News and views from the World's Spaceports.

Posts tagged test launch

SpaceX launch first commercial spacecraft to re-enter atmosphere

Dec09
2010 1 Comment Written by Mike
SpaceX Falcon9 lift off from Cape Canaveral LC-40 with Dragon capsule on COTS 1 mission

SpaceX Falcon9 lift off from Cape Canaveral LC-40 with Dragon capsule on COTS 1 mission

Yesterday saw the successful and historic launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket boosting the Dragon cargo capsule into orbit.  After orbiting the Earth and performing several manoeuvring tests the Dragon capsule executed a de-orbit burn and successfully re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down into the Pacific Ocean.  The whole flight from launch to splashdown took just under 3 hours 20 minutes.

This was an incredible mission which managed to perform 100% of it’s milestones and targets, despite an expectation of 60-70% prior to launch.  There were a number of firsts on this launch, the most notable was the fact that this was the first (Commercial Orbital Transport Services) COTS mission, and the first commercial spacecraft to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and land.

Youtube: Our launch day video

READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, COTS, Dragon, Falcon, SpaceX - Tagged , , , , , , ,

SpaceX to test fire Falcon 9 main engine today

Dec03
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
SpaceX Falcon 9 static firing test of main engines (credit SpaceX)

SpaceX Falcon 9 static firing test of main engines (credit SpaceX)

Yesterday the SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon spaceship was rolled out to the launch pad and carefully aligned with it’s mounting points on launch pad 40 and erected.  The rocket was rolled out from the hanger on a rail system on a horizontal transport which incorporates an erector to move the spacecraft into the vertical ready for launch. After which the ground supplies were hooked up to the spacecraft allowing the fuelling, power, command and data feeds to start their respective tasks.

One of the main last pre-flight tests is to fire the nine first stage engines for a short burst to check that everything is working for the planned launch on Tuesday the 7th December.  While the rocket is on the launch pad it is held down by retaining arms and explosive bolts that enable the engines to power up to full boost before detonating and allowing the rocket to reach for the skies.  During the test these arms and bolts will keep the spacecraft stable and safe on the launch pad.  Unlike the Space Shuttle the Falcon 9 engines run on liquid fuel and it is possible to shut the engines down and thus safe the rocket.  Indeed the engines can be safely shut down at any time up to the detonation of the bolts on launch day.

The test firing is planned to take place at around 12pm EST (17:00 GMT).  SpaceX are planning to show this live on a webcast which will start at 11am.  This is later than announced in the press release. Check www.spacex.com for details.

The full SpaceX press release follows:

READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, COTS, Falcon, SpaceX - Tagged , , , , , ,

SpaceX prepares for Dec 7th launch of Falcon9/Dragon rocket

Dec01
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Falcon 9 on launch pad (Credit SpaceX)

Falcon 9 on launch pad (Credit SpaceX)

Technicians are getting ready for the next launch from Cape Canaveral.  On Monday 7th December launch complex 40 will see the second test flight from SpaceX when they launch a Falcon 9 rocket with a Dragon payload.

This flight is an orbital test of the Dragon capsule.  The primary objectives of the flight are: Launch and separate from Falcon 9, orbit Earth, transmit telemetry, receive commands, demonstrate orbital manoeuvring and thermal control, re-enter atmosphere, and recover Dragon spacecraft. It is anticipated that the capsule will perform between one and three orbits of the Earth before re-entering to splash down in the Pacific Ocean.

The Falcon/Dragon mission is part of the new COTS (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services) initiative whereby private companies will be contracted to prove and fly manned and unmanned missions to the ISS replacing the Space Shuttle.

READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, COTS, Dragon, Falcon, Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX - Tagged , , , , , ,

Virgin Galactic complete first commercial Sub-Orbital flight

Oct11
2010 1 Comment Written by Mike
GF01 Glide Flight- 1st test flight of SpaceShip2 (credit Mark Greenberg)

GF01 Glide Flight- 1st test flight of SpaceShip2 (credit Mark Greenberg)

Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic VSS Enterprise flawlessly completed a test flight to become the World’s first manned commercial spaceflight on 10/10/10, a memorable date for a memorable event.

When fully operational Virgin Galactic will take tourists to the edge of space and then return back to earth.  The experience will start out with the space ship mounted beneath the wings of  the mothership WhiteKinghtTwo code named Eve.  WhiteKinghtTwo will lift the space ship to a height of around 50,000 feet.

On attaining maximum altitude the  space ship will separate from the mothership and, with the assistance of a hybrid rocket motor, will boost the ship into space.  Once in orbit passengers will experience true zero gravity.

This does not come cheaply, of course, at $200,000 it is the price of a small house, but on the other hand you will join the elite ranks of astronauts who have shrugged off the effects of Earth’s gravitational pull…

The Virgin Galactic press release follows:

READ MORE »

Posted in Virgin Galactic - Tagged , , , ,

AmericaSpace Mission Tracker

Next Launch GPS IIF-4 on a Alas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFB, FL scheduled for 15 May 13 21:38:00 GMT

Launch
Days
Hrs
Min
Sec
Click here for more details...

Sponsorship by Google

Twitter Feed

  • NASA regains the capability to transport supplies and equipment to and from the ISS thanks to SpaceX
    http://t.co/AZWPTqM1
  • Today sees the launch of the 1st Commercial ISS resupply mission with a Falcon 9 / Dragon Capsule launch
    http://t.co/LNLf1pFK
  • A day in the life of the European Southern Observatory starting now at
    http://t.co/54rQi14S
  • The second stage has shut down for a second time placing the GPS IIF-3 Satellite into a third coast phase lasting for about 3 hours.

Photo of the day

STS-133 Discovery Last Flight NASA 28.jpg
STS-133 Discovery Last Flight NASA 28.jpg

KSC Launch Pad iPhone App

iPhone App: KSC Launch Pad now available!

NOW ONLY $0.99 / £0.59

Are you visiting Kennedy Space Center? Do you want to see a rocket launch?

If so then KSC Launch Pad is the only app you will need. Using local knowledge it shows you the best places to watch from and identifies all the major points of interest in and arround Kennedy Space Center.

Available now from the Apple AppStore. Click here for more details...

Categories