Falcon 1 launch postponed
Posted: Mon, Dec 19, 2005, 7:57 PM ET (0057 GMT)
The inaugural launch of SpaceX's Falcon 1 small launch vehicle has been delayed until early 2006 because of a problem with the rocket. The Falcon 1 was scheduled to lift off from Omelek Island, part of Kwajalein Atoll, at 2 pm EST (1900 GMT) Monday, carrying the Falconsat 2 satellite into low Earth orbit. While initial reports indicated that the launch was momentarily delayed because of high winds, SpaceX officials later said the launch was scrubbed after technicians discovered a "structural issue" with a fuel tank in the rocket's first stage. The problem will take some time to correct, and the company now expects the launch to be delayed until at least late January. A launch attempt in late November was scrubbed when an open valve allowed liquid oxygen to escape from the rocket during a weather-induced delay. SpaceX, established by Internet entrepreneur Elon Musk, is developing the Falcon line of vehicles with the hopes of reducing the cost of space access. Musk has invested approximately $100 million of his own money in the company.
The inaugural launch of SpaceX's Falcon 1 small launch vehicle has been delayed until early 2006 because of a problem with the rocket. The Falcon 1 was scheduled to lift off from Omelek Island, part of Kwajalein Atoll, at 2 pm EST (1900 GMT) Monday, carrying the Falconsat 2 satellite into low Earth orbit. While initial reports indicated that the launch was momentarily delayed because of high winds, SpaceX officials later said the launch was scrubbed after technicians discovered a "structural issue" with a fuel tank in the rocket's first stage. The problem will take some time to correct, and the company now expects the launch to be delayed until at least late January. A launch attempt in late November was scrubbed when an open valve allowed liquid oxygen to escape from the rocket during a weather-induced delay. SpaceX, established by Internet entrepreneur Elon Musk, is developing the Falcon line of vehicles with the hopes of reducing the cost of space access. Musk has invested approximately $100 million of his own money in the company.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
FAA restricts hours for commercial launches during shutdown
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 9:05 AM ET (1405 GMT) China postpones Shenzhou-20 return on orbital debris concerns
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 8:58 AM ET (1358 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, November 13
Firefly Aerospace identifies cause of Alpha test anomaly
NasaSpaceFlight.com — 4:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Firefly Plans Alpha Pad Return For Lockheed Martin Demo By Early 2026
Aviation Week — 4:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Alpha launch expectations lift Firefly despite Q3 losses
Austin (TX) American-Statesman — 4:11 am ET (0911 GMT) The Bright Side: Scientists witness supernova's early stages for the first time
France 24 — 4:09 am ET (0909 GMT) France steps into the space race
Defence24 — 4:06 am ET (0906 GMT) |
