The improved version of the booster carried out a static test firing on Friday at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in preparation for the mission to send 11 Orbcomm OG-2 communication satellites into low Earth orbit. If the results of the test prove positive, the launch will go forward on December 20.

The news came after a tension-filled day as the already postponed static firing test was beset by further delays due to difficulties with the cryogenic system. After the firing finally took place, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk tweeted, "Static fire test looks good. Pending data review, will aim to launch Sunday."