Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is targeting the first week of July for its Orbcomm [ORBC] OG2 launch after scrubbing several attempts this past weekend for various reasons.
Three total launch attempts were scrubbed since Friday’s press time. Friday’s originally scheduled launch was pushed back to Saturday due to noticed fluctuations in pressure on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle’s second stage, according to Orbcomm. Saturday’s launch attempt was nixed due to weather concerns.
Sunday’s launch was halted to address a potential concern identified during pre-flight checks, Orbcomm said, adding the Falcon 9 and OG2 payload are in good condition. While it originally believed it would attempt a Tuesday launch, Orbcomm said it would shoot for the first week of July to allow previously scheduled maintenance to take place at the Eastern Range, which includes launch site Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
If successful, SpaceX plans to launch six OG2 communications satellites into low-earth orbit. The satellites were built by Sierra Nevada (SNC) while Boeing [BA] provided the payloads. The OG2 satellites will give existing customers significant enhancements, such as faster message delivery, larger message sizes and better coverage at higher latitudes, while drastically increasing network capacity.
Orbcomm’s stock fell 5.5 percent on Nasdaq to $6.37 at closing Monday.