Start the truck Dragon delayed because of problems with the rocket Falcon – BBC News

The launch of the truck to the ISS Dragon canceled due to problems encountered in the second stage rocket Falcon 9, NASA said. Start the spacecraft was to be held at 14 hours and 20 minutes, but less than fifteen minutes before the start, it was canceled due to problems in the second stage of the rocket. According to the agency, “1 minute 21 seconds before starting the drive thrust vector control the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket failed to show the expected work.” It is reported that the software company SpaceX rocket and truck involved in the elimination of the problem.

According to NASA, the next launch attempt is scheduled for Jan. 9. The machine must be delivered to the ISS 1.6 tons of cargo, including provisions and clothing for the crew, as well as materials for scientific experiments. Earlier rocket launch with a truck to the ISS postponed twice already. In particular, due to the malfunction of the launch vehicle immediately prior to the start of December. But on Monday, the company assured that starting the transfer of care, and everything is ready for a successful launch of the ship on Tuesday.

In addition to the delivery of cargo to the ISS during his fifth mission, the company SpaceX intends to conduct a test on the landing of the first stage Falcon 9 rocket on an autonomous floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean. The developers expect that the development of technologies to preserve the rocket and its reusable possible in the future to reduce the cost of space missions.

The developer, the company SpaceX, describes his two-stage rocket Falcon 9 as a very reliable. According to the company’s website, by equipping the first stage of the nine engines Merlin, the missile can carry out its mission of the spacecraft into orbit, even in the event of failure of one of them. The first launch of the truck with the help of Dragon booster Falcon 9 was held in 2012.

SpaceX became the first commercial company to deliver cargo to the ISS. In addition to the contract for delivery of cargo to the ISS, in September 2014, along with Boeing, it has won a contract worth about $ 6.8 billion for the implementation of manned missions to the ISS. It is expected that the launch of manned spacecraft SpaceX will also be used Falcon 9 rocket.