Would Be First Launch For The Company Since Losing A Rocket June 28th

SpaceX may launch its first Falcon 9 rocket since a losing a booster in June later this week.

The launch, currently planned for December 19, would carry 11 Orbcomm OG2 satellites into orbit, according to Orbcomm. The launch window is set for 2000 and 2100 EST.

SpaceX has not launched a Falcon 9 rocket since the June 28 breakup of a booster on a mission to resupply the ISS. That failure was traced to the failure of a strut in the rocket's upper stage oxidizer tank. SpaceX has reinforced those struts for future launches.

USA Today reports that SpaceX had originally planned to complete both the Orbcomm launch and one for Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES before the end of the year. But both will now launch on the upgraded, and slightly more powerful Falcon 9. The SES launch has been pushed into 2016.

SpaceX would like to attempt to land the Falcon 9 booster back at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for possible reuse, but founder Elon Musk did not say whether that landing attempt has been approved.

The Orbcomm launch would be the seventh for SpaceX in 2015.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.spacex.com