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Spanish satellite launch postponed twice this week by SpaceX

By John Smith • Published: 18 Feb 2018 • 9:46

@Teslarati Twitter

Work was well advanced with the SpaceX launch vehicle

FOR the second time in a week, the launch of the Spanish radar observation satellite PAZ from the Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base in the USA has been postponed.

The rocket due to take PAZ into space is produced by SpaceX the company founded in 2002 by Tesla chief Elon Musk who recently showed so spectacularly how his company could re-use rocket propulsion systems.

In this case, a short statement from Spain’s Ministry of Defence simply referred to “technical reasons” for the launch and did not give any indication of when the satellite would be sent into space.

This is only the third satellite to be owned by a European Community member after Germany and Italy and it will, when in orbit, undertake dual civil and military duties, making observations on environmental matters but also studying land borders and troop movements.

Many in America were looking forward to exciting ‘light show’ which would accompany the launch, but they will now have to wait until a new date is set.

Written by

John Smith

Married to Ophelia in Gibraltar in 1978, John has spent much of his life travelling on security print and minting business and visited every continent except Antarctica. Having retired several years ago, the couple moved to their house in Estepona and John became a regular news writer for the EWN Media Group taking particular interest in Finance, Gibraltar and Costa del Sol Social Scene. Currently he is acting as Editorial Consultant for the paper helping to shape its future development. Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

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