Falcon 9
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SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft successfully launches, returns from orbit (video)
It may have hit a few snags earlier this week, but SpaceX's slightly-delayed launch of its Dragon spacecraft looks to have gone off as well as anyone could have possibly hoped for. The craft blasted off from Cape Canaveral atop a Falcon 9 rocket earlier today, entered a "100 percent successful" low-earth orbit, and returned to Earth to make an on-target soft landing in the Pacific Ocean just a short while ago. Head on past the break for the launch video, and look for NASA to hold a complete post-flight press conference at 3:30pm EST at the link below (and on NASA TV).
SpaceX Falcon 9 about to launch, check out the live stream now! (update: liftoff!)
Just a few minutes to go, hit up the source link for more info or follow after the break for a live stream. SpaceX has been having all sorts of problems with Falcon 9, so it could always hit another snag, but it's always fun to try and catch a glimpse of live streamed space flight. Update: It hit another snag. The rocket went into "safe mode" right before launch due to some shutdown condition. There's still the possibility of a later launch, however, so we'll keep you posted. Update 2: Supposedly they're going to try again with a 2:45 launch. Fingers crossed! Update 3: And there she goes! Update 4: They achieved earth orbit! Major milestone for private and commercial space exploration: congratulations, SpaceX.
BitGravity lands HD-quality streaming deal with SpaceX
Who says HD must be confined to this stratosphere? BitGravity, a provider of next-generation content delivery networks for interactive broadcasting, is jumping for joy after being selected by SpaceX to provide "live streaming video for flights of the Falcon 1 and the Falcon 9 launch vehicles, as well as from each of SpaceX's initial demonstration flights, for the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program." Late last month, BitGravity was responsible for providing live HD-quality footage of the Falcon 1 rocket on its flight into Earth's orbit, and apparently, knocking a home run on the first at bat does good things for your company.
SpaceX slated to transport cargo and crew on Falcon 9
If that homebrew rocket you've been building in your backyard isn't working out, maybe SpaceX will have some room for you on one of its many upcoming Falcon 9 missions. Now that the F1 has successfully achieved orbit, the F9 is slated for launch in Q1 2009. As you may recall, the aptly named Falcon 9 has nine engines rather than one, as with the F1. These redundancies were inspired by the Apollo's Saturn V and Saturn I rockets, noted for their flawless flight records despite engine failures. If all goes well, the launch will be followed by three more, including one with a crew and an F9 "Heavy" -- handy if you've got 25,300 lbs of marbles or whatever to haul up to the International Space Station. If you plan on hitching a ride, get your job applications in now -- only valued employees are scheduled to be passengers at this time. Got a more exotic destination in mind? Next up Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has his sights set on building a "Mars lander of some kind."[Via Wired]
SpaceX conducts successful static launch of Falcon 9 rocket
Remember Space Exploration Technologies Corp, otherwise known as SpaceX? You know, the private space transport company started by PayPal founder Elon Musk that won the NASA Commercial Commercial Orbital Transportation Services competition for its Falcon rocket? Last we heard from SpaceX it had lost Falcon 1 during a test launch, but this week its Falcon 9 launch vehicle was successfully fired up. While it didn't go anywhere, the successful static launch was good news for the company, and the test run was even two months ahead of schedule, which could mean good things for the rockets' ultimate place in runs to the International Space Station once the Space Shuttle goes out of service in 2010.
