Bart Leahy <\/p>\n
February 8th, 2017 <\/p>\n
SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Stations Space Launch Complex 40 with NASAs CRS-6 mission to the International Space Station on April 14, 2015. Photo Credit: SpaceX <\/p>\n
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. The launch of aSpaceXFalcon 9 rocket with NASAsCargo Resupply Services10 (CRS-10) mission is now targeted forFeb. 18. The launch of the cargo variant of SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft is expected to mark the rebirth ofone of KSCs most iconic launch sites LC-39A. <\/p>\n
Some 4,473 pounds (2,029 kilograms) of pressurized and 2,154 pounds (977 kilograms) of unpressurized cargo will be aboard the CRS-10 Dragon capsule bound forthe International Space Station (ISS). It will take to the skies during an instantaneous (one second long) launch window. <\/p>\n
While any number of factors could have caused the launch to be set for this date, a report appearing on Universe Today suggestsit was due to the mission having not receivedits Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) license. <\/p>\n
Previously, on Jan. 30, the NewSpace companydecidedto change the order of its launch manifest to move CRS-10 before to the launch of the EchoStar 23 communications satellite. <\/p>\n
A SpaceX statement stated: This schedule change allows time for additional testing of ground systems ahead of the CRS-10 Mission The launch vehicles, Dragon, and the EchoStar satellite are all healthy and prepared for launch. <\/p>\n
This will be thefirst launch from LC-39A since the final Space Shuttle mission, STS-135, in July 2011. In 2014, the NewSpace firm signed a 20-year lease on the complex. Since then, it has been modifying it to be able to process and launch Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. <\/p>\n
Changes to LC-39A include the addition of a horizontal integration facility (HIF), a rail system to carry rockets from the HIF to the pad, and a Transporter Erector (TE) attached to the top of the pad. <\/p>\n
CRS-10 will also mark SpaceXs first launch from the East Coast since the Sept. 1, 2016,launch pad explosionat Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station just south of Kennedy Space Center. That accident saw the complete loss of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the $195 million Amos 6 satellite, and the destruction of much of the launch service equipment at SLC-40. <\/p>\n
SpaceFlight Insider reached out to both NASA and SpaceX in order to confirm the new launch date. SpaceX responded with the following: Our current guidance is NET mid-February. Before that, it was NET February []. <\/p>\n
On Feb. 8, 2017, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) held a teleconference, during which it was stated that the launch would take place on Friday, Feb. 17. Shortly thereafter, SpaceX issued a tweet stating that they were targeting Feb. 18. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Tagged: CRS-10 Falcon 9 Launch Complex 39A Lead Stories SpaceX <\/p>\n
Bart Leahy is a freelance technical writer living in Orlando, Florida. Leahy's diverse career has included work for The Walt Disney Company, NASA, the Department of Defense, Nissan, a number of commercial space companies, small businesses, nonprofits, as well as the Science Cheerleaders. <\/p>\n
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First SpaceX flight from Launch Complex 39A slated for Feb. 18 - SpaceFlight Insider<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Bart Leahy February 8th, 2017 SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Stations Space Launch Complex 40 with NASAs CRS-6 mission to the International Space Station on April 14, 2015. Photo Credit: SpaceX KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. Continue reading