Posted on 01/10/2006 8:13:54 PM PST by KevinDavis
The new launch time for Space X's maiden launch of its Falcon 1 rocket is February 8, at 4:30 p.m. California time, with Feb. 9 as a backup day. We will actually be ready to launch earlier, but are planning to spend extra time reviewing and double-checking all vehicle systems.
Following the problem on Dec. 19, we flew a whole new first stage to Hawaii via C-5 just in time to catch the barge from there to Kwaj a few days before New Year's Eve. The new stage should arrive at Kwaj in about a week, whereupon we will switch it out with the damaged unit, which will be sent back to California for repair. The repair is not particularly difficult or expensive, but can only be done properly in a factory setting.
(Excerpt) Read more at spacedaily.com ...
I hope Musk can get this thing launched, he's going to become a laughing stock if this keeps up.
That is true...
True, although at least he's kept a reasonable agreement between claimed capability and demonstrated hardware - contrast with the Canadian X-Prize team (arrow or something like that) who still claimed to be in the race after SS1's first flight (without even a full-scale engine run).
Plus, as an Academy grad, I'm looking forward to another FalconSat getting off the ground.
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