SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket Experiences Last Minute Abort of Triple Satellite Launch
What Happened During the Attempted Launch of SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket
The launch was aborted just minutes before liftoff. According to SpaceX, the abort was due to a “technical issue” discovered during pre-flight checks. The company did not provide any further details on the nature of the issue.
The Falcon Heavy rocket was carrying three satellites for the US Air Force’s Space Test Program, including the STP-2 mission, which was set to be the most complex mission ever launched by the Air Force. The mission was intended to demonstrate a variety of advanced space technologies. The satellites on board the Falcon Heavy were also carrying payloads for other organizations, including the Planetary Society’s LightSail 2 mission, which aims to test solar sail technology for propulsion in space.
SpaceX Targets New Launch Date for Falcon Heavy Rocket
Despite the aborted launch, SpaceX has announced that it plans to reschedule the Falcon Heavy launch as soon as possible. The company has not yet announced a new launch date, but it has suggested that the issue that caused the abort has been identified and is being resolved. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the company was “standing down for today” but that it would “transition into a 24-hour recycle and aim for a backup launch opportunity” the following day.
This is not the first delay for the Falcon Heavy rocket. The rocket was originally scheduled to launch in 2013, but the project was delayed by technical difficulties and funding issues. The rocket finally made its debut in February 2018, and has since completed two successful missions, including the launch of a Tesla Roadster into orbit.
Details on the Payload for SpaceX’s Sixth Flight of Heavy-Lift Booster
The Falcon Heavy’s payload for the STP-2 mission includes a variety of experimental satellites and technologies. Among the payloads are six small satellites designed to test new types of propulsion, including a solar sail and a water-fueled thruster. The mission will also carry a NASA technology demonstration that will test a laser-based communications system for deep space missions. The Air Force’s STP-2 mission includes a total of 24 payloads, making it the most complex space mission ever launched by the Air Force.
In addition to the STP-2 payloads, the Falcon Heavy rocket is carrying several other payloads for various organizations. The Planetary Society’s LightSail 2 mission is one of the most notable payloads on board. The LightSail 2 will test the use of a solar sail for propulsion in space, which could be a key technology for future interstellar travel.
Insight from SpaceX Propulsion Engineer Atticus Vadera on the Abort
In a tweet following the abort, SpaceX propulsion engineer Atticus Vadera shed some light on the technical issue that caused the delay. According to Vadera, the abort was caused by a “slightly high-pressure reading in the upper stage liquid oxygen tank.” Vadera noted that the issue was identified during pre-flight checks and that the team was “working on it for future flights.” SpaceX has not yet provided any further details on the issue or how it will be resolved for future launches.
