SpaceX’s Landing Still Unplanned After Launch Is Already Scheduled?

Reports said that SpaceX is scheduled to launch on February 24. The upcoming launch was said to be set by SES company to broadcast their communication satellite into the proper orbit.

Though the launching was reported to be set and ready already, various reports claimed that SpaceX's landing as it goes back to the ground would take planning for attempts.

Several reports suggested that due to a new trajectory, SpaceX could try several tries for landing attempt but chances for it to be successful is significantly not that good.

"SpaceX's controlled landings require fuel for the thrusters that slow the rocket booster's descent. If SpaceX had decided to go ahead with a regular landing attempt, it wouldn't be able to carry the SES-9 satellite all the way to its destination orbit," Popular Science reported.

The source above added, "The satellite does have onboard propulsion that could carry it the rest of the way, but that would take a month, during which the satellite wouldn't be able to do its real job."

Meanwhile, Space News reported that SES Chief Executive, Karim Michel Sabbagh shared that modifying the SES-9 launch trajectory mission is a decision that SpaceX planned, to show their flexibility that SES company considered upon seeking for launch-service providers.

"There are things [on the rocket] that have not been tested yet but the mere fact that they have eliminated [first stage] recovery will help," Sabbagh said in an interview, noted Space News.

"You can improve the time it takes to get to orbit. By how much will we reduce it? We don't know, and we wont' know until the day after the launch," he added.

Although lots of reports varies on what will be the final decision for the landing and launching of SpaceX, SES just wanted to make sure everything is right, especially setting up their SES-9 satellite in order to start gaining more revenue.