Quote:
Originally Posted by iCurtis
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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Actually, the Dragon is planned to be man-capable. They're also working on Falcon 9 (heavy), which uses a pair of Falcon 9 first stages for extra boost.
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.
__________________
Past teams:
2003-2007: FRC0330 BeachBots
2008: FRC1135 Shmoebotics
2012: FRC4046 Schroedinger's Dragons
"Rockets are tricky..."--Elon Musk
