SpaceX halts launch of satellite that will look for planets capable of supporting life
Company now aiming for a Wednesday launch
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SpaceX has delayed the launch of a satellite that will look for planets capable of supporting life.
The private spaceflight company said it needed more time to analyse its guidance, navigation, and control systems for a rocket that will bear the NASA satellite into space. It is now aiming for a Wednesday lunch.
Additional testing notwithstanding the spacecraft “is in excellent health, and remains ready for launch”, NASA said in a statement.
The Transit Exoplanet Survey Satellite was scheduled to lift off from a launchpad in Cape Canaveral, Florida as it began a mission seek to locate more “exoplanets”, or worlds that could harbour other lifeforms.
When it does depart, the $337m (£235m) craft will spend two years gathering information on what astronomers hope could be thousands of new planets.
It will be propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket supplied by SpaceX, a company founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The collaboration offers the latest example of a renewed effort to explore the cosmos by tapping into private resources.
SpaceX last month shot ten communications satellites into low-earth orbit and earlier this year launched the Falcon Heavy, the world’s most powerful rocket.
Space exploration has shown a jolt of momentum in recent months amid a string of SpaceX launches and resurgent enthusiasm from the White House.
Officials in the Trump administration have outlined a commitment to reviving the faltering US space programme, moving to return astronauts to the moon and lay the groundwork for a mission to Mars.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments