SpaceX tests Falcon 9 ahead of Dragon launch
Posted: Tue, May 1, 2012, 7:51 AM ET (1151 GMT)
SpaceX overcame a last-minute glitch and successfully carried out a test of the first stage engines of its Falcon 9 rocket on Monday, one of the last milestones before its test flight to the International Space Station next week. The nine engines on the rocket's first stage fired at full power for two seconds Monday afternoon, confirming that they were operating properly. The test was delayed by 75 minutes after the original countdown to the test was stopped by the flight computer less than a minute before ignition because a technical parameter was set improperly. SpaceX plans to launch the Falcon 9 next Monday, May 7, placing the Dragon cargo spacecraft into orbit. The Dragon is flying a test flight to approach and, if all goes well, berth with the station. A successful test will allow SpaceX to begin commercial cargo flights to the station later this year.
SpaceX overcame a last-minute glitch and successfully carried out a test of the first stage engines of its Falcon 9 rocket on Monday, one of the last milestones before its test flight to the International Space Station next week. The nine engines on the rocket's first stage fired at full power for two seconds Monday afternoon, confirming that they were operating properly. The test was delayed by 75 minutes after the original countdown to the test was stopped by the flight computer less than a minute before ignition because a technical parameter was set improperly. SpaceX plans to launch the Falcon 9 next Monday, May 7, placing the Dragon cargo spacecraft into orbit. The Dragon is flying a test flight to approach and, if all goes well, berth with the station. A successful test will allow SpaceX to begin commercial cargo flights to the station later this year.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Space Force picks 14 companies for GEO surveillance program
Posted: Sat, Apr 11 10:34 AM ET (1434 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, April 20
Ovzon Launches Next-Generation Mobile Satellite Terminal – Ovzon T8
Ovzon — 5:39 am ET (0939 GMT) Musk’s SpaceX threatens to withhold mobile service from Australia
Australian Financial Review — 5:35 am ET (0935 GMT) Space Force looks to personnel growth to boost integrated testing approach
Aerospace America — 5:32 am ET (0932 GMT) Jeff Bezos’s rocket catches up with Elon Musk’s in space rivalry
The Daily Telegraph — 5:30 am ET (0930 GMT) Blue Origin Rocket Stumbles on First Commercial Mission
Wall Street Journal — 5:29 am ET (0929 GMT) |
