Orbcomm is going to go first:
SpaceX on Oct. 16 said it had changed its return-to-flight plans and would first launch 11 small Orbcomm messaging satellites into low Earth orbit, and then test reignition of the redesigned second-stage engine during the same flight before launching SES’s heavier telecommunications satellite into higher orbit, a mission that will need the reignition capability.
Luxembourg-based SES said the company was comfortable with ceding its slot to Rochelle Park, New Jersey-based Orbcomm, especially since SpaceX has said it can launch the SES-9 telecommunications satellite into geostationary orbit in late December.
So December may be an interesting month, with two landing attempts.
Obviously not their focus right now (just my mania, ya know) but I wish they would announce something about the red lander? I know they would like and lobby for some NASA development money for this. Thomas has a point about how govt. can cause delay in advancements, but good business demands trying for the most revenue. They resist going public, but when they do, I wonder how that will affect them? Pull back the curtain, Elon!
This seems like a reason and prudent approach. While I don’t know for sure, I’d wager that the SES payload costs a lot more than all of those ORBCOMM payloads put together. Better to do the tests incrementally and with a less expensive payload. The two landing attempts will be cool. Perhaps they can stick the landing this time.