spacetoday.net: SpaceX delays next COTS launch

Posted: Mon, Jan 16, 2012, 7:15 PM ET (0015 GMT)
SpaceX Dragon illustration (SpaceX)

SpaceX announced Monday that is it pushing back the launch of a cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station to give the company more time to prepare for the mission. SpaceX had previously planned to launch a Dragon spacecraft on its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 7. The company announced Monday, though, that there are "a few areas that will benefit from additional work" in order to ensure a safe and successful mission, and that it was working with NASA to determine a new launch date. The company did not disclose what those areas were or how much additional time was needed. SpaceX plans to carry out the milestones of both its second and third planned flights under its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) award from NASA, with the Dragon spacecraft approaching the station and later berthing with it.