Elon Musk led SpaceX is all set to attempt its first launch on Saturday since the unfortunate explosion incident on Sept. 1, 2016 and space insiders are closely following every SpaceX move with bated breath. The explosion last year grounded its entire fleet, destroyed the Falcon 9 rocket and its payload completely and also the Amos 6 communications satellite. The Cape Canaveral launch pad was also seriously damaged.

According to The Guardian, the launch will happen in California from Vandenberg Air Force Base and the rocket will carry 10 small Iridium communications satellites into orbit. The satellites are part of the world's largest commercial satellite constellation into space, Iridium Next. These are set to replace the existing satellites launched over a five-year period, starting in 1997. These small satellites have cost the company $3 billion.

The Iridium communications satellites have been designed in France and built in the US by Thales Alenia Space and Orbital ATK. As per the contract between SpaceX and Iridium, a total of 66 new satellites will be launched and across seven launches. Saturday's launch is a big test for SpaceX engineers as it will be proof of whether they have been able to overcome the problem that caused the explosion last year.

The SpaceX engineers identified the problem but it is crucial to know if they have overcome it. The September 2016 explosion was caused by the helium tank in the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket. The tank split during an engine trial. Launch is currently scheduled for 9:54 a.m. PST (12:54 p.m. EST / 17:54 GMT) Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, at Space Launch Complex 4 East, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

Iridium's satellites will be used to build a voice and data network. The rocket that exploded last year on the launch pad had a satellite inside that was to be used as part of Facebook's initiative to bring internet access to backward areas across Africa, reports Tech Crunch.