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SpaceX swaps rocket engines ahead of next astronaut launch from Florida
Read full article: SpaceX swaps rocket engines ahead of next astronaut launch from FloridaORLANDO, Fla. – SpaceX was able to trace the cause of an issue with the Falcon 9 rocket detected in October leading to a launch abort and delaying the company’s next launch with NASA astronauts. The private company, along with NASA officials, provided an update Wednesday ahead of the next -- and second ever -- SpaceX launch with NASA astronauts, now scheduled for Nov. 14 from Kennedy Space Center. The company pulled the rocket engines and was able to duplicate the problem at its testing site in Texas. SpaceX is in the process of swapping two engines on the Falcon 9 rocket′s first stage being prepped to launch American astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi. There are several critical reviews that need to happen before launch, according to NASA, including the final flight readiness review NASA and SpaceX will conduct together.
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Stormy weather puts damper on SpaceX's 1st astronaut launch
Read full article: Stormy weather puts damper on SpaceX's 1st astronaut launch(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Stormy weather is threatening to delay SpaceX’s first astronaut launch. It will be the first time astronauts launch from Florida in nine years and a first for a private company. “We're continuing to be vigilant and careful and make sure we do this right.”Forecasters put the odds of acceptable launch weather at 40%. Hans Koenigsmann, a vice president for SpaceX, said the launch control team will incorporate global weather patterns and models to determine whether it's safe to launch. “If the weather gods are working with us," he said, liftoff will occur at 4:33 p.m. SpaceX has a split-second launch window.