Tag: SpaceX
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Reducing risk via ground testing is a recipe for SpaceX success
SpaceX have noted they are happy with the technical progress being made on their new Falcon 9 v.1.1 (F 9-R) launch vehicle, as they prepare their next generation rocket for its role in upcoming launches and the future goal of creating a fully reusable launch system. UPDATE: SpaceX provided an update on Thursday evening, noting…
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Testing times for SpaceX’s new Falcon 9 v.1.1
Engineers at SpaceX’s Rocket Development and Test Facility in McGregor, Texas are continuing to conduct a series of firings of the company’s upgraded Falcon 9 v.1.1 launch vehicle – which is scheduled to debut this summer. Testing on the core stage – with its new Merlin 1D engines – has proven to be challenging, due…
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McAlister Discusses Commercial Crew Certification
In a recent presentation to the human exploration and operations committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC), Phil McAlister, Director of the Commercial Spaceflight Development discussed the next steps that will be necessary for commercial crew providers to be certified to begin transportation of commercial crew to the International Space Station in 2017. Optional Milestones…
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Washington teen wins NASA “Why Space Matters to the Future” video contest
Addie Augsburger’s video won first place. There’s just something about Washington teenagers and their ability to talk about space exploration creatively. The Coalition for Space Exploration and NASA just announced the winners of their “Why Space Matters to the Future” national video contest and two Washington teens won first and second place. The contest asked…
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USCV-1: NASA planners slip first ISS commercial crew mission to late 2017
The first NASA crew to ride to the International Space Station on a commercial spacecraft may have to wait until at least the end of 2017, after NASA’s planning group realigned the US Crew Vehicle -1 (USCV-1) mission to a launch date of November 30, 2017. The new schedule includes the Russian Soyuz manifested as…
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Dragon Splashdown concludes SpaceX’s CRS-2 mission
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, following its departure from the International Space Station (ISS). Known as End Of Mission (EOM) operations, Dragon’s safe return completed the second mission under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. SpaceX CRS-2 EOM: *CLICK HERE FOR THE LIVE COVERAGE SECTION FOR UP…
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Falcon 9 boost as Merlin 1D engine achieves major milestone
SpaceX’s Merlin 1D engine has achieved flight qualification status during its test program at the company’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas. An enhanced design to the engines that have flown on the first five Falcon 9 launches, the Merlin 1D will debut on the first Falcon 9 v1.1 launch this summer. Merlin 1D: SpaceX’s…
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SSRMS removes payload from Dragon trunk to mark new milestone
SpaceX’s CRS-2 (SpX-2) Dragon achieved another milestone on Wednesday, as the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) carefully removed a pair of grapple bars from the spacecraft’s trunk. The robotic operation marked another first – the delivery of unpressurized cargo from a commercial spacecraft to the ISS. CRS-2 Dragon: The SpaceX spacecraft is now enjoying…
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Resilient CRS-2 Dragon successfully berthed on the ISS
Back to full health, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft was captured and then berthed by the Canadarm 2 on the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday morning. Arriving just one day later than planned – due to required troubleshooting with the spacecraft’s propulsion system – Dragon marked its third arrival at the orbital outpost. CRS-2 Status –…
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CRS-2: Dragon’s tantrum subdued following Falcon 9 launch
SpaceX conducted its tenth launch on Friday, sending the fourth Dragon spacecraft on a mission to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). The launch of CRS-2 (SpX-2) – which also marked the fifth flight of the Falcon 9 carrier rocket – occurred at 10:10 Eastern (15:10 UTC). However, a problem with the Dragon’s thrusters required…