Thursday, March 3

SpaceX: The Company Can't Get It Up

Maybe tomorrow will be the day. SpaceX has already scrubbed an SES-9 communications satellite launch four times now for various reasons, according to Spacenews:

- First scrub - liquid propellant issue;
- Second scrub - liquid propellant again;
- Third scrub - a boat strayed into the launch area; and 
- Fourth scrub - high winds.

SpaceX has already delayed this launch from last fall, so it needs to prove it can deliver quality launches on time. It seems the delays relate more to future SpaceX plans - reusable rockets - rather than current needs. 

NextGov noted that the super-cooled fuel was an essential part of obtaining sufficient density for the Falcon 9 rockets to return after placing their payload. It's the very technology that promises future benefits that is frustrating customers today.

I expect the current customers can wait a few days. The next launch could occur as early as tomorrow. Yet I also bet Mr. Musk is biting his nails and rethinking his options going forward.

Update: The good news is that the fifth launch attempt on Friday was successful. The satellite is up. The bad news is that the returning rocket did not successfully land on the drone barge.