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SpaceX rocket set for re-launch after last-second abort

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    Faulty engine valve delays historic mission

  • Duration 2:52
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First launch of a privately owned spacecraft to the International Space Station now set for tomorrow after emergency systems aborted it just about a half in the second before liftoff.

The company is space -- attempted launch the rocket over the weekend from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

-- been working with that -- -- try to make it happen and if and when it happens -- mark a milestone.

As space travel goes from a solely government run effort to a privately backed operation.

But the flight computer detect detected an engine problem and aborted the launch.

The companies now -- try again early tomorrow morning as I mentioned just about thirty seconds ago joining us now.

Theoretical -- physics professor at the -- received New York -- you cop who is with us he's also the author of the book physics of the future gonna see again time.

This isn't that big -- deal sort of standard stuff you -- -- all the time.

This is difference it -- the future of the space program could rest on launches like this.

We're witnessing the historic transition away from government sponsored rockets to private enterprise taking over.

And president Barack Obama's fortunes could very well rest on this really if this exceeds it means -- could be driven down a big success for President Obama if it fails.

We're going to be hitch hiking on Russian booster rockets at the mercy of Vladimir put them and any kind of political deterioration.

So there's a lot riding on this we're witnessing historic transition from one Iraq.

To the next this this particular why does it all wrist on this and I mean that there's more company than just -- six.

And they're more opportunities than just this one especially given that.

The payload that's on this rocket it's it's is gonna bring the trash film's ultimate.

Well there are ten different companies now that are looking for contracts from NASA SpaceX got a one point six billion dollar contract.

But the key thing is cost Kenny drive down the cost of access to space.

To put a pound of anything into orbit -- 101000 dollars and that's your weight in gold to put you in orbit just around the planet earth.

You're weight in diamonds to put you on the planet my parents who that's prohibited and that's why Obama wants to reduce the cost the space travel by giving it to private enterprise.

But if it fails if there's a -- step.

It means that we could be vulnerable.

Because there was a triple quadruple Miami for the space program the space shuttle was canceled.

The replacement for the space shuttle was canceled the moon program was canceled the -- program was canceled.

And who controlled the future of America's space program.

The Russians.

You of course were out of money.

That's right so in these difficult times we have to find ways to get access to space and at a reduced costs that's indeed be the name of the game we have to get the space right we have to do it.

All our telecommunications.

Weather satellites GPS Internet.

This radio said -- television station.

All of it depends on satellites in space through that.

-- -- too good to see you again.