SpaceX tries 3rd time to launch observatory, land rocket
9 SpaceX rocket stands ready for a sunset launch from complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015. AP
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — SpaceX is counting on better weather as it tries a third time to launch an observatory and land the leftover rocket at sea.
The Falcon rocket is scheduled to blast off at sunset Wednesday from Cape Canaveral, Florida. On board is the Deep Space Climate Observatory, a satellite dreamed up by former Vice President Al Gore 17 years ago. Gore will return again for the liftoff. High wind nixed Tuesday’s try and radar trouble interfered Sunday.
NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pulled the satellite out of storage for flight. It will travel 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) into space and monitor solar storms, while providing continuous views of Earth.
The rocket booster, once free, will attempt to land on a platform floating off Florida’s coast. Last month’s test failed.
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