SpaceX launches may resume Dec 19, 6 months after accident

SpaceX says it's close to launching rockets again six months after an accident.

Chief executive Elon Musk announced via Twitter today a rocket test-firing for next Wednesday in Florida. A satellite launch for Orbcomm could come three days later on December 19.

SpaceX has been stuck on Earth since June, when a broken strut doomed its Falcon rocket during liftoff. The accident left NASA without a viable US supplier for the International Space Station.

NASA's other commercial shipper, Orbital ATK, finally made a delivery Wednesday, but had to use another company's rocket.

SpaceX hopes to resume supply runs next month.
 

In the meantime, SpaceX will try again to land its first-stage booster, possibly back at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Barge landing attempts have failed.