It's become a routine, and a successful one at that for the SpaceX team at the Kwajalein Atoll of the Marshall Islands. A static flight was conducted today, Saturday, of the Falcon 1 Flight 4, and launch is planned for sometime between Tuesday and Thursday (California time). The SpaceX team worked hard to make this launch window, but also took the time to review data from Flight 3 in detail. SpaceX expects to conduct a launch countdown in late September as scheduled. In addition to reviewing the reports, they had several outside experts check the data and conclusions. No flight critical problems were found apart from the thrust transient issue.

However, it is still possible that SpaceX may encounter an issue that needs to be investigated, which would delay launch until the next available window in late October. Flight 5 production is well underway with an expected January completion date, Flight 6 parts are on order and Flight 7 production will begin early next year. SpaceX is now in a steady state production of Falcon 1 at a rate of one vehicle every four months, which is anticipated to step up to one vehicle every two to three months in 2010.

Photos of; SpaceX purchased a C-17 flight from the USAF to fly the Falcon 1 Flight 4 vehicle from Los Angeles International to the Kwajalein Atoll; and SpaceX’s Falcon 1 Flight 4 on the launch pad at Omelek Island in the Kwajalein Atoll of the Marshall Islands (September 19, 2008).