SpaceX /Orbcomm Launch Set for Friday, June 20

orbcommfairing

The much anticipated,  but oft delayed launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying 6 Orbcomm OG2 satellites has been reset for this Friday, with a backup slot open on Saturday.  The latest delay was triggered when Orbcomm  elected to perform further investigations regarding an undisclosed problem on one of the six satellites.  The issue apparently resolved, all six satellites are encapsulated aboard the Falcon 9, which successfully completed a static fire on Friday, June 13.

One upshot of the recent series of delays is that the new launch time, set at 6:08 pm ET will allow for an attempted first stage recovery effort to take place with ample daylight remaining on one of the longest days of the year. The weather forecast currently calls for a 30% chance of rain on Friday.

Perhaps of greater interest, the marine forecast in offshore waters could not be better, with calm winds and very placid 2-3′ seas. In the case of a local weather delay on Friday, the same forecast will hold for Saturday. In short, if the Falcon 9 first stage can manage to repeat the controlled re-entry and hover performance it displayed on the CRS-3 flight which took place in far worse conditions, the odds of a successful recovery appear to be as strong as they are ever likely to be at this stage of the program.

Posted in: SpaceX

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