from the going-for-a-lack-of-boom-this-time-around dept.
SpaceX says:
We are finalizing the investigation into our September 1 anomaly and are working to complete the final steps necessary to safely and reliably return to flight, now in early January with the launch of Iridium-1. This allows for additional time to close-out vehicle preparations and complete extended testing to help ensure the highest possible level of mission assurance prior to launch.
This may be optimistic:
"They have not completed their investigation and therefore they do not have an (FAA launch) license," said an FAA spokesperson. The FAA said the time it would take to grant a license to SpaceX depends on how big a fix they propose to address the cause of the fire; SpaceX has previously said they believe the problem lies with helium in the liquid oxygen propellant tank. The accident occurred two days before the flight's scheduled liftoff.
Also at Reuters and Space.com.
Related Stories
Two SoylentNews readers sent us this story:
SpaceX concludes AMOS-6 explosion investigation
SpaceX has just released the concluding update to their investigation into the explosion that abruptly terminated the AMOS-6 while the rocket was still being fueled. It confirms the failure of a composite overwrapped pressure vessel inside the second stage LOX tank, and identifies several credible causes. SpaceX believes it now understands the problem well enough to avoid it going forward, and is hoping to return to flight with the Iridum NEXT launch on Jan 8.
SpaceX to Hopefully Resume Launches This Sunday
SpaceX has concluded its investigation into the September 1st accident and will attempt to return to launching satellites starting on January 8th:
An accident investigation team "concluded that one of the three composite overwrapped pressure vessels inside the second stage liquid oxygen tank failed," SpaceX said Monday in a statement on its website. The September failure was likely because of an oxygen buildup or a void in the buckle in the liner of the vessel, the company said.
At this time however SpaceX has not gotten the FAA's approval to resume operations.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates commercial space ventures, still is reviewing the mishap.
"The FAA has not yet issued a license to SpaceX for a launch in January," the agency said by e-mail Tuesday.
Also at Ars Technica and USA Today.
Previously: Spacecom Seeks $50 Million or a Free Flight After SpaceX Rocket Explosion
NASA Advisory Committee Skeptical of SpaceX Manned Refueling Plan
SpaceX Identifies Cause of September Explosion
SpaceX Delays Launches to January
(Score: 3, Informative) by Snow on Thursday December 08 2016, @05:09PM
That sucks. I really like watching their launches live through their livestreams.
I was also looking forward to the Falcon Heavy demontration flght, but I guess we'll have to wait a little longer for that.
I hope this doesn't cause delays with Red Dragon (The Mars lander demonstration).
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 08 2016, @11:56PM
I wonder if the recovered boosters are a useful resource for resolving this issue.
Perhaps looking inside a recovered tank will provide a clue.
Perhaps they could use one of the boosters as a test unit for multiple fuel and de-fuel cycles.