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SpaceX Launching Recycled Rocket, Supply Capsule for NASA

by Associated Press

   CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA --

   Space Age hand-me-downs are soaring to a whole new level.

   On Tuesday, SpaceX plans to launch its first rocket for NASA. The
   unmanned Falcon 9 -- last used in June -- will carry up a Dragon
   capsule that's also flown on a previous space station supply run.

   NASA's International Space Station manager, Kirk Shireman, says the
   risk of launching a recycled rocket is about the same as for a brand
   new one. He says he'll be just as anxious as he always is at every
   launch.

   As before, the first-stage booster will attempt to land back at Cape
   Canaveral, Florida.

   This will be the first launch in more than a year from Launch Complex
   40. The pad was ruined when a SpaceX rocket exploded during testing in
   September 2016.