Last Thursday, SpaceX posted the Falcon 9 test-fire video from earlier in the week. Elon Musk later said the rocket's next launch is coming soon leading some experts to speculate a November launch is imminent.
The test-fire comes after the Falcon 9 rocket got its upgrades which include more powerful engines, condensed fuel and modifications to its structure.
"The 15-second burn looks impressive, with red-hot flames and smoke pouring out, but ultimately was rather uneventful (which is actually great news when you're firing rockets)," Popular Science said.
The Falcon 9's last flight in June 28 ended in failure after the rocket exploded. Investigation later revealed that the mishap was ultimately caused by a faulty strut holding a helium tank.
SpaceX seems to have learned from the "huge blow" as it now inspects and tests such parts, "and not trust design specifications provided by subcontractors," according to Space Flight Now.
Reportedly, plans to upgrade the Falcon 9 have been in place even before the launch failure earlier this year. The website said that each of the nine Merlin 1D engines in the first stage is now capable of 170,000 pounds of thrust at sea level.
The Hawthorne, Calif.-based company is poised to return to form with a next launch coming soon.
"We hope to launch again in a couple of months - I guess maybe six to eight weeks or so from now," CEO Elon Musk said at a forum hosted by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, as quoted by SFN.
He also hoped to demonstrate the Falcon 9's reusability by having it land.
SpaceX is yet to announce an exact date for the Falcon 9 next launch but industry sources reportedly said it "is expected in mid-November" to get the SES 9 TV broadcast satellite into orbit.
"The new upgrades will help the rocket carry heavier cargo into space, and will hopefully leave enough propellant left over after launch to do a controlled landing of the rocket's first stage," PS said.
In the meantime, watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 test-fire video below:
