Update (10:47 Pacific): Launch is now scheduled for 19:00 UT (11:00 Pacific). There are low clouds at 6000 feet interfering with the launch.
Live webcam of the Pluto New Horizons launch:
OK, so here we go again. High winds stopped the first try, and a power outage in Maryland stopped the second.
But New Horizons is still on the pad, waiting to launch. The window for launch opens at 18:08 Universal time (10:08 a.m. Pacific) and runs until 20:07 UT (12:07 Pacific).
The links you want:
- The launch info is at Kennedy Space Center.
- NASA TV has a live view.
- The New Horizons Pluto mission website.
In other news, the Stardust folks had a press conference this morning, but it was at 8:00 my time, when I had to take the Little Astronomer to school. I only saw the last few minutes, but clearly the team is very pleased with how things went. If anyone saw it, then feel free to chat in the comments section.
January 19th, 2006 at 10:54 am
fingers crossed, go, go, go
January 19th, 2006 at 11:02 am
All systems are GO!
January 19th, 2006 at 11:06 am
1:25 new launch time.
January 19th, 2006 at 11:07 am
You know, if I’d have that weather here, I’d callthat a nice day.
January 19th, 2006 at 11:14 am
1:30, now.
A few clouds cause at the very beginning of a 32 AU trip is the least of their worries. Let’s just go!
January 19th, 2006 at 11:22 am
I saw a couple of images, while at work (shhh!! don’t tell!) and waiting for the Pluto launch, and I remember them showing a picture of some of the bits of asteroids’ impacts on the aerogel…. Very impressive!!!
They also have shown the path that stardust took to intercept with the comet. That is also a prestty impressive feat, to be able to go a couple of times around the sun, and intersect a very small object millions of kilometers form us…. and then managing to get to change course, come back to earth, and deliver a package.
I wonder if Canada Post, or Fedex could do that with the same precision of execution?
Also notice that the delivered package, aside being a little burnt, had nothing broken in it…. 
Hats off, guys!
January 19th, 2006 at 11:55 am
Chips? Go!
Cola? Go!
Peanuts? Go!
January 19th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
LIFTOFF!
January 19th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Horray!!!
Man that thing lifts off fast. I guess I’m just used to the space shuttle with its fragile biological cargo.
January 19th, 2006 at 12:06 pm
Excellent launch. I can only hope I’ll still be around in 2015 when it hits Pluto.
January 19th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
That Live TLM Data simulation is cool!
January 19th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
WOW!!!! What an incredible and truly exhilirating moment to watch that rocket rise !!
0 to 6800 mph in under 2 minutes….. THAT is acceleration…..
January 19th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
When is it slated to reach Jupiter for the gravity assist?
January 19th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Way to go, couldn’t connect to the NASA webcams, too busy I expect, but amazingly live coverage on Sky News (nothing on CNN!).
Very quick to go and climb rate was staggering, way to go!
January 19th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Saw it live on NASA TV a few minutes after 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC). It was beautiful!
In 9 days it will go past the moon and in just a short 10 years we’ll get pictures of Pluto! Can’t wait!
Now, to connect to the other thread what do the astrologers say about the futurwe of this probe? Will Pluto be”in conjunction”? (whatever that means)
January 19th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
Okay, I can answer my own question. The Planetary Society has a page summarizing the mission details. Now that the launch has hit the window for the Jupiter encounter, the expected arrival at Jupiter is February/March 2007.
January 19th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Alexf: It will reach the distance of the Moon’s orbit in about 9 hours!
January 19th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Philippec – have you ever driven a single-seater racing car …?
Dukrous – here’s hoping it won’t HIT Pluto, but will swing by and then explore more of the Kuiper Belt.
Best of luck, New Horizons.
January 21st, 2006 at 1:49 pm
It was an amazing launch! Can’t wait for it to arrive in 2015. I’ll be 47 then and it will be worth the wait.
January 22nd, 2006 at 7:54 am
Tracy, when I read your comment I thought: “Gee, I’m happy that I’m not gonna be that old then”.
Then I realised that I will be 48.