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Watch Virgin Galactic test fire its satellite launching rocket
On top of doing space tourism, Virgin Galactic aims to launch small satellites under 200 kilograms (440 pounds) into standard orbit via its LauncherOne program by the end of 2016. To achieve that (and hit the $10 mllion target price) Branson's outfit will not launch rockets from terra firma, but via a carrier plane at a height of around 50,000 feet. So far nary a rocket has flown, but Virgin says it's making "great progress" after a test this month. It managed to "hotfire" its NewtonThree first-stage rocket for nearly 90 seconds, or about half its projected mission burn time (below).
PSA: Space X streaming test-firing of Falcon 9 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT (update: video)
Today, SpaceX is test-firing the engines of its Falcon 9 rocket in preparation for that oft-delayed May 7th launch for its Dragon capsule. You'll be able to watch the static-fire test from the comfort of your own desk by pointing a browser at the company website (link below) from 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT. If successful, then the rocket will lift-off properly in a week's time, with designs on being the first commercial craft used to resupply the International Space Station. Update: For those who missed the live stream, you can check out a replay of today's event just after the break.
