Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will attempt for a second time to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft this morning at 3:44 a.m. EST, according to a statement.
Saturday’s launch was aborted when the flight computer detected slightly high pressure in the engine five combustion chamber, according to a company statement. Company engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine during inspections. The failed valve was replaced Saturday and, after analysis, the vehicle has been cleared for launch, according to a company statement.
The launch is part of SpaceX’s mission to become the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), according to a company statement. Only four entities have ever sent a spacecraft to the ISS: The United States, Russia, Japan and the European Union.
This morning’s launch is a demonstration mission, a test flight primarily designed to provide NASA and SpaceX with valuable insight to ensure successful future missions, according to SpaceX.
This is SpaceX’s second demonstration flight under a 2006 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement with NASA to develop the capability to carry cargo to and from the ISS, according to SpaceX. The company has received $381 million to date for completing 37-out-of-40 milestones worth a possible $396 million set in that agreement. Complete milestones include the first test flight in December 2010, during which SpaceX became the first commercial company to send a spacecraft to low-Earth orbit and recover it successfully.
Once SpaceX successfully demonstrates the Dragon spacecraft’s ability to berth with the ISS, it will begin to fulfill a 2008 NASA contract for a minimum of 12 flights carrying supplies to and from the ISS, according to SpaceX.