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Post Info TOPIC: Falcon 1 rocket
Blobrana


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RE: Falcon 1 rocket
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Problems were encountered during the launch-pad test on Thursday.
SpaceX has postponed the launch of the Falcon 1 rocket.
A check of the launch software was unsatisfactory for launch and the test firing of the Falcon 1's engine was postponed.
A new launch date is placed at two weeks time.

"After analysing data from the static fire countdown, we decided to postpone the launch. The vehicle is being lowered for further investigation. Once we have thoroughly checked out all systems, I will post an update on what was found and when the next countdown attempt will occur. Based on range availability and logistics constraints, a rough guess would be two to four weeks." - Elon Musk, company founder and chief executive officer.

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Blobrana


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SpaceX has pushed back the launch of its Falcon 1 rocket by 24 hours in order to conduct a countdown test.
The launch is now scheduled for 21:00 GMT (4 pm EST) February 10, at the launch site in Kwajalein.

SpaceX will conduct a countdown test and brief test-firing of the rocket's main engine on Thursday. If no problems take place during the test, SpaceX plans to proceed with the Friday launch.

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Blobrana


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Gordon Cooper
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One of the first Americans to orbit the Earth will make a final voyage into space when his ashes are rocketed into space aboard the Falcon one.

The ashes of Gordon Cooper, who was part of Project Mercury that sent the first Americans into space, will join those of 'Star Trek' actor James Doohan on a Falcon One rocket.

"Gordon always would have taken another space flight had he the opportunity. This was the next best thing. He certainly wouldn't have said 'No'. Gordon firmly believed that after you die you can still observe what was most important to you in life. I have a feeling he will be very much aware of what's going on" - Suzan Cooper, widow.

Cooper died in his home in Ventura, California, in October 2004 at the age of 77.

Cooper was the last of the seven Mercury crew members to reach space, but his Faith 7 mission was the longest as he completed 22 orbits in a trip that lasted more than 34 hours to evaluate the effects of spending one day in space.
Two years later, Cooper commanded the Gemini Five mission, on which he and Charles Conrad orbited Earth for eight days, setting an endurance record.

The launch date for the "Explorers Flight" hinged on the success of the maiden flight of a Falcon One rocket slated for February 8 in the Marshall Islands.

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Blobrana


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The SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket will launch the Air Force Academy's cadet-built FalconSat-2 science spacecraft at 00:30 GMT February 9 (7:30 p.m. EST on Feb.8).

The two-stage rocket will place the cube-shaped FalconSat-2 into a 250 by 310 mile orbit inclined 39 degrees to the equator. The satellite will probe space plasma that can impact communications and GPS navigation accuracy

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Blobrana


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The new launch time has been announced as February 8 at 9:30 GMT. (4:30 pm California time) with February 9 as a backup day.

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Blobrana


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The apparent cause of structural damage was due to high winds.
SpaceX placed the countdown on hold and began draining the fuel tank. As they drained fuel from the 1st stage tank, a faulty pressurisation valve caused a vacuum condition in the tank. This caused a fuel tank barrel section to deform and suck inward.
The root cause was an electrical fault with a valve, not structural design.
It appears that no other damage was sustained to the vehicle or the satellite. The rocket was lowered down and placed in its hangar for further inspection.

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Blobrana


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"Launch is scrubbed for the year. We noticed a structural issue with the first-stage fuel tank that will require repair." - Elon Musk, SpaceX's founder and chief executive officer.

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Blobrana


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The launch range will close for the festive period on the 21st December, so the next available launch opportunity is January at the earliest.

"We did find a structural issue on the first stage fuel tank. It will require repair" - Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX vice president of business development.

Additional information on the problem will be released by SpaceX shortly.

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Blobrana


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The Launch of the first Falcon 1 rocket has been scrubbed until early next year.

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Blobrana


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Officials are waiting for the winds to ease before proceeding with the launch attempt of the first Falcon 1 rocket.



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