#static fire

SpaceX is preparing for their second launch within two weeks with yesterday’s successful completion of the Inmarsat-5 static fire test.  The company is hoping to perform a launch roughly every two weeks in order to clear their backlog of flights caused by two mishaps. Four launches - Inmarsat-5, CRS-11, BulgariaSat-1 and Iridium NEXT flight 2 are all expected to launch from Kennedy Space Center before the end of June. Remote cameras atop LC-39A’s Fixed Service Structure captured this unique view looking down on the Falcon 9 rocket. The vehicle is seen without its payload or payload fairings - standard practice after the Amos-6 satellite was destroyed in a mishap during that mission’s static fire test in September 2016.

Liftoff of the Inmarsat-5 mission is slated for 7:20pm EDT on Monday, May 15. The satellite can be seen undergoing prelaunch processing below.

“Sparky, your girlfriend wants her coffee.” Skye frowned a little at Grant’s words, despite herself. He was still annoyed at her. He only called her ‘your girlfriend’ when talking to Lincoln when he was annoyed with her. But he obviously wasn’t that mad, or he’d be ignoring her existence completely.

Skye looked over at Lincoln as he approached, taking Grant’s place at the register. Lincoln shrugged helplessly. “He just needs a little bit more time. I’ve been trying to talk him around… I’ll make sure he comes home for dinner.” Grant had, more than once, slept at his friend Trip’s place, after a fight with Lincoln or Skye, she knew.

It wasn’t a matter of punishing them so much as giving himself distance to calm down. Still, she hated it, and she knew Lincoln did too.

“Let him know I’ll order his favorite,” Skye said, forcing a small smile to her face.