SpaceX and ORBCOMM have now set Friday, June 20, as the date for next commercial launch of the Falcon 9.
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SpaceX and ORBCOMM have now set Friday, June 20, as the date for next commercial launch of the Falcon 9.
The article is interesting in that it is somewhat critical of SpaceX’s overall failure so far to meet its launch manifest schedules. The point is well taken, but it seems to me that most of the delays were related to getting the upgraded Falcon 9 into operation. Now that this has happened, I expect SpaceX’s launch rate will continue to accelerate.
Please consider donating to Behind the Black, by giving either a one-time contribution or a regular subscription, as outlined in the tip jar to the right or below. Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
SpaceX and ORBCOMM have now set Friday, June 20, as the date for next commercial launch of the Falcon 9.
The article is interesting in that it is somewhat critical of SpaceX’s overall failure so far to meet its launch manifest schedules. The point is well taken, but it seems to me that most of the delays were related to getting the upgraded Falcon 9 into operation. Now that this has happened, I expect SpaceX’s launch rate will continue to accelerate.
Delays are part of the industry and happen for many reasons.
I remember months of delays in the shuttle program.
And I bet if we go by their very first projected launch days the delays would be even longer.
It happens and I am not about to push them to go faster just to give their detractors some point of argument when something catastrophic goes wrong.
The most recent eight days of delay were due to Orbcomm wanting to do more checkout on their six birds. The SpaceX ethos of never launching with a vehicle that is less than 100% seems to be rubbing off on their clients.