A Space X supply mission to the International Space Station, initially scheduled for Sunday launch, has been delayed until the end of March. A Dragon space capsule carrying two tons of goods for the astronauts aboard the space station was originally scheduled for launch Sunday 16 March at 4:41 a.m.
The Hawthorne, California-based private space company said they needed more time to prepare for the launch, postponing the start of the mission until 30 March.
The company stated they needed time to resolve "remaining open issues," but did not detail what those issues may include. In a statement, SpaceX managers said they would release more information as it becomes available.
"Both Falcon 9 and Dragon are in good health. Given the critical payloads on board and significant upgrades to Dragon, the additional time will ensure SpaceX does everything possible on the ground to prepare for a successful launch," SpaceX managers wrote in a statement.
Among the supplies aboard the planned SpaceX-3 mission are two legs for a humanoid robot, or Robonaut, being constructed aboard the station. There are currently four of these mechanical organisms, with more in development. The latest model is the Robonaut 2 (R2). The new model is four times faster than the R1, is more flexible and compact. The R2 aboard the space station is currently attached to a pedestal. Legs will allow that R2 to travel around the ISS. Future additions will provide the robot with the ability to go into space, and travel across the surfaces of the Moon and Mars.
This mission is the first to test new insect-like landing legs aboard the reusable rocket. This mission will land in the water for reasons of safety, but future trips to space will land at spaceports.
Along with the legs for the robonaut, the Dragon payload includes a smartphone-controlled satellite, a spacesuit, and a new laser communication system.
The Falcon 9 rocket set to bring the Dragon spacecraft to orbit appears to be ready for the mission. On 8 March, a two-second static test firing of the engines aboard the craft was successful.
The next human crew is due to arrive at the station on 25 March. Aboard the ISS, astronauts Rick Mastracchio from NASA and Japan's Koichi Wakata carried out docking drills in preparation for the rendezvous.
Space X was founded by PayPal founder and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk.
If the mission is unable to launch on 30 March, the next possibility is on 2 April.
