Update: High winds and rain at Vandenberg Air Force Base caused SpaceX to cancel Monday’s mission, according to Iridium. The launch is now scheduled for January 14 at 9:54 a.m. PST.
After completing its investigation into the explosion of a Falcon 9 rocket in September, it appears SpaceX is ready to resume launches.
The private commercial space company stated earlier this week that it had found and corrected the problem that led to the explosion and would launch another rocket Sunday, but the launch reportedly has been delayed one day. Satellite communications company Iridium, whose Next satellites will be carried into orbit by the Falcon 9 rocket, confirmed the launch is scheduled for 10:22 a.m. PST.
Iridium is excited to share we're planned to launch on Monday, Jan 9 at 10:22am PST weather permitting. https://t.co/wiHgvdD6lk #IridiumNEXT
— Iridium Corporate (@IridiumComm) January 6, 2017
SpaceX’s investigation found the September 1 explosion in Cape Canaveral, Florida, came from a problem with helium tanks in the rocket’s second stage, a detailed explanation of which can be found here.
In a tweet Thursday night, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk stated pre-launch tests of the rocket had been completed and the launch was scheduled for next week.
Hold-down firing of @SpaceX Falcon 9 at Vandenberg Air Force completed. All systems are go for launch next week.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 5, 2017
The Falcon 9 rocket will carry 10 Iridium Next satellites into orbit as part of a constellation that will bring faster data speeds to business aviation.
This time the rocket will be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
