Technology Slice Blog

SpaceX Rocket Launch Delayed - The first demonstration flight of SpaceX's Falcon 9 commercial spacecraft for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program has been postponed. The launch, scheduled for today, has been postponed by at least one day, following the discovery of a crack. The launch window extends until Thursday, and the rocket remains on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. During a routine review of close-out photos of the rocket on Monday, SpaceX engineers discovered a three-inch crack in the engine nozzle on the rocket's second stage. SpaceX hasn't yet made a decision on whether to repair the crack or ship a replacement part from California. Known as COTS (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services) 1, the launch is the first flight of the Dragon spacecraft and the first commercial attempt to re-enter a spacecraft from orbit. It's the first of three test launches currently planned in the Falcon 9 test flight series. The plan is to ...