SpaceX completes Falcon static fire test
Posted: Sun, Dec 5, 2010, 9:56 AM ET (1456 GMT)
SpaceX carried out a static fire test of the main engines of its Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday, clearing the way for Tuesday's scheduled launch of a cargo spacecraft. The rocket fired the nine engines on its first stage for about two seconds on the pad at Cape Canaveral Saturday morning to confirm that all engines were operating properly. A similar test the previous day was aborted because of high chamber pressure in one of the engines; a second attempt earlier Saturday was also aborted because of a sensor reading on one engine. The Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch Tuesday morning and place the Dragon cargo spacecraft into orbit. Dragon will remain in orbit for several hours to check out systems before reentering and splashing down off the California coast. The launch is the first of three under SpaceX's COTS award with NASA to develop systems to transport cargo to and from the International Space Station.
SpaceX carried out a static fire test of the main engines of its Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday, clearing the way for Tuesday's scheduled launch of a cargo spacecraft. The rocket fired the nine engines on its first stage for about two seconds on the pad at Cape Canaveral Saturday morning to confirm that all engines were operating properly. A similar test the previous day was aborted because of high chamber pressure in one of the engines; a second attempt earlier Saturday was also aborted because of a sensor reading on one engine. The Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch Tuesday morning and place the Dragon cargo spacecraft into orbit. Dragon will remain in orbit for several hours to check out systems before reentering and splashing down off the California coast. The launch is the first of three under SpaceX's COTS award with NASA to develop systems to transport cargo to and from the International Space Station.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, September 29
Eutelsat completes all-share merger with OneWeb, aims for dual listing in Paris and London
Investing.com — 7:17 am ET (1117 GMT) Eutelsat and OneWeb combine to create European satellite giant as Musk’s Starlink pressures sector
CNBC — 7:17 am ET (1117 GMT) Astra Cures Bid Price Deficiency and Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Listing Standards
Business Wire — 7:16 am ET (1116 GMT) Colorado got the Space Command Headquarters. But Alabama isn’t done fighting for it
Colorado Public Radio — 7:15 am ET (1115 GMT) Alabama lawmaker intends to withhold funds for permanent Space Command HQ in Colorado
Washington Examiner — 7:15 am ET (1115 GMT) |
