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Falcon 1 Launch Delayed Until 2006

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the better-safe-than-sorry dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Florida Today is reporting that SpaceX will have to wait until 2006 to launch their Falcon 1 rocket that was scheduled for today. Engineers called off the launch when they noticed structural problems with the first-stage tanks. From the article: 'The Falcon 1 was to be launched from the U.S. Army's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on Kawajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Its payload: an $800,000 space research satellite that was built by cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy.'"

3 of 22 comments (clear)

  1. Oh boy by QuantumG · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Things are not looking good for Elon Musk. Few more delays and people will start cancelling.

    --
    How we know is more important than what we know.
  2. Reagan memorial budget deficit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    > Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site

    Ronald Reagan memorial budget busting vast hole in the ground. At least we never had to hear him say: "terrorist" or "9 11" in every sentence.

  3. Re:What happened? by njchick · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Please don't refer to SpaceX as "we" unless you work there. It's a private business, and it's not using tax money to build rockets. SpaceX needs to be cautious to avoid accidents, or they won't get contracts.

    Speaking of past achievements, let's not forget what happened to the Apollo 1 crew. SpaceX cannot afford even a disaster without loss of life - there is no government behind them, only investors.