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SpaceX Successfully Launches Satellite Into Earth Orbit

by Staff Writers
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 14, 2009
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces the successful launch of Falcon 1 and delivery of Malaysia's RazakSAT into the correct orbit.

"This marks another successful launch by the SpaceX team," said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. "We are pleased to announce that Malaysia's RazakSAT, aboard Falcon 1, has achieved the intended orbit."

Falcon 1, a two-stage, liquid oxygen/rocket-grade kerosene vehicle designed and manufactured by SpaceX, lifted off Monday, July 13, at 8:35 pm (PDT). Lift off occurred from the Reagan Test Site (RTS) on Omelek Island at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii.

RazakSAT was designed and built by Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn Bhd (ATSB), a pioneer and leader in the design and manufacture of satellites in Malaysia.

"Our ground systems were able to pick up communication from RazakSAT on its first pass," said Norhizam Hamzah, Senior Vice President / Chief Technical Officer, Space Systems Division, ATSB.

"The satellite is communicating as expected and our team will continue to monitor the data closely."

Preliminary data indicates that the RazakSAT, equipped with a high resolution Medium-Sized Aperture Camera (MAC), achieved the intended Near-Equatorial Low Earth Orbit (NEqO) at 685 km altitude and a 9 degree inclination.

The payload is expected to provide high resolution images of Malaysia that can be applied to land management, resource development and conservation, forestry and fish migration.

Space X Falcon 1 RazakSAT Launch Report
via Space X staff

Posted July 13, 2009 - 22:20 PDT

Second burn and satellite separation nominal. Falcon 1 has successfully deployed RazakSAT into the correct orbit.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:47 PDT

This completes our live RazakSAT Mission broadcast. Thanks for joining us!

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:46 PDT

T+:00:09:50 We have SECO. RazakSAT in parking orbit

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:45 PDT

T+:00:09:30 Seeing some drop outs in telemetry and video...

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:44 PDT

T+:00:08:45 May lose signal as we approach SECO

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:43 PDT

T+:00:08:00 RazakSAT spacecraft will be deployed after short second burn

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:43 PDT

T+:00:07:25 Approximately 2 minutes from SECO

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:42 PDT

230km altitude, well beyond official boundary of space.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:41 PDT

Still seeing nominal flight

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:40 PDT

Kestrel fires for over 6 minutes on its way to orbit.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:39 PDT

Coming up to fairing seperation. Video choppy but fairing came off beautifully.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:38 PDT

T+:00:02:41 MECO, stage sep and Kestrel ignition

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:38 PDT

T+:00:02:41 MECO, stage sep and Kestrel ignition

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:37 PDT

T-+:00:01:20 Max-Q

T-+:00:01:05 Vehicle transonic, about to go supersonic

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:36 PDT

T-+:00:00:40 Vehicle has begun moving downrange

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:36 PDT

T-+:00:00:00 We have liftoff!

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:35 PDT

T-00:00:30 and counting.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:35 PDT

T-00:01:00 and counting.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:34 PDT

T-00:02:00 and counting.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:32 PDT

Engine is lit about 2.5 secs prior to liftoff. If anything is outside pre-prescribed parameters we shut down before lift off. Range in short red, will go green shortly.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:31 PDT

Vehicle has already seen wet dress rehersal and static fire in April.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:29 PDT

Vapor coming up is condensation from Liquid Oxygen vents.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:28 PDT

SpaceX has approximately 2 dozen people on the ground at Kwaj to support. Control center has been on console for about 8-10 hours.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:27 PDT

Terminal count has begin. Transporter erector being retracted from vehicle.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:26 PDT

About to start T-00:10:00 countdown.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:25 PDT

Countdown clock is at T-00:11:00 and counting. All systems are ready.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:22 PDT

Completed weather briefing. Projected to be green at Tzero. Resumed countdown.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:15 PDT

Three small logos on the Falcon 1 today--ATSB, MOSTI and Angkasa. ATSB, Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhdm is our customer, MOSTI is the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation and Angkasa, the Malaysian Space Agency.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:12 PDT

Returning to audio broadcast of live broadcast of Falcon 1 RazakSAT mission.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:06 PDT

Quick break from audio broadcast. Back to live visual of Falcon 1 on the pad at Omelek.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:02 PDT

Overview of the Falcon1.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 20:00 PDT

RazakSAT is headed for nearly same orbit as previous Falcon 1. Check orbit at Heavens-above.com.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 19:58 PDT

Tzero expected at approximately 20:35 PDT. Taking a closer look at RazakSAT satellite.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 19:55 PDT

Launch delayed to later half of launch window due to issue loading Helium. Ground system has been repaired. Range is green except for weather which is reason for hold

Posted July 13, 2009 - 19:55 PDT

Welcome the live RazakSAT Mission webcast.

Posted July 13, 2009 - 19:52 PDT

Audio commentary to begin at approximately 19:55 PDT

Posted July 13, 2009 - 19:49 PDT

Audio commentary to begin at approximately 19:55 PDT

Posted July 13, 2009 - 19:40 PDT

Countdown clock going into hold for weather. Estimated T-zero at 20:35 PDT.

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