Falcon 9/Dragon – Countdown Timeline
This timeline is for the retired Falcon 9 v1.1 launch vehicle, see the Falcon 9 FT Countdown for the modified vehicle’s countdown procedure.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| L-15:00:00 | Dragon Power Up (can occur earlier for late Cargo Load) |
| L-13:30:00 | Countdown Initiation, Launch Vehicle Power-Up |
| L-13:30:00 | F9 Checks – Comm, Avionics, Propulsion, FTS |
| L-5:00:00 | Launch Area Evacuation |
| L-3:50:00 | Liquid Oxygen Loading |
| L-3:40:00 | Rocket Propellant 1 Loading |
| L-3:00:00 | Taking complete |
| L-3:00:00 | LOX Replenish |
| L-1:40:00 | Comm & FTS Checks |
| L-1:00:00 | Weather Briefing |
| L-0:13:00 | COUNTDOWN HOLD POINT |
| L-0:13:00 | Launch Director Poll |
| L-0:11:00 | Terminal Count Briefing |
| T-0:10:00 | Terminal Countdown |
| T-0:09:55 | Verify that Terminal Countdown has started |
| T-0:09:50 | Range Recorders Start |
| T-0:09:45 | Launch Enable to Flight Mode |
| T-0:09:30 | First Stage Merlin Engine Chilldown, Pre Valves to Open |
| T-0:09:17 | Merlin 1D: Lox Bleeder Valves Open |
| T-0:08:15 | Engine Trim Valve Cycling |
| T-0:07:30 | Go/No Go for Launch |
| T-0:07:00 | Dragon to Internal Power |
| T-0:06:45 | Heater Shutdown |
| T-0:06:10 | Falcon 9 to Internal Power |
| T-0:05:55 | Pressurization for Strongback Retract |
| T-0:05:30 | Strongback Cradles Opening |
| T-0:05:30 | Dragon configured for Solar Array Power Generation |
| T-0:05:30 | Dragon Countdown Auto Sequence |
| T-0:05:00 | Second Stage Nitrogen Loading Termination |
| T-0:04:46 | Stage 1 & Stage 2 Auto Sequence starts |
| T-0:04:30 | Stage 2 Thrust Vector Control Bleed |
| T-0:04:25 | Strongback Retraction |
| T-0:04:10 | Vehicle Release Auto Sequence |
| T-0:03:40 | TEA-TEB Ignition System Activation |
| T-0:03:30 | Strongback Retraction complete |
| T-0:03:25 | Flight Termination System to Internal Power |
| T-0:03:10 | Flight Termination System Armed |
| T-0:03:02 | LOX Topping Termination |
| T-0:02:45 | Strongback Securing complete |
| T-0:02:45 | Fuel Trim Valve to Flight Position |
| T-0:02:20 | Propellant Tank Pre-Press |
| T-0:02:00 | Align Flight Computers to Self Alignment |
| T-0:02:00 | Range Verification |
| T-0:02:00 | Flight Control to Self Alignment |
| T-0:01:35 | Helium Loading Termination |
| T-0:01:30 | Final Engine Chilldown, Pre-Valves/Bleeders Open |
| T-0:01:20 | Engine Purge |
| T-0:01:00 | Flight Computer to start-up |
| T-0:01:00 | Pad Deck Water Deluge System Activation |
| T-0:00:50 | First Stage Thrust Vector Actuator Test |
| T-0:00:40 | Propellant Tank Pressurization |
| T-0:00:25 | All Tanks at Flight Pressure |
| T-0:00:15 | Arm Pyrotechnics |
| T-0:00:10 | Latest VC Abort |
| T-0:00:03 | Merlin Engine Ignition |
| T-0:00:00 | LIFTOFF |
