SPACEX FACES SHORT DELAY AFTER F9R EXPLODES

Experiment on Rocket Reusability Goes Bad for SpaceX

SpaceX has pushed back this week’s planned launch of its Falcon 9 rocket by one day. This comes in the wake of the automatic termination of the F9R (Falcon 9 Reusable) on Friday 22nd of August, which resulted in a large explosion over a test site in Texas. On detecting an anomaly, the rocket’s flight termination system initiated a command to self-destruct (this forms part of the rocket’s safety procedures). The F9R is similar to the Falcon 9, which SpaceX has successfully used to launch unmanned cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station. The space exploration company is now scheduled to launch the AsiaSat 6 telecommunications satellite on Wednesday 27th of August. Under the guidance of CEO Elon Musk, SpaceX has consistently sought to push the boundaries with space flight and is committed to developing reusable rockets and shuttles capable of being sent to and from space multiple times.