Space Coast All Set to Resume Rocket Launch This Week
According to reports, the Space Coast is all set to resume rocket launch this week. A liftoff of an Atlas V rocket carrying the Air Force's next Global Positioning System satellite is scheduled for Wednesday at 11:36 am.
It has been said that the launch is the first since SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket failed nearly three minutes after its launch on June 28 with cargo for the International Space Station (ISS).
The Air Force's 45th Space Wing said in a statement on Friday that the Eastern range systems had no involvement in the accident, and said that it is completely ready for the next scheduled launches.
Elon Musk owned SpaceX is presently investigating the reason what caused the failure of its Falcon 9's upper-stage liquid oxygen tank to rupture. CEO Elon Musk has said the company may be close to releasing its preliminary conclusions.
Sources associated with the scheduled launch said that this week's launch would be the 55th by an Atlas V. Atlas V is flying for the 27th times in its '401' configuration with a four-meter fairing.
The rocket's top contains the 10th in a series of a dozen Boeing-built GPS satellites, called GPS IIF, all of which are expected to be in orbit by early 2016.
It has been told that a final mission dress rehearsal and launch readiness review are planned Monday.
In addition, NASA will be giving an update on its human exploration program at Tuesday's luncheon presentation to the National Space Club Florida Committee in Cape Canaveral.
Bill Hill, deputy associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development, will discuss 'Human Exploration - Pioneering the Solar System'.