NASA To Send SpaceX Resupply Capsule To ISS Despite Technical Problems 71
An anonymous reader writes "Despite a critical backup computer failing on the ISS Friday, an unmanned SpaceX rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral at 4:58 p.m. Monday with more than 2 tons of supplies for the space station. From the article: 'The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration decided to proceed with its resupply mission, despite technical problems with its computer in the International Space Station (ISS), as it needed to deliver necessary supplies.'"
Open the pod bay door HAL (Score:4, Insightful)
There's some risk involved but missing the launch window for supplies could be a greater risk (and spoilage time, etc;)
Re:Open the pod bay door HAL (Score:5, Insightful)
Yes. The "obstacle" causing the delay was a problem with a backup unit, while the primary is still functioning fine. They had originally scheduled a spacewalk to fix the backup, but presumably, in the event of a failure, they could just "park" the Dragon a convenient orbit to await repairs. So they're better off launching now instead of waiting for the repairs.
Sounds good to me... I just want to see another Falcon fly... ;-)
And if I'm not mistaken, this next flight will also be their first attempt to recover the first stage by propulsive landing. Demonstrating such a capability would be a game changer in itself.