spacetoday.net: SpaceX tests Falcon for next launch

Posted: Tue, Oct 2, 2012, 4:31 AM ET (0831 GMT)
Falcon 9 hotfire before CRS-1 launch (SpaceX)

SpaceX performed a hot-fire test of the engines on the first stage of its next Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday in preparation for its upcoming launch of an ISS cargo spacecraft. The nine engines on the first stage of the Falcon 9 fired for a few seconds while the rocket was held down on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral, a test to verify that all the systems are working properly. With the test complete, SpaceX is proceeding with plans to launch a Dragon cargo spacecraft atop that Falcon 9 on Sunday at 8:35 pm EDT (0035 GMT Monday). The launch, the first of 12 cargo missions contracted by NASA, will bring about 450 kilograms of cargo to the ISS and will bring back about 560 kilograms of scientific materials and space station hardware. The launch comes after SpaceX carried out a successful Dragon demonstration flight to the ISS in May.