TECH

SpaceX targeting July 14 launch

James Dean
FLORIDA TODAY
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Monday.

SpaceX and Orbcomm are now targeting Monday, July 14, for a launch of six commercial satellites from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The Air Force is reviewing that date for approval, with July 15 as a backup.

Two previous attempts to launch the first half-dozen of 17 Orbcomm Generation 2 satellites scrubbed on June 20 and 21 due to technical problems and weather, and a third try June 22 was postponed due to another issue with the Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX had said it hoped to be ready to try again in the first week of July, but the Air Force also needed to complete maintenance on the Eastern Range's meteorological and command destruct systems.

"This provides the necessary time to ensure the highest possible mission assurance and allows the Range to complete their previously scheduled maintenance," Orbcomm said an update posted online. "The OG2 payload and Falcon 9 launch vehicle are in good condition, and engineering teams are moving forward with the necessary steps to prepare for launch."