GPS 2F Launch Delay Pushes SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Test to June
[Satellite TODAY 05-27-10] United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) postponed Delta 4 launch of the U.S. Air Force’s Global Positioning System 2F-SV1 satellite (GPS 2F-SV1) has pushed SpaceX’s first test launch of Falcon 9 to no earlier than June 2, SpaceX confirmed May 26.
The Falcon 9 test launch was originally scheduled to happen between March and May. In April, the launch was pushed back again to May 8 in order to account for the rocket’s Flight Termination System (FTS) certification process and a U.S. Air Force safety review.
SpaceX is working with its FTS component supplier, Ensign Bickford Aerospace & Defense Co., to complete testing and provide final safety data to the Air for review and acceptance.
SpaceX will use the Falcon 9 to perform three flights of the Dragon spacecraft under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services contract to demonstrate delivery of cargo to the International Space Station as well as returning cargo to Earth.
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