Orion Launch Day, Take One

Orion is sitting at Cape Canaveral, just waiting for the wind to die down to launch. Launch was scheduled for 7:05a.m. EST but wind shear safety protocols have delayed the launch. 

I'm sitting here with my two-year-old anxiously waiting to hear that unmistakable roar of the rockets and that plume of white smoke burst out from underneath Orion. 

As I listen to Mission Control say go or no go for launch, I remember all the space movies I watched as a kid. We watched Apollo 13 in middle and high school as a part of science class. We talked about the Challenger disaster and how far we've come in the space program.

Even Orion is having some problems. Launch has been delayed now because one of the drain valves won't close in the launch procedures, causing an abort and reset. 

Despite the fact that launch has been delayed and then re-delayed, you can't help but be excited, (like a kid at Christmas) waiting to hear go for launch. 

As I wait for them to continue the launch cycle, I remember that this is a test flight of Orion, which is unmanned. If successful, Orion will take a 4 1/2 hour flight that will include two loops around earth.

Today's launch is the 24th Delta rocket launch. The Delta rockets on Orion are the biggest NASA has created yet. That's no small feat!!

Just a little tidbit of information for you this is the first launch in almost 40 years that will end up in the Pacific ocean since the last Apollo mission in 1975. Orion is set to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after 4 1/2 hour flight (NASA commentator, 2014). 

At 9:34a.m. EST the launch for today was scrubbed and a 24 reset cycle set. The launch was scrubbed to ensure that the nitrogen value issue is completely resolved. They also had to manually shut off the wind monitors if they had tried to proceed with today's launch.

I am totally disappointed but I think we all want to see a successful and problem free launch. 

Stay tuned for my next Orion post that will cover the next launch mission attempt. As always, keep your eyes to the sky and #keepitnerdy. 

Written by: Jenn Massa

Photo Credits: Jenn Massa