Demonstration Flight of Falcon 9 Rocket Set for Wednesday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The first demonstration flight of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program has been scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch window extends from 9 a.m. to 12:22 p.m. EST.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO)

During a routine inspection this week, SpaceX engineers observed two small cracks in the rocket's second stage engine nozzle. SpaceX completed repairs to the cracked nozzle Tuesday.

Live coverage of the launch will air on NASA Television and the agency's website. For streaming information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about the launch, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/cots

SOURCE NASA