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© GRAPHIC NEWS

© GRAPHIC NEWS

© GRAPHIC NEWS

Graphic shows cause of explosion of Falcon 9.
GN34966EN

SPACE

SpaceX sets January 8 launch date

By Duncan Mil

January 8, 2017 - SpaceX is to resume liftoffs following an investigation into the massive explosion of a Falcon 9 rocket in September 2016. Accident investigators concluded that a helium canister burst during fuelling.

The next launch is planned for this Sunday, January 8, when a new Falcon 9 will take off from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Los Angeles. The rocket will send 10 satellites worth $3 billion into space for the private company, Iridium Communications, Inc.

Later in January, SpaceX plans to launch another communications satellite from Cape Canaveral’s historic Launch Complex 39A -- the launch pad from which most of the Apollo and many space shuttle missions blasted off. The company hopes to resume carrying supplies to the International Space Station later this month.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 04/01/2017; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: U.S. Launch Report
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