First TacSat Launch Will Be No Earlier than December

摘要

The launch of the first in a series of small satellites that can be controlled directly by military commanders in the field will take place no earlier than December due to issues with the launch vehicle, according to military and industry officials. The first flight of that launcher, the Falcon 1 rocket built by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of El Segundo, Calif., ended in failure shortly after liftoff. In the meantime, SpaceX, has added a previously unannounced launch to its manifest. The new launch will take place in late September or sometime in October, according to Elon Musk, SpaceX's founder and president.