After a period of investigations that lasted around 5 months, SpaceX is finally back to launching rockets, getting its wings back in January. The company is now striving to reach its fastest launch pace to make up fot all the time lost after the Falcon 9 explosion and towards that, is already eying its next rocket launch.
SpaceX is hoping to make its first launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A, on the 18th of this month. The mission will involve its CRS-10 projecting a Dragon capsule to the International Space Station. The capsule will be carrying tons of supplies and equipment for the astronauts currently calling the ISS home.
SpaceX tweeted:
Targeting Feb. 18 for Dragon’s next resupply mission to the@Space_Station — our 1st launch from LC-39A at @NASA‘s Kennedy Space Center.
The first launch from the new facility was actually supposed to be a commercial one wherein, SpaceX was going to be delivering a commercial EchoStar satellite into orbit. However, the mission was later pushed to February end after SpaceX scheduled a flight to the ISS on the 18th of the month.
Among other things, the capsule will also be carrying a brand new instrument that will be mounted outside the ISS and will study the ozone layer.
Meanwhile, the launch is important for two reasons: One, it is the company’s second attempt at flying in the wake of the September explosion and two, it will also be the company’s inaugural flight from the LC-39A launchpad.
Adding another pad to its ranks will allow SpaceX to increase it launch speed and start sending stuff into space. At the last count, the company had billions of dollars of projects that were delayed after the September mishap that saw a Falcon 9 rocket explode along with an internet.org satellite. It is probably eager to clear arrears and take up more projects and generate funds for its ultimate, mars project.
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It could take off on the 14th as well which is the actual scheduled launch date.
http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/