SpaceX swaps order of next two Falcon 9 launches

Confronted with pesky problems in the Falcon 9 rocket’s helium pressurization system, SpaceX has shuffled the order of the next two launches, choosing to go ahead with the liftoff of a Dragon supply ship on a cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station around April 10. The launch of a European-built communications satellite for the government of Turkmenistan, originally set for March 21, will now occur no sooner than late April, tentatively around April 24, officials said this week. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president chief operating officer, said in Washington this week the extra time will allow engineers to complete an assessment of an issue with helium storage bottles inside the Falcon 9 rocket. The rocket uses helium gas to pressurize its propellant tanks. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Mar 22)