SpaceX's first Falcon 9 demonstration flight for NASA is being pushed back to early November to give technicians, engineers and managers additional time to prepare for the launch.The Falcon 9 and a Dragon cargo carrier are being targeted for liftoff Nov. 8 or Nov. 9 at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, company spokeswoman Kirstin Brost said in an e-mail. The mission had been scheduled to blast off Sept. 23.
Originally slated to fly in 2008, the demonstration flight is being carried out under a $1.6 billion NASA contact aimed at developing a commercial capability to launch supplies and equipment to the International Space Station. The contract calls for three test flights and 12 missions to deliver cargo to the station.
SpaceX Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Elon Musk is talking with NASA officials about the potential to complete all developmental milestones in two flights rather than three. The company is targeting mid-2011 for the first of the 12 operational missions to the station.
No comments:
Post a Comment