Last week, we watched SpaceX try to launch their first satellite into geostationary orbit, and it was disappointing when the launch was called off due to technical concerns. They failed again in their second attempt on Thanksgiving, so we’ll have the live stream again today at 5:25PM EST to see if their third attempt is successful.
#Falcon9 is GO for launch of #SES8 today at 5:41p ET. Watch LIVE starting at 5:25: http://t.co/wytY3mnBf1 pic.twitter.com/zQYC2xUFBd
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 3, 2013
Despite how dubious it may seem to move on to a third launch attempt, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk is still confident that the rocket will accomplish its mission, and he kind of has to be. Successfully placing the SES-8 satellite into orbit would be a turning point for SpaceX, because it would open the door to similar missions they already have lined up for the future, which would bring in huge profits.
Musk had this to say at a prelaunch briefing today:
I don’t want to tempt fate, but I think it’s going to have a pretty significant impact on the world launch market and on the launch industry because our prices are the most competitive of any in the world.
We don’t want to tempt fate, either, but we’d be really excited to see what a revolution in the cost and availability of commercial spaceflight would bring, too. Good luck, Falcon 9.
(via Universe Today, image via Phil Plait)
- As we hope Falcon 9 will find out, going to space can have a profound effect on you
- Elsewhere in space, an asteroid recently flew extremely close to the Earth
- Why not take a look at NASA’s comet ISON media site?
