Graham Sutherland / PolynomialArtemis II launch is approaching T-20m until launch!
RF folks: am I right in thinking that the three big masts surrounding the launch pad are supporting big helical antennas on the top? big white corkscrew looking things pointing directly up.
speaking of which it looks like they got a radio glitch on the telemetry, a single sample lost to 5s of radio lock loss (0.1Hz transmit period). they're on a hold to investigate but have concluded that it's not a violation.
checks complete, radio lock restored, no constraints, hold cleared, everyone reports go for T-10m to launch!
crew's response to go check was "FULL SEND!", gotta love it
seems it took them a minute to do some busywork but they just continued T-10m
"somebody asked if there's a launch button and there certainly is not" gotta love the public lol
they retracted the walkway. launch abort system is armed, liquid hydrogen pressurisation is underway.
final checks underway on the RS25 cryo engines. just T-3m30 now
why is the gimbal test cute 😂 wiggle wiggle
all systems go, T-60s to launch
ALS takeover!
just a few seconds now
approaching max-Q
throttle down to 85%, SRBs separated
fairing jettisoned, they're going strong!
all four engines made it all the way to MECO! always nice to get nominal when you only need 3/4 to get you there
core stage separation was one hell of a view
onboard camera feeds seem to be a bit iffy, but otherwise everything looks good
250 miles from earth
Ret@gsuberland lucky fuckers