SpaceX Falcon 1 launch scrubbed - again

Published: Dec 19, 2005
Source: www.space.com



It was a structural issue, not high winds, which scrubbed the private launch firm SpaceX’s second attempt to send its first Falcon 1 rocket into orbit Monday.

SpaceX officials found the problem with the rocket’s first stage almost three hours into the rocket’s eight-hour launch window. Prior to the discovery, winds in excess of 24 knots at its island launch site looked set to delay liftoff. The rocket’s spaceflight debut has been pushed into early 2006.

“The launch is scrubbed for the year,” said SpaceX chief Elon Musk in an e-mail update to the firm’s El Segundo, California headquarters. “We noticed a structural issue with the first stage fuel tank that will require repair.”

Further details on the structural glitch will be provided a soon as they are available, SpaceX officials said, adding that the rocket must be made safe for ground crews before engineers can track the problem at the launch pad.

"I expect that the earliest that launch would occur is late January," Musk said. "Third time's the charm."continue..