But The FAA Must Approve The Company's Plans

SpaceX could return to flight by the middle of the month if the FAA approves its next launch, according to SpaceX customer Iridium Communications.

Iridium CEO Matt Desch said in a news release that the company has "remained confident in SpaceX's ability as a launch partner" since it suffered a launch pad explosion at Cape Canaveral, FL on September 1. "We are grateful for their transparency and hard work to plan for their return to flight.  We are looking forward to the inaugural launch of Iridium NEXT, and what will begin a new chapter in our history," he said.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said that the loss of the booster and payload was something that has "never been encountered before in the history of rocketry."

The launch is scheduled on December 16 at 12:36 p.m. PST from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, according to a news release from Iridium.

"We are looking forward to return to flight with the first Iridium NEXT launch," said Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX. "Iridium has been a great partner for nearly a decade, and we appreciate their working with us to put their first 10 Iridium NEXT satellites into orbit."

(Image from file)

FMI: www.iridium.com