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Falcon 1 makes orbit!
SpaceX!
Well, this is pretty late, but I don't spend much time around CD during the off season, and I'm really surprised this hasn't shown up. On September 28th, SpaceX launched the Falcon 1 into orbit, and became the first privately funded company to do so. It really is a remarkable achievement. Even more amazing is the forthcoming Falcon 9 and Dragon space capsule. The Dragon space capsule is being developed under a COTS (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services) contract with NASA. It's currently just for cargo to the ISS, much like ESA's ATV. However, SpaceX is building a capsule that could become man-rated within two or three years if necessary. After the Soyuz waiver was recently approved, it isn't as much of a current issue, but it is still really really cool! The Falcon 9 which can lift the capsule with cargo to the ISS, is scheduled for a test launch from Cape Canaveral in early 2009, so that's pretty exciting as well. |
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Oh, and the first stage is recoverable. I would assume that also means reuseable. (Someone was saying something about reuseable liquid-fueled rockets a few minutes ago?;)) The site is pretty interesting; they've got a lot of information about their projects. |
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*I can't find the source for this, as I've got to go, but it's somewhere on SpaceX's media page. Quote:
As far as recoverability of the first stage goes, I'd assume that a good chunk of the system still needs to be overhauled after they pull it out of the water. I emailed them to see if they actually recovered the first stage from this flight, and am waiting to see if they get back to me after the weekend. |
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I should have asked them for more details--they had a booth at my college's Career Fair last Tuesday. (And yes, they are looking for interns, or starting to, for next year.)
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