SpaceX stopped the launch of Falcon 9 a minute before the start

SpaceX had to stop the launch of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle just a minute before launch. The problem is technical problems with the first stage sensor. The next “window” to start is May 1st. The company must send a military satellite to Earth orbit for the National Directorate of Military Space Intelligence of the US spaceport at Cape Canaveral.

After the launch of the rocket, the company will try to land the first return stage of the Falcon 9, which has been possible more than once. Landing is planned to be made on solid ground, and not on the sea platform. Due to the fact that the satellite belongs to the military, it is not known exactly at what altitude it is planned to deliver the spacecraft. It is clear that no one says what the new satellite will do.


If SpaceX manages to land a stage, then this will be the fourth successful landing at the space center, and not a floating platform. A few weeks ago, the company returned to Earth not only a step, but also a fairing.

By the way, the “military” launch of the SpaceX launch vehicle is different from all the others. The fact is that earlier only Boeing and Lockheed Martin worked with military spacecraft. It was a kind of monopoly. Now, SpaceX was able to work with the contract launch of satellites for the military. This opportunity was opened by the US government, which decided to ensure healthy competition among companies that work with missions of national importance. The reason is the desire to reduce the cost of government contracts with "space" contractors.
')
The satellite was named NROL-76, SpaceX agreed with the military about a year ago about its delivery to orbit. Perhaps, if everything goes well, the company Ilona Mask will continue to work with government customers in the United States. Tomorrow we will find out how everything went - if the launch takes place and the satellite will be delivered into orbit, most likely, the US military will enter into new contracts with SpaceX.

In addition to the military, SpaceX has contracts with other organizations, including NASA and commercial companies. For example, SpaceX agreed with Iridium on the delivery of a group of satellites to orbit. This company is going to send several vehicles into space that will help improve the work of the network of this global communications operator. If all satellites are removed, SpaceX will receive more than $ 492 million US dollars. Unfortunately, due to the accident last year, the deployment of satellites was postponed to 2018.


In addition, SpaceX is developing the Falcon Heavy super-heavy launch vehicle. It is planned that this rocket will be able to deliver into orbit about 54 tons of cargo to a low reference orbit, approximately 21.2 tons to a geo-transition orbit and 13.2 tons Falcon Heavy is able to send to Mars. It is the Red Planet - the main goal of the Mask and SpaceX. All commercial launches are a way to get funds for the realization of the main mission.