Tag: spacex

SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket…..Finally

Today at 3:44AM SapceX finally launched their highly touted oft delayed Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Center. The Launch, which was originally slated for yesterday, was aborted due to a failed valve on engine #5 caused an unsafe rise in pressure in the engine.

The vehicle’s first stage performed nominally before separating from the second stage. The second stage successfully delivered the Dragon spacecraft into its intended orbit. This marks the third consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch and the fifth straight launch success for SpaceX.

With the launch being a success, then NASA has a few benchmarks for the Dragon to meet and if it does, they will try to dock it to the International Space Station.“We obviously have to go through a number of steps to berth with the Space Station, but everything is looking really good and I think I would count today as a success no matter what happens with the rest of the mission,” SpaceX boss Elon Musk said.

If the mission of docking with the ISS is successful, then SpaceX will begin to fulfill its contract through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The resupply contract for the International Space Station has it making 12 runs, and since it is reusable, they will have the ability to ferry items back and forth, not just trash but experiments.“This mission heralds the dawn of a new era of space exploration, one in which there is a significant commercial space element.” said Musk. ” It is like the advent of the Internet in the mid-1990s when commercial companies entered what was originally a government endeavor. That move dramatically accelerated the pace of advancement and made the Internet accessible to the mass market. I think we’re at a similar inflection point for space. I hope and I believe that this mission will be historic in marking that turning point towards a rapid advancement in space transportation technology.”

The Dragon space capsule was designed to ferry humans also, so it is hoped that it will one day be the primary transport for NASA astronauts.

Mission Highlights: During the mission, Dragon must perform a series of complex tasks, each presenting significant technical challenges (dates subject to change):

May 22: Launch Day: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches a Dragon spacecraft into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
May 23: Dragon orbits Earth as it travels toward the International Space Station.
May 24: Dragon’s sensors and flight systems are subjected to a series of complicated tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the space station; these tests include maneuvers and systems checks in which the vehicle comes within 1.5 miles of the station.
May 25: NASA decides if Dragon is allowed to attempt berthing with the station. If so, Dragon approaches. It is captured by station’s robotic arm and attached to the station, a feat that requires extreme precision.
May 25 – 31: Astronauts open Dragon’s hatch, unload supplies and fill Dragon with return cargo.
May 31: After approximately two weeks, Dragon is detached from the station and returns to Earth, landing in the Pacific, hundreds of miles west of Southern California.

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@SpaceX The Falcon 9 rocket’s engines ignite on the SpaceX launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, May 22, 2012. http://t.co/lL54HsUu
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May 22, 2012
SpaceX Launch Aborted At Last Second

The long awaited, oft delayed launch of the Falcon 9 rocket from the private space firm SpaceX has been delayed again after a failed valve on engine #5 caused an unsafe rise in pressure in the engine. The rise in pressure could have caused an explosion so the mission was aborted shortly before launch. The mission is slated for a relaunch try on May 22nd.

The SpaceX guys went on Google+ to tell us the update on the problem:

SpaceX 1 day ago Engineers replacing failed valve on engine #5 following today’s abort. Data review Sunday, if all looks good next attempt is Tues. May 22 at 3:44 AM ET 434 67 Powered by socialditto

SpaceX also released a statement regarding the aborted launch:

“Today’s launch was aborted when the flight computer detected slightly high pressure in the engine 5 combustion chamber. We have discovered root cause and repairs are underway. During rigorous inspections of the engine, SpaceX engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine. We are now in the process of replacing the failed valve. Those repairs should be complete tonight. We will continue to review data on Sunday. If things look good, we will be ready to attempt to launch on Tuesday, May 22nd at 3:44 AM Eastern.”

Here is a short part of the interview about the abort with the abort video at the end:

Here is the full interview from NASA and SpaceX explaining the abort:

If the Falcon 9 ever launches and is successful, the Dragon capsule will dock to the International Space Station, then SpaceX will begin to fulfill its contract through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The resupply contract for the International Space Station has it making 12 runs, and since it is reusable, they will have the ability to ferry items back and forth, not just trash but experiments.

May 21, 2012
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Set To Launch Dragon Into Space

After a successful test firing of the Falcon 9 boosters, and what seems like 300 delays, the crew at SpaceX are finally set to launch their rocket into space. The Falcon 9 will attempt to deliver its payload, the Dragon space capsule, to the ISS for docking. If the launch is deemed successful by NASA, SpaceX will get the OK to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) to deliver its payload and take on trash.

If the mission is successful, then SpaceX will begin to fulfill its contract through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The resupply contract for the International Space Station has it making 12 runs, and since it is reusable, they will have the ability to ferry items back and forth, not just trash but experiments.

Everyone seems to be excited about the launch except for CEO Elon Musk who told the NewYorkTimes, “I think there’s a significant chance that the mission does not succeed.”

The launch is scheduled for 4:15am tomorrow morning from Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Live webcam feed can be seen here.

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@elonmuskJust passed final launch review with @NASA. All systems go for liftoff on Sat morn. Webcast live at http://t.co/VrDqA7aq.
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May 18, 2012
SpaceX Finally Sets Date For Dragon Launch

On May 19th, private space firm SpaceX, will finally launch its vaunted Falcon 9 rocket into space. Aboard the rocket is the Dragon space capsule. The hopes of this launch is to have the Dragon capsule dock with the International Space Station and both deliver a payload and unload space garbage.

The launch was originally suppose to take place on May 7th, but was delayed for unknown reasons. Most people believe that it was for the SpaceX engineers to tweak the programming one last time to make sure that the capsule will be able to meet its specified goal.

If the Falcon 9 launch is successful, and the Dragon capsule is able to dock to te International Space Station, then SpaceX will begin to fulfill its contract through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The resupply contract for the International Space Station has it making 12 runs, and since it is reusable, they will have the ability to ferry items back and forth, not just trash but experiments.

The Falcon 9/Dragon program is part of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement has been worth about $381 million for hitting 37 out of 40 milestones, and that will hit $396 million if SpaceX is able to hit them all.

Between SpaceX and Virgin, it is nice to see private companies take a risk like this. Even though they do have government grants, the owners did have to take a risk to get SpaceX up and running.

The launch is set for Saturday, 19 May at 8.55 GMT, with coverage starting on NASA TV at 7.30 GMT.

May 14, 2012
SpaceX Has To Delay ISS Launch….Again

SpaceX is trying to be the very first private company to launch a rocket into space and have it link up with the International Space Station to deliver cargo. Well, it has hit another snag. The engineers at Space X have had to delay the launch for the second time.

On Monday April 30th, SpaceX successfully tested the Falcon 9 rocket propulsion system. In doing so they set themselves up for the first launch to actually try to attach to the ISS with the Dragon module that sits atop the rocket. The Dragon module is the first of it’s kind as it is designed to both support the transportation of cargo and humans.

They have delayed the launch, that was originally suppose to be on May 7th, to a later unknown date. A software problem seems to be the culprit. “I think we have a got a pretty good shot but it is worth emphasizing that there is a lot that can go wrong on a mission like this,” Paypal Co-Founder Elon Musk said.

If the Dragon is found capable of doing it’s job, SpaceX will then start to fulfill its Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract for NASA for at least 12 missions to carry cargo to and from the space station.

Since the space shuttle was retired, only Russia has the ability to shoot astronauts into space. SpaceX wants to give the world a non-Russian alternative to putting people in space.

May 3, 2012
SpaceX Preps Test For May 7th Space Flight

On Monday April 30th, 2012, SpaceX will do a static launch test of their rocket propulsion system, called Falcon 9, in advance of their planned launch. The static launch, which is available for viewing here will start at 2:30pm EST with the actual static firing of the rocket boosters taking place at 3:00pm EST. The Firing, which will take place at SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, is part of a full dress rehearsal for the real launch to take place shortly thereafter on May 7th.

The dress rehearsal will also have SpaceX engineers running through all countdown processes as though it were launch day. The exercise will end with all nine engines firing at full power for two seconds. If the test is successful, then SpaceX will launch a Dragon spacecraft into low-Earth orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket. If that launch in May is successful, then the spacecraft will get the approval form NASA to dock with the International Space Station and the crew there will unload the cargo.

If the Dragon is found capable of doing it’s job, SpaceX will then start to fulfill its Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract for NASA for at least 12 missions to carry cargo to and from the space station. Dragon and Falcon 9 were designed to carry astronauts but this mission will give them valuable experience.

SpaceX made history in December of 2010 by the first commercial company in history to send a spacecraft to orbit and return it safely to Earth.

April 27, 2012
SpaceX Prepares for Historic Launch This May

After a series of delays, SpaceX is finally expected to launch on May 7th. The event will mark the first time a privately owned vessel has made the long, hard trip to the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, this adventure represents a return to space travel since NASA famously ended its program last year.

The Dragon, a transport that will carry supplies to those on-board the ISS, was originally scheduled to make its excursion into the the cosmos on February 7th. However, SpaceX determined that more tests were required before properly launching the capsule, pushing the date back to April. Now that everything appears to be a-okay with the space-bound container, officials have penciled its initial flight for May. The time of the launch is scheduled for 9:38am.

When the Dragon docks with the ISS, it will bring with it 1,149 pounds of cargo. The return trip home will find the capsule carrying a 1,455 payload back to Earth.

Privately funded trips into space are expected to become the norm within the next ten years. NASA has dumped an impressive $270 millions into such programs, which they hope will become big business in the near future. These commercial flights will also allow US astronauts to make trips to the ISS without relying on the Russian space program for assistance, the price for which is estimated to skyrocket by 2015.

Companies such as BlueOrigin LLC, Sierra Nevada Corporation, and Boeing are looking to toss their space-friendly hats into the proverbial ring, as well.

For an animated look at what’s expected to transpire at the International Space Station this May, take a peek at the video embedded below.

April 25, 2012
PayPal Founder’s SpaceX Preps First Human-Piloted Shuttle Launch

It’s been about fourteen months since the first successful private spaceship launch, Dragon, and now that same space exploration company is prepping to step into their next phase: a human-piloted launch.

SpaceX, founded by PayPal co-founder Elon Musk, is preparing the next flight test in which the Dragon spacecraft will go to the International Space Station: first with supplies then, later, with humans. SpaceX is notable in space exploration history as it was the first private company to ever receive the Federal Aviation Administration’s commercial license to reenter a spacecraft from orbit. More, in safely returning its spacecraft to earth, SpaceX achieved what only six countries on earth have been able to do.

Since the success of Dragon back in 2010, the company’s been working on the crew cabin digs for Dragon to function in both nominal and off-nominal scenarios. Details were provided from an update on SpaceX’s website:

The engineering prototype includes seven seats as well as representations of crew accommodations such as lighting, environmental control and life support systems, displays, cargo racks, and other interior systems. During the daylong test, SpaceX and NASA evaluators including four NASA astronauts, participated in human factors assessments which covered entering and exiting Dragon under both normal and contingency cases, as well as reach and visibility evaluations. The seven seats mount to strong, lightweight supporting structures attached to the pressure vessel walls. Each seat can hold an adult up to 6 feet 5 inches tall, 250 lbs, and has a liner that is custom-fit for the crewmember.

As you can see, the crew looks like they’re having a pretty good time fitting their seats out.

If that wasn’t big enough, the cabin also has enough room to accomodate three additional people. To convey exactly how capacious this shuttle is, SpaceX notes that a three-person Soyuz capsule descent module could fit inside of Dragon’s pressure vessel. For reference’s sake, the Soyuz had more than seven cubic meters of living space inside of it. For you non-metric minded, that’s over 247 cubic feet. In other words, say goodbye to astro-claustrophobia.

That white-coated gent in the center there, by the way, is Musk calmly contemplating the future of space exploration.

Back in December 2010, Gizmodo, who tipped off the news of SpaceX’s plans for a human-piloted launch, documented Dragon’s first successful launch with live coverage as well with a couple of videos of the launch.

Below you can check out an altitude test of Dragon that was conducted back in August 2010 in order to confirm the functionality of the parachute deployment systems and recovery options.

If all goes well with SpaceX’s plans this year, the company stands to press the business of space exploration into some exhilarating new directions.

March 19, 2012