Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket company has been cleared to resume flying following a launch pad explosion four months ago, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday.
The decision clears SpaceX to attempt to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 10 Iridium Communications Inc satellites as early as Monday, a day later than originally planned.
SpaceX, owned by Tesla Motors Inc Chief Executive Officer Musk, on Friday declined to comment about what caused the delay.
Liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is targeted for around 10:26 a.m. PST/1:26 p.m. EST.
The FAA, which oversees commercial U.S. space launches, oversaw SpaceX’s investigation into why a Falcon 9 rocket burst into flames on a launch pad in Florida as it was being fueled for a routine, prelaunch test on Sept. 1.
The accident destroyed the $62 million booster and a $200 million Israeli communications satellite that had been partly leased by Facebook Inc to expand internet access in Africa.
SOURCE REUTERS
