After failing to launch a Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX is trying one more time, making its fifth attempt this year to send up its spacecraft. Elon Musk’s team is also going to attempt a third sea-based landing on a floating platform in the Atlantic.
On Thursday, the Falcon 9 launch was delayed due to what Musk called "a tiny glitch."
@SpaceX There was a tiny glitch in the motion of an upper stage engine actuator. Probably not a flight risk, but still worth investigating.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 26, 2016
The second "backup" two-hour launch window for the next attempt opened at 5:39pm ET.
Liftoff! https://t.co/tdni53IviIpic.twitter.com/NcDhOjmv1n
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 27, 2016
Falcon 9 has blasted off from a launchpad at Cape Canaveral, Florida bringing a 3,000kg telecommunications satellite Thaicom 8 into a geostationary transfer orbit 20,000 miles above Earth.
Falcon 9 second stage and THAICOM 8 spacecraft in nominal orbit and coast. First stage has landed on the droneship pic.twitter.com/NH52PHhpyE
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 27, 2016
"When THAICOM 8 launches, it will strengthen Thaicom’s broadcast platform at 78.5 degrees east longitude – providing South Asia and Southeast Asia with broadcast and data services," the company said in a statement.
However, this evening all eyes have been on the sea-based landing attempt on a platform in the Atlantic.
Falcon 9 first stage has landed pic.twitter.com/5jbz9OdBsd
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 27, 2016
Late last year, the company managed to land its first reusable rocket on solid ground. This spring, SpaceX also successfully landed two of its rockets on an autonomous floating barge.
By the end of this year, SpaceX expects to have launched a total of 18 rockets, which is two times more than last year's total. (RT)
