Should all go well, Space X will continue with it $1.6 billion contract with NASA to conduct 12 cargo missions to the space station with its Dragon spacecraft. And it cannot come soon enough. The Falcon 9 launch and dragon visit was initially scheduled for last year, and even the May launch seems optimistic to some.
And Space X has competition, with Orbital Technologies, Corp., also preparing for a test flight later this year. Orbital Technologies has a $1.9 billion contract to provide eight cargo delivery missions to the ISS. The company will use its Antares rocket to place the Cygnus spacecraft in orbit.
You have to love this new private sector space race!
Update: According to NASA, the May 19th launch has been scrubbed and the new goal is May 22nd or 23rd. NASA reported the following:
A SpaceX Falcon 9 aborted its launch May 19 moments after its engines ignited when computers detected higher pressure readings than allowed. The center engine pressure built above limits and a shutdown occurred one-half second before liftoff, SpaceX officials said.
The next launch attempt could come as early as Tuesday, May 22, but that determination won't be made until the engine itself is inspected, said Gwynne Shotwell, president of Space Exploration Technologies of Hawthorne, Calif., known as SpaceX. There also is an opportunity May 23.
