Planned January Launch Is Not A Done Deal

While SpaceX says it is ready to resume launching satellites into orbit aboard its Falcon 9 boosters, but the FAA says it is not so sure.

Wired reports that SpaceX posted on its website that it hopes to return to flight in January with the launch of Iridium-1. That payload will include 10 satellites for the Iridium NEXT constellation. The deal, signed in 2010 and would eventually see the launch of 72 spacecraft, is worth $492 million to SpaceX.

While SpaceX says it is "finalizing" its investigation into the September 1 launch pad explosion which cost it a booster and payload, and is working on the final modifications necessary to ensure a safe and reliable return to flight, the FAA says the January launch schedule is optimistic at best.

An FAA spokesperson told Wired that "They have not completed their investigation and therefore they do not have an (FAA launch) license.”

Approval of that license by the agency will depend on the scope of the modifications necessary to prevent a recurrence of the launch pad explosion. The spokesperson said that before the license is granted, the agency "needs inspectors in place, we have to have air traffic control aware, we have to review payload. It could take a little while."

(Image from file)

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.spacex.com