Technical Glitch Aborts SpaceX Launch of 1st Newly Improved Falcon 9 in Final Seconds at KSC, Reset to May 11

First newly improved SpaceX Block 5 Falcon 9 booster vents gaseous oxygen in the final seconds of countdown before aborting planned May 10, 2018 liftoff with Bangabandhu-1 geocomsat for Bangladesh on Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. Launch reset to May 11. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

Ken Kremer  --   SpaceUpClose.com  --   11 May 2018

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL –  A technical glitch in the final seconds of the countdown leading up to the first launch of the newly improved Falcon 9 Block 5 booster built by Elon Musk’s SpaceX aborted Thursday’s planned May 10 blastoff from the Florida Space Coast with Bangabandhu-1; the the 1^st ever geostationary communications satellite for the nation of Bangladesh. 

Launch has been rescheduled to Friday afternoon, May 11.

The launch was unexpectedly aborted automatically at T Minus 45 seconds due to a "standard ground system auto abort" SpaceX said later after the 22-story tall rocket had been fully fueled and was vigorously venting vaporized liquid oxygen propellant in its gaseous form from the second stage.

Liftoff from historic seaside Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida has been reset to Friday afternoon, May 11, after SpaceX engineers reviewed the telemetry.

“Standing down today due to a standard ground system auto abort at T-1 min,” SpaceX tweeted.

“Rocket and payload are in good health—teams are working towards tomorrow’s backup launch opportunity at 4:14 p.m. EDT, or 20:14 UTC.”

The May 11 launch window again extends slightly over two hours; opening at 4:14 p.m. EDT (2014 GMT) and closing at 6:21 p.m. EDT (2221 GMT).  

This newest and last major upgrade to the Falcon 9 is dubbed the Block 5 version. The rocket on pad 39A is the first built Block 5 rocket.

At a prelaunch media telecon SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says numerous improvements built onto the Block 5 Falcon 9 will significantly increase the reliability and reusability of the Falcon 9 including faster turnaround with less maintenance and fewer refurbishments.

Up close landing leg view of first upgraded SpaceX Block 5 Falcon 9 booster ahead of planned with Bangabandhu-1 geocomsat for Bangladesh on Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, reset to May 11. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

Musk expects each Block 5 rocket to launch 10 times before requiring any appreciable maintenance or refurbishments.

Up close nose cone and grid fin view of first upgraded SpaceX Block 5 Falcon 9 booster ahead of planned with Bangabandhu-1 geocomsat for Bangladesh on Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, reset to May 11. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

The weather outlook for Friday has improved and is currently favorable. The official forecast issued last night by the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron indicates a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions at launch time, compared to 60% earlier.

The primary concern is for the Thick Cloud Layer Rule.

In case of a 24 hour delay, the forecast drops to a 60% chance of favorable weather conditions at launch time. The primary concern remains for the Thick Cloud Layer Rule and Cumulus Cloud Rule.

Watch for Ken’s continuing onsite coverage of NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Orbital ATK and more space and mission reports direct from the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida and Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia.

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