UP Aerospace to try new launch next month

UP Aerospace will make its second attempt to reach space from the Southern New Mexico desert on April 28, officials say.

The Connecticut-based firm plans to make the launch from Spaceport America on that day, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News. It will be the first attempt since its Sept. 25 launch went awry.

Officials blamed the problem on a design flaw in the tail fin, and have spent months correcting it. Meanwhile, the new launch has been delayed several times.

But officials are now confident that April 28 is the day. Aboard the rocket will be the ashes of Star Trek actor James “Scotty” Doohan and Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper, the Sun-News reported.

The facilities for UP Aerospace launches have already been built, so the launch isn’t dependent on Tuesday’s election in Doña Ana County on whether to raise the gross receipts tax to help fund the spaceport.

Click here to watch video of last year’s launch.