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11.26.2005

Falcon 1 Rocket's Maiden Flight Scrubbed, SpaceX Says

From Space.com:
SpaceX officials have scrubbed Saturday's launch attempt of a Falcon 1 rocket.

Larry Williams, SpaceX vice president for international and government affairs, said today's planned launch of the firm's first Falcon 1 rocket scrubbed until Sunday, though details on tomorrow's attempt are pending.

The announcement came just minutes after officials told reporters they had a "good chance" to launch at 8:00 p.m. EST (0100 Nov. 27 GMT). Sunday's launch attempt could begin as early as 12:00 p.m. EST (1700 GMT), SpaceX officials said.

A series of delays plagued today's Falcon 1 launch attempt, including poor weather and liquid oxygen fuel problems. SpaceX officials even extended their planned launch window by two hours - to 10:00 p.m. EST (0300 Nov. 27 GMT) - in order to make today's flight opportunity.

Launch pad workers were troubleshooting a pressure issue with the liquid oxygen loading tanks for the Falcon 1 rocket, which is making its first flight for the private launch firm SpaceX from its Kwajalein Atoll launch site on the Pacific Ocean.

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