SpaceX reusable rocket launch and landing test set for tonight

SpaceX is set to launch an upgraded Falcon 9 rocket and attempt to land the booster at the launch site tonight, after being postponed 24 hours.

A smooth landing would provide a big boost to Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, and its long-term ambition of refurbishing and reusing its rockets, an advance that could  slash launch costs.

Fingers crossed for SpaceX reusable rocket launch and landing test3:17

The mission, rescheduled for 8:33 p.m. ET on Monday (0133 GMT), is the first for SpaceX since June 28, when the Falcon 9 failed during an attempt to deliver cargo to the International Space Station for NASA.

"Tomorrow night (Monday) has a 10 per cent higher chance of good landing. Punting 24 hours," Musk wrote on Twitter a few hours before Sunday's planned liftoff at 8:29 p.m. ET (0129 GMT).

Just reviewed mission params w SpaceX team. Monte Carlo runs show tmrw night has a 10% higher chance of a good landing. Punting 24 hrs.

— @elonmusk

The revamped rocket will carry 11 small communications satellites for ORBCOMM Inc, which provides messaging 
services for retailers, shipping containers and others.

It is about 30 per cent more powerful than previous SpaceX models and comes equipped with a more robust landing system. 

The Falcon's nine-engine main stage will attempt to touch down several kilometres away from the launch site at a refurbished landing pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Rival Blue Origin, a space startup founded by Amazon.com Chief Executive Jeff Bezos, nailed a similar landing test last month. Unlike SpaceX, which has a backlog of more than 60 launches, worth about $11 billion ($8 billion US), Blue Origin is still conducting test flights.

SpaceX previously experimented landing its rockets on a platform in the ocean, so far unsuccessfully.

The Hawthorne, Calif., company was founded in 2002 by Musk, who also serves as chief executive of Tesla Motors Inc., the electric car maker.