SpaceX tests Falcon 9 ahead of Dragon launch
Posted: Tue, May 1, 2012, 6:51 AM ET (1051 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
|
|
ViaSat taps Boeing for next-generation broadband satellite
Posted: Fri, May 17 9:00 AM ET (1300 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, May 20
British astronaut Tim Peake set for launch
Financial Times — 7:58 am ET (1158 GMT) PM: First astronaut 'momentous' for Great Britain
ITV — 7:57 am ET (1157 GMT) Sending astronaut is 'enormous logistical problem'
BBC — 7:57 am ET (1157 GMT) Dan Dare Dreams Big: British Astronaut Tim Peake To Visit Space Station in 2015
Forbes.com — 7:56 am ET (1156 GMT) Ground Control Names Major Tim First U.K. Astronaut in 20 Years
Bloomberg News — 7:55 am ET (1155 GMT) |
