Wed, Oct 06, 2010
Requested Launch Date Is Just Over A Month Away
SpaceX is continuing its preparations for the next launch of a
Falcon 9 rocket, which will include the first flight of an
operational Dragon spacecraft. November 8 is currently the
projected launch date. This will also the first launch under NASA's
Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Under
COTS, NASA is partnering with commercial companies like SpaceX to
develop and demonstrate space transportation capabilities.
The upcoming demonstration mission will launch from Cape
Canaveral and should follow a flight plan nearly identical to the
first Falcon 9 launch, but this time the Dragon spacecraft will
separate from the second stage and will demonstrate operational
communications, navigation, maneuvering and reentry. Although it
does not have wings like Shuttle, the Dragon spacecraft is
controlled throughout reentry by the onboard Draco thrusters which
enable the spacecraft to touchdown at a very precise location -
ultimately within a few hundred yards of its target.
First Falcon 9 Launch
For this first demo flight, Dragon will make multiple orbits of
the Earth as all of its systems are tested, and will then fire its
thrusters to begin reentry, returning to Earth for a Pacific Ocean
splashdown off the coast of Southern California. The entire mission
should last around four hours.
While Dragon will initially make water landings, the long term
plans call for Dragon will be landing on land.
The recent passage in Congress of the NASA Authorization
Act of 2010, set a new direction for human space exploration. The
U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to authorize
funding for a robust and viable U.S. space program.
Dragon COTS
SpaceX believes this is a critical step forward, which will
allow America to continue to lead the way in space exploration. The
bill sets NASA on an exciting course to focus on exploration beyond
low-Earth orbit, while recognizing the valuable role American
companies are ready to undertake in ending our reliance on Russia
to carry our astronauts to the International Space Station.
SpaceX says that, as it moves forward with this first demo
flight under the COTS program, they look forward to helping jump
start America's space program and secure our leadership position in
space.
More News
Airbus Racer Demonstrator Makes Inaugural Flight Airbus Helicopters' ambitious Racer demonstrator has achieved its inaugural flight as part of the Clean Sky 2 initiative, a corners>[...]
A little Bit Quieter, Said Testers, But in the End it's Still a DA40 Diamond Aircraft recently completed a little pilot project with Lufthansa Aviation Training, putting a pair of >[...]
Line Up And Wait (LUAW) Used by ATC to inform a pilot to taxi onto the departure runway to line up and wait. It is not authorization for takeoff. It is used when takeoff clearance >[...]
Contributing To The Accident Was The Pilot’s Use Of Methamphetamine... Analysis: The pilot departed on a local flight to perform low-altitude maneuvers in a nearby desert val>[...]
From 2015 (YouTube Version): Overcoming Obstacles To Achieve Their Dreams… At EAA AirVenture 2015, FedEx arrived with one of their Airbus freight-hauling aircraft and placed>[...]
Airbus Racer Helicopter Demonstrator First Flight Part of Clean Sky 2 Initiative
See All