The Space X Falcon 9 rocket successfully made it into orbit without exploding Friday. The Falcon 9 is the beginning of a new phase in commercial spaceflight as the space shuttle program ends its low-orbit cargo missions. The Falcon 9, a 180-foot-long two stage rocket, nailed its very first flight test Friday carrying a dummy version of the Space X Dragon capsule. Commercial spaceflight to the International Space Station for NASA took a major step with the successful launch.
Billion dollar spaceflight contracts
The Space X Falcon 9 is in line to replace NASA's space shuttles, which could be retired at the end of the year. Universe Today reports that SpaceX plans to fly up to three Falcon 9/Dragon test missions for NASA. Cargo deliveries to the International Space Station could begin with the Falcon 9’s fourth flight as early as next year. NASA has awarded Space X a $ 1.6 billion contract to continue space station resupply duties once the space shuttle fleet is retired.
NASA saves millions with Falcon 9
The Space X Falcon 9 rocket is the first spacecraft in a decade powered by a new U.S.-made rocket engine design. Since it was founded in 2002, the Orlando Sentinel reports that Space X has hired hundreds of former NASA employees and contractors. Space X founder Elon Musk is investing $ 100 million from the fortune he made by selling PayPal to pursue a goal of making spaceflight a lot more affordable. Musk has attracted another $ 300 million from investors. In comparison, the cancelled Constellation moon rocket program will eat up $ 300 million dollars a month until the end of the year.
Falcon 9 launch date roulette
A successful Falcon 9 rocket test was doubtful. Spaceflight experts give the typical launch test a 50-50 chance. Musk said the Falcon 9 had about a 70 or 80 percent chance of success at a press conference earlier in the week. In contrast the gun just clicks in Russian roulette 83 percent of the time . “So if anybody remembers that scene from ‘The Deer Hunter', that’s tomorrow,” Musk said. On its first test flight, the Space X Falcon 9 surprised the odds makers in a big way.
Space X – a lot more Falcon 9 tests planned
An earlier Space X rocket, the Falcon 1, took four tries before it achieved orbit. Whether or not private companies like Space X can meet NASA's needs for future spaceflight has been strenuously doubted by some in Congress and also the space industry. Nevertheless, the future of commercial spaceflight or Space X doesn't rest on Friday's test flight alone, Musk said.
Additional info at these websites
universetoday.com
orlandosentinel.com
cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com
No comments:
Post a Comment