Fuelling operations have begun at the Falcon 1 launch site. Launch is on schedule for a 21:00 GMT lift-off. The launch window extends four hours to 01:00 GMT (8 p.m. EST).
A recovery ship has been stationed about 600 miles downrange from the launch site. It will retrieve the first stage, which SpaceX has built to be reusable. The stage carries Global Positioning System equipment, a radio direction finder and two sonar beacons -- one forward and one aft. Ballistic predictions and radar will be used to project the impact point and the rocket's devices will steer the recovery forces to the right spot.
In order to facilitate preparations for a missile defence launch, the Army Space and Missile Defence Command (SMDC) has bumped the SpaceX Falcon 1 maiden flight from its officially scheduled launch date of 1 p.m. California time (21:00 GMT) on November 25.
The new launch time is 1 p.m. California time (21:00. GMT) on November 26.