Series of Technical Glitches Leads SpaceX to Suspend Falcon 9 Rocket Launch

Space Exploration Technologies has announced that it has postponed the launch attempt of its next Falcon 9 rocket until early July because of many technical glitches that have occurred in the system.

SpaceX has been making efforts since Friday to send a Falcon 9 rocket on a satellite-delivery mission from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch is for Orbcomm Inc, which is known to provide machine-to-machine data and messaging services worldwide.

But, the fourth launch has been delayed until Tuesday due to spate of technical problems. "SpaceX is taking a closer look at a potential issue identified while conducting pre-flight checkouts during (Sunday's) countdown. SpaceX will stand down Tuesday while our engineering teams evaluate further", said SpaceX.

The company said that it will work with the Eastern Test Range, which supports launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, for the next available opportunities.

However, it is expected, based on a previously scheduled maintenance period for the Range, the SpaceX will be able to fly in the first week of July at the earliest.

After a potential technical problem occurred in the rocket's upper-stage engine, a launch attempt had to be suspended on Friday. SpaceX did not reveal any information about the issue, but the technical problem was fixed by the company and the launch was once again set to take place on Saturday.

However, that time poor weather at the launch site prevented the launch from happening. And when the launch was rescheduled for Sunday, another technical glitch nixed the attempt. The rocket will carry six communication satellites into obits about 500 miles above earth.


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