyway?
Why are we trying to get to Mars?
Global NewsCosting billions of dollars, why do we bother exploring space at all? Here are some reasons. -
A bunch of sleepy media folk at the KSC News Center. @NASAKennedy #Orion http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3_v4EwCMAAQr00.jpg
by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 7:56:11 AM -
Passing the time building models of Orion (not mine). #Orion http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3_-7bgCQAAH9us.jpg
by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 9:01:58 AM -
Loaded onto the media bus - off to the @NASAKennedy space center. Expected #orion launch at 7:05 am est.#OrionLaunchby Aarti Pole via twitter 12/4/2014 9:14:50 AM
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News Center is buzzing! NASA TV coverage has started and buses are leaving for some viewing sites. #Orion http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4AHJhJCcAAVJMb.jpg
by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 9:37:53 AM -
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.@NASAKennedy press site - countdown clock running #Orion #NASA http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4AODxRIQAAqiBk.jpg
by Aarti Pole via twitter 12/4/2014 10:08:01 AM -
NASA readies for Orion launch, aiming for Mars mission globalnews.ca/video/1707285/…by Aarti Pole via twitter 12/4/2014 10:14:56 AM
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Connection issues here at the Causeway. Having problems tweeting.by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 12:33:55 PM
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Still a hold http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4AvigxCMAALoo2.jpg
by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 12:34:59 PM -
New launch time set for 7:55 am ET. Countdown clock will restart shortly. Let's see if this is a go! #nasa #orion @NASAKennedyby Aarti Pole via twitter 12/4/2014 12:46:34 PM
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Back on hold- wind issues @globalnews : WATCH LIVE: All systems GO for #Orion launch at 7:55 ET bit.ly/1yiSBdh http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4AzXBFCUAIHQXg.jpg
by Aarti Pole via twitter 12/4/2014 12:53:26 PM -
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Sounds like another reason for bold aside from wind violation. Still waiting to hear why.by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 1:10:36 PM
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by Aarti Pole via twitter 12/4/2014 1:16:03 PM
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Please don't tease us anymore! Launch this, baby!by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 1:17:10 PM
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Going the go/no-go runthorough. For the third time this morning.by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 1:19:55 PM
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Fuel and drain valves did not close for one three common coresby Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 1:24:21 PM
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You know, soon I'll be able to recite the countdown go/no-go list myself.by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 1:25:03 PM
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Sounds like they will try to cycle the valve to see if it closes. Did not close all the way.by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 1:27:21 PM
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Two anomalies detected in the liquid oxygen drain valves.by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/4/2014 1:28:11 PM
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Countdown clock back on hold. Excited group of spectators take their seats.. Waiting for the wind to…
by Aarti Pole via twitter 12/4/2014 1:36:05 PM -
This is Randy Attwood in Mississauga. These delays are frustrating of course - especially for Nicole and Aarti. I am reminded of the saying astronauts use during long holds as they sit on the launch pad - "I would rather be on the ground, wishing I was in space than in space, wishing I was on the ground!" You don't proceed until everything is good to go. Launch rules are written months ago when there isn't the "GO FEVER" - everyone wants to light the candle now but it is best to wait for all weather and technical issues to be resolved. -
In the Space Shuttle days, especially since 1998 when the shuttles visited and built the International Space Station, there was a very short launch window - 10 minutes in fact. This was because the shuttle had to launch into the plane of the ISS orbit. You can think of it as a track the ISS is on - it takes tremendous energy to change the plane of your orbit. So if this were a shuttle - or an unmanned cargo mission to the ISS, we would be standing down and trying again tomorrow.
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There is 1 hour left in the launch window - 1 hour left to get off the ground or recycle to tomorrow. The launch window is determined based on various reasons - lighting in the launch and landing areas, the flight path of the Orion, many different variables which determine how long we will sit here and try to launch. Weather for tomorrow looks worse than today - so hopefully the technical problems will be solved and we will go soon.
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The fill and drain valves are closed so that the liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel tanks can be pressurized for launch. They have seen this in the past on previous Delta 4 Heavy launches, they used a workaround successfully then and they are implementing that now - essentially opening and closing the valves 5 times each to ensure they work properly. LOX cycles look good on all three cores - working the hydrogen valves now
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Clock restarted.. Counting down to 7 am ET tomorrow.. #Orion launch rescheduled #nasa http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4BQ_mVIEAAezKa.jpg
by Aarti Pole via twitter 12/4/2014 3:00:26 PM -
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The latest news from the Orion launch:
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Once again, good morning from Cape Canaveral! It's not looking promising, with a 40% chance of a go for the launch of Orion. But who knows?by Nicole Mortillaro via twitter 12/5/2014 8:27:50 AM
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