'Everything is looking good' - No landing lights and a heat shield made of 18,000 tiles
Most other companies would not be pushing a rocket of this size this hard, this fast - but SpaceX is a little bit different, according to an astronomer. "They're hoping it works but they're giving signals that they won't be disappointed if it doesn't work because if SpaceX are good at one thing they're good at failing and then finding out why and then putting it right the next time."The company's countdown has started with around 35 minutes until take-off.
"This programme could be the launchpad for hugely exciting scientific research. I'm convinced that collaboration with commercial operators like SpaceX is vital for pushing the boundaries and enabling this new era of deep space exploration."Analysis by Tom Clarke, science and technology editor