The first flight of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is now being targeted for launch no earlier than next Friday. The window for the test flight, which had been slated for Wednesday or Thursday, will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.SpaceX officials said the final processing of Air Force range safety documentation has been held up as a result of delays in the launch of a Delta IV rocket with a military navigation satellite.
Originally slated to launch May 20, the Delta IV blasted off late Thursday.
SpaceX and subcontractor Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Co. of Simsbury, Conn., have been working with the Air Force to qualify the Falcon 9's Flight Termination System for flight.
The system comprises a series of small explosives that could be used to deliberately destroy the rocket if it careened out of control and threatened cities and towns surrounding Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Once the final approvals are given and related documentation is completed, the California-based company will be cleared to launch the Falcon 9 fro Launch Complex 40 at the Air Force base.
3 comments:
GO SPACEX!!!!!
Go SpaceX! Show the world the future. The more access to space, the better for the United States and for humanity.
I'm going on a tour of the Hawthorne plant with Oasis on June 18. Can't wait.
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