Dragon capsule returns safely
Posted: Wed, Dec 8, 2010, 9:38 PM ET (0238 GMT)
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, launched for the first time Wednesday morning, parachuted to a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean Wednesday afternoon, capping what company officials said was a flawless demonstration mission. The Dragon spacecraft made two orbits of the Earth before reentering, splashing down almost exactly on target shortly after 2 pm EST (1900 GMT). Company officials said the spacecraft performed as planned in orbit, and all aspects of the flight, from launch to reentry and landing, went as planned. Dragon is the first commercially-developed spacecraft to successfully return to Earth. SpaceX is developing Dragon to transport cargo, and potentially crews, to the International Space Station. SpaceX said a second Dragon test flight, where the spacecraft wold approach and perhaps even dock with, the ISS, is planned for next summer.
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, launched for the first time Wednesday morning, parachuted to a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean Wednesday afternoon, capping what company officials said was a flawless demonstration mission. The Dragon spacecraft made two orbits of the Earth before reentering, splashing down almost exactly on target shortly after 2 pm EST (1900 GMT). Company officials said the spacecraft performed as planned in orbit, and all aspects of the flight, from launch to reentry and landing, went as planned. Dragon is the first commercially-developed spacecraft to successfully return to Earth. SpaceX is developing Dragon to transport cargo, and potentially crews, to the International Space Station. SpaceX said a second Dragon test flight, where the spacecraft wold approach and perhaps even dock with, the ISS, is planned for next summer.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Pentagon places head of Space Development Agency on leave for investigation
Posted: Sun, Jan 19 10:25 AM ET (1525 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, January 21
Aegis Aerospace sending payload on the moon on Firefly mission
Houston Business Journal — 6:46 am ET (1146 GMT) Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base re-scheduled for Tuesday
KGET-TV Bakersfield, CA — 6:45 am ET (1145 GMT) Blue Origin goes orbital
Royal Aeronautical Society — 6:44 am ET (1144 GMT) SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit
UPI — 6:43 am ET (1143 GMT) Hawaiians, South Texans worry about more Starship launches
San Antonio Express-News — 6:41 am ET (1141 GMT) |
