SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Delayed, Revamped Space Shuttle Not Yet Ready, Launch Moved On Feb

SpaceX delayed the launch of its Falcon 9 space shuttle because of the longer time needed for rocker preparations. The Falcon 9 rocket is planned to bring the EchoStar into space. The launch is moved, yet again, and is expected to resume on mid-February.

As reported by Space, the Falcon 9, which was used by NASA in 2011, needed more time to prepare after the accident last year when Falcon 9 rocker burst into flames during a preflight test. The said preparations includes the time needed for additional testing of ground systems ahead of CRS-10 mission. It is planned to be launched on Pad 39A which is located at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The team focused on preparing the Pad 39A ready and then it began rebuilding the damaged pad. It is announced earlier that SpaceX plans to put EchoStar 23 satelite on Falcon 9 last year. The plan was delayed to late January this year. The targeted lauch for the space shuttle is now February 15.

According to Spaceflight Now, the Falcon 9/Echostar 23 launch was delayed, together with the Proton/Echo Star 23 and Falcon /SES10 flights, because of some additions. It is not certain if the company plans to re-use the Falcon 9 rocket after its first stage. If they put the EchoStar in space, it is impossible to fly back to because there will be no propellant left.

The EchoStar satellite is from EchoStar Corp and will provide direct-to-home television broadcast services over Brazil. The CRS-10 Dragon Cargo mission to the Internation Space Station will now be going ahead of the EchoStar launch. It will also be launched in the SpaceX leased Kennedy Space Center.

"This schedule change allows time for additional testing of ground systems ahead of the CRS-10 Mission," SpaceX said in a statement. "The launch vehicles, Dragon, and the EchoStar satellite are all healthy and prepared for launch."

Both flights are expected to use an expendable Falcon 9. After these flights, SpaceX will launch the SES-10 satellite. The SES-10 launch will likely happen in early March.