SpaceX plans first launch since September's explosion

SpaceX should launch satellites for Iridium Communications on December 16th.

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After three and a half months, SpaceX could launch a new rocket this December. SpaceX grounded its rockets for more than three months after September's Falcon 9 explosion. The company struggled to determine the cause of the accident with Elon Musk stating that the explosion was caused by a "really surprising problem that's never been encountered before in the history of rocketry."

SpaceX plans first launch since September's explosion | TweakTown.com

Musk later said that the cause of the accident was "a combination of liquid helium, advanced carbon fiber composites, and solid oxygen." He also expressed his hope that SpaceX will launch their next Falcon 9 rocket in December.

It seems that might happen on December 16th when SpaceX should launch satellites for Iridium Communications, a company that provides communications services through a constellation of more than 60 satellites.

In an official statement, Iridium Communications said they are looking forward to the cooperation with SpaceX.

Iridium NEXT will be launching on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on December 16, 2016 at 12:36 p.m. PST. Launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Falcon 9 rocket will deliver 10 Iridium NEXT satellites into low-earth orbit. This launch is contingent upon the FAA's approval of SpaceX's return to flight following the anomaly that occurred on September 1, 2016 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The investigation has been conducted with FAA oversight. Iridium expects to be SpaceX's first return to flight launch customer.

NEWS SOURCE:iridiumnext.com

Lana has a passion for technology and science. She spends her time looking for the latest and most interesting technology and science news. Her passion is in gadgets, wearables, and other cool and interesting applications of technology or science. She also spends her free time gaming in MMOs like World of Warcraft. She has prior experience covering technology for publications and breaking news. If she’s not doing either, you might just find her exploring the metaverse in VR. Lana wants to expand TweakTown’s coverage of mobile, wearables and gadgets while also bringing her experience with science and general tech to TweakTown. Her area of coverage is around science, technology, smartphones, wearables, and general neat gadgets. She hopes to one day be able to drive around in her self-driving car while she schedules an appointment for a SpaceX trip to the moon on her smartwatch.

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