Live coverage of the countdown and launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with the Paz radar observation satellite for Hisdesat of Spain. SpaceX’s live video coverage begins at approximately 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT; 6 a.m. PST). Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter.
News
NASA opens competition to build human-rated lunar landers
Companies have until Nov. 1 to submit proposals to NASA for a human-rated lander that could be ready in time to carry astronauts to the moon’s surface by the end of 2024, and the agency is leaving open the option for contractors to develop a descent craft that would bypass the planned Gateway mini-space station in lunar orbit, at least for the first landing attempt.