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SpaceX completes static fire test at KSC

James Dean
FLORIDA TODAY

Update, Feb. 12:

SpaceX has completed its first static test fire of a Falcon 9 rocket at Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A.

Update, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11: The static fire test now is expected no earlier than Sunday. Feb. 12.

Update, 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10:  SpaceX today rolled a Falcon 9 rocket on to pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center and lifted it vertical, but will not attempt to test-fire its nine main engines until at least the morning of Saturday, Feb. 11. A practice countdown including fueling of the rocket for a static fire test could be performed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.

Update, 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9: SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket "static fire" test at Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A is now planned no earlier than Friday, Feb. 10.

Original story:

SpaceX could attract a holiday weekend crowd for its first launch from Kennedy Space Center, now targeted for Saturday, Feb. 18, at the start of Presidents Day weekend.

Liftoff from historic pad 39A of a Falcon 9 rocket and unmanned Dragon capsule carrying International Space Station supplies would be expected just before 10 a.m.

The company could complete a critical pre-launch test known as a "static fire" as soon as this Thursday evening, Feb. 9.

If systems are ready, the launch team plans to run through a practice countdown, fueling the Falcon 9 and holding it down for a brief firing of nine Merlin main engines.

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The test aims to verify that the rocket and newly installed systems at the pad are ready for launch.

Originally designed for launches of Saturn V moon rockets, pad 39A has not hosted a launch since the last space shuttle blasted off in 2011.

SpaceX has installed new equipment for rolling Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets horizontally up the pad on rails and lifting them vertical, and new fueling systems.

It was during a similar static fire test last Sept. 1 that a Falcon 9 blew up on its Launch Complex 40 pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. An investigation blamed fueling procedures that caused a breach in a helium pressure tank.

SpaceX on Jan. 14 returned the Falcon 9 to flight in California, and is eager to resume flights from Florida to relieve its backlog of missions.

Less than 10 minutes after launching the Dragon, SpaceX will attempt to land the Falcon 9 booster at "Landing Zone 1," miles south of the launch site near the tip of Cape Canaveral.

SpaceX has previously landed two boosters at the site in as many tries, both nighttime events that wowed spectators and startled some with loud sonic booms.

Contact Dean at 321-242-3668 or jdean@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter at @flatoday_jdean.

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