SpaceX postpones launch of Falcon 9 reusable rocket

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will not lift off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Saturday. There are problems with the rocket, but it is expected that they can be solved quickly, making a launch on Sunday a possibility.

Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, tweeted know that it is slated to launch on Sunday, if the test data looks good. Although the Falcon 9 rocket is already vertically on the launch pad became Problems were detected on Friday in a test that examined whether the systems functioned properly during static ignition. The launch is part of the Orbcomm mission, which involves launching satellites into orbit.

For SpaceX, the launch of the Falcon 9 is an important undertaking. A previous launch of such a rocket in June went wrong, and the craft exploded shortly after takeoff due to problems in a fuel tank. Extensive pre-launch testing should therefore prevent this from happening again, and ensure that SpaceX is allowed to continue launches for NASA in the future.

The space company also wants to ensure that it can use the Falcon 9 rocket multiple times. To do this, it had to land on a sea platform that was specially made for the landing. In previous attempts it always went wrong and the missile had to be considered lost. At the upcoming launch, SpaceX wants to land on the ground, rather than on the sea platform. Furthermore, SpaceX has adapted the rocket in such a way that there is more power to adjust during the landing.

In addition to the unmanned flights, including those to the International Space Station, there are also plans for manned missions. SpaceX competes with Boeing for the first manned mission to the space station. NASA will later determine which company is eligible for this. However, the space agency has agreed with Boeing on Friday that at least two manned missions will be flown. That decision followed a number of successful test rounds with the CST-100 Starliner that Boeing plans to use for the missions. Currently, the Americans are still dependent on the Russians for manned flights.