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Unread 04-10-2008, 17:02
Ian Curtis Ian Curtis is offline
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FRC #1778 (Chill Out!)
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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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