Following after the successful launching of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, February 19, 2017, authorities have recently revealed that the mission was considered as a mission of landmark successes that could pave the way for future victories in the aerospace industry. While not necessarily a mission of "firsts," SpaceX executives have added that the launch, which was originally scheduled for February 18, almost didn't even take place since that launch was called off with just 13 seconds remaining. However, on Sunday, blue skies have greeted the SpaceX team and clouds parted to enable a safe flight.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Mission
According to reports revealed by Electronics 360, the Falcon 9 has allegedly delivered the Dragon cargo ship safely to orbit. SpaceX authorities said that the plan is to deliver 5,000 pounds of food, clothing and experiments to the International Space Station (ISS) by February 22. It was found that it has already been six years since NASA's moonshot pad at Launch Complex 39A has seen any action, and it's been nearly half a century since astronauts embarked on the first lunar landings from the exact same spot.
Furthermore, in one of her statements reported by Space, Jessica Jenson, the Dragon mission manager at SpaceX, has described the mission as a super-exciting day. Jenson adds that it's really awesome to see 39A being back to life for the first time since the shuttle era, and adds that it was extremely special that this first launch on 39A was a Dragon mission for NASA to the space station. As of the press time, Jenson is said to be anticipating just a two-week turnaround before SpaceX's next launch from Pad 39A, and the first reused booster will eventually launch from that pad as well.
Future Plans
Meanwhile, SpaceX representatives have revealed that the site was already set to become the primary launchpad for the Falcon 9 Heavy, SpaceX's huge heavy-lift booster. It was found that the Falcon 9 launches will move to a repaired Pad 40 at the nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, which has been damaged last year in a Sept. 1 explosion. Ultimately, Jenson has already confirmed that by the end of this year, SpaceX plans to launch an uncrewed test flight of its Crew Dragon astronaut taxi, which will allegedly be followed by a crewed flight in early 2018.
