Watch SpaceX’s Rocket (Probably) Crash Into a Robot Boat (Again)

Before the landing, SpaceX will deliver a telecommunications satellite called SES-9 into space, where it will jettison and then slowly make its way into geostationary orbit around Earth.

The company saw moderate success a year ago after landing a rocket on solid ground at Cape Canaveral, the first successful landing of their Falcon 9 first stage.

But Martin Halliwell, chief technology officer of SES, sang SpaceX’s praises in a preflight press briefing at Cape Canaveral on Tuesday.

The 229 foot tall Falcon 9 is slated to lift off from SpaceX’s seaside Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.at 6:46 p.m. EST at the opening of a 97-minute launch window. To get SES-9 into a higher orbit, the Falcon 9 will need to go a lot faster.

SpaceX needs to master the art of the drone landing before completing the design and construction of its next rocket type, the Falcon 9 Heavy, Dr. McDowell explained to the Monitor.

Why this test really matters: SpaceX has pulled off the land-based landing, but certain types of high-velocity launches require a sea-based landing. According to Popular Science, there is a 60 percent chance conditions will be favorable for takeoff.

SpaceX opfficials say they are not optimistic of a successful barge landing.

SpaceX nearly had a ideal landing at sea in January, however one of the four legs didn’t lock completely, causing the rocket to tip over and explode as it touched down on the ship.

The Boeing-built television broadcasting satellite will get an additional burst of energy from the Falcon 9’s second stage engine after Wednesday’s liftoff, shaving the time required for the craft’s own propulsion system to maneuver into position to begin a 15-year mission beaming video programming and data services across the Asia-Pacific.

The launch will be coupled with a first stage landing attempt on SpaceX’s autonomous drone ship.

If weather prohibits the launch from occurring tomorrow, a second launch window is set for 6:46 p.m. on February 25.

This makes things hard for SpaceX’s post-launch plans. The company’s website showed that SpaceX’s new Falcon 9 rockets cost about $61 million.

Watch for Ken’s onsite launch reports direct from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.