Falcon 9 launch scheduled for Friday

SpaceX is now targeting Friday, June 4th for the first test launch attempt of its Falcon 9 craft, according to news posted yesterday on the company's web site. SpaceX: 

It’s important to note that since this is a test launch, our primary goal is to collect as much data as possible, with success being measured as a percentage of how many flight milestones we are able to complete in this first attempt. It would be a great day if we reach orbital velocity, but still a good day if the first stage functions correctly, even if the second stage malfunctions. It would be a bad day if something happens on the launch pad itself and we’re not able to gain any flight data.

If we have a bad day, it will be disappointing, but one launch does not make or break SpaceX as a company, nor commercial spaceflight as an industry. The Atlas rocket only succeeded on its 13th flight, and today it is the most reliable vehicle in the American fleet, with a record better than Shuttle.

If the weather cooperates, SpaceX will provide a live webcast of the launch events beginning 20 minutes prior to the opening of the four hour launch window at 11a ET. A second four hour-window will open on Saturday, June 5.

SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corporation were selected in 2008 by NASA to ferry cargo to the International Space Station following the retirement of the Space Shuttle. As such, the scheduled Falcon 9 flight is an important milestone for commercial space.

Wayne

Image credit: SpaceX