Nasa Peregrine 1 launch: Peregrine lunar lander sends first signals from orbit after successful launch – as it happened

Latest news: lunar lander expected to reach the moon by end of February, the first US lander there for 50 years

Here are some pictures of the rocket at Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida from the last couple of days. The 62m tall (202 ft) Vulcan Centaur rocket was rolled out to the launchpad on 5 January ahead of today's planned launch, which is currently on track for about half-an-hour's time.

United Launch Alliance spokesperson Amanda Sterling has said everything is on track for launch at this stage.

We are currently holding at T-minus seven minutes as part of our planed 60 minute hold, and the team is not working any issues at this time.

The Vulcan booster is fuelled to flight level with super-chilled liquid oxygen and liquid methane ... and the ULA team is on track for an on-time lift off at 2.18am Eastern (7.18am GMT).