SpaceX planning next Falcon launch in days
Posted: Sun, Sep 21, 2008, 9:57 AM ET (1357 GMT)
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) may conduct its next Falcon 1 launch as early as September 23, pending final tests, the company announced late Friday. According to a company statement, the vehicle, carrying a dummy payload, is on the pad at the company's facility on Omelek Island, part of Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, with a launch window extending from Tuesday through Thursday. That launch date is pending last-minute tests, including a static engine firing that was scheduled for Saturday. The first three Falcon 1 launches all failed to place payloads into orbit; the most recent one, in early August, failed because of residual thrust from the first stage engine caused that stage to collide with the second stage after stage separation. That problem has been corrected by extending the delay between engine cutoff and stage separation, and SpaceX said that no other issues were found with that launch.
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) may conduct its next Falcon 1 launch as early as September 23, pending final tests, the company announced late Friday. According to a company statement, the vehicle, carrying a dummy payload, is on the pad at the company's facility on Omelek Island, part of Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, with a launch window extending from Tuesday through Thursday. That launch date is pending last-minute tests, including a static engine firing that was scheduled for Saturday. The first three Falcon 1 launches all failed to place payloads into orbit; the most recent one, in early August, failed because of residual thrust from the first stage engine caused that stage to collide with the second stage after stage separation. That problem has been corrected by extending the delay between engine cutoff and stage separation, and SpaceX said that no other issues were found with that launch.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Space Force adds Rocket Lab and Stoke Space to NSSL contract
Posted: Sun, Mar 30 9:19 AM ET (1319 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, April 4
‘Mind-boggling’: Space Force chief fires off dire warning about Chinese capability to knock out US satellites
Fox News — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) How China is expanding its anti-satellite arsenal
Defense One — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Rocket Lab And Stoke Space Join U.S. NSSL Lane 1 Vendor Pool
Aviation Week — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Olivia Munn criticizes all-female Blue Origin space crew: ‘What’s the point?’
The Independent — 5:50 am ET (0950 GMT) Olivia Munn slams ‘gluttonous’ female Blue Origin crew going to space: ‘People can’t afford eggs’
New York Post — 5:49 am ET (0949 GMT) |
