After months of delays and investigation, SpaceX is back in operation. Many people are looking to see where SpaceX and the space program is headed. The SpaceX Falcon 9 has successfully launched.
Last September 1 a Falcon 9 exploded while getting ready for launch. Now a new Falcon 9 rocket has made a successful launch from Vandenberg Air Base in California. The Falcon 9 rocket has a payload of satellites for Iridium Communications Inc. in order to improve its network of communications satellite.
The Falcon 9 rocket had its first stage separate nine minutes after launch. The first stage booster then landed upright on a droneship. This is part of SpaceX's program to make rocket boosters be reusable for future launches. For many years rocket boosters have been jettisoned by other agencies without reusing them again.
The successful launch is seen as an important step in the SpaceX space program. Lined up are 70 more launches. Much of its success is hinged on each successful launch made by SpaceX. Many of the launches by SpaceX are commercial launches, though some of its missions also involve carrying supplies to the International Space Station.
For the launch last January 14, the Falcon 9 rocket delivered 10 communications satellites for Iridium Communications Inc. The launch was made at 9:54 a.m. Pacific, or 12:54 p.m. Eastern. The launch has been successful after the January 7 launch was aborted due to inclement weather. The satellites have been deployed 59 minutes after liftoff, according to Space.com.
SpaceX hopes to have more successful launches in the future. The program is rebounding after the September 1 accident which destroyed the Falcon 9 rocket along with its payload. An investigation has been made about the accident by NASA, the FAA and the Air Force, as Fox News reports.
The investigation has just been concluded, and its result has been revealed as well. The investigation has found out that the helium tank on the second stage booster had a breach. Measures are being made to redesign the helium tank for more safety.
More launches are planned for Iridium with SpaceX. Six more are scheduled with each one carrying 10 satellites into orbit. The future seems bright for SpaceX. The SpaceX Falcon 9 has successfully been launched. SpaceX has also announced when the Falcon Heavy would be launched.
