I know HN readers have a love affair with SpaceX but my dad's company is launching a rocket on Thurs at Vandenberg and it should be fun to watch:<p><a href="http://www.noozhawk.com/article/atlas_v_set_for_launch_from_vandenberg_thursday_20131202" rel="nofollow">http://www.noozhawk.com/article/atlas_v_set_for_launch_from_...</a>
Launch, MECO, stage sep, second stage is running now.<p>Update: Second stage engine cutoff (SECO), now coasting until second stage reignition.<p>Update 2: Second stage reignition should occur at 3:08pm PST (about 6 minutes from now) and burn for about 1min 11 seconds.<p>Update 3: "second stage restart burn successful. Orbit looks nominal" - @SpaceX<p>Update 4: "Spacecraft separation confirmed! SES-8 is now in its targeted GEO transfer orbit." - @SpaceX
Saw the 1st stage doing some RCS maneuvers right after separation, but they cut the camera away from that shot pretty quick so I couldn't see exactly what. They're not supposed to be trying to "land" this one, but I bet they're getting aero data in support of the F9-R.<p>All in all, looks like a good launch. Can't wait to hear about the second burn, which was last flight's sticking point.
Somehow I forgot to mention Elon Musk's Twitter feed: <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/elonmusk</a>. Always a good read.