Successful rocket engine ground-test firings have taken Space Exploration Technologies and Orbital Sciences a step closer to filling their roles as key private-sector launch contractors to NASA.
SpaceX achieved a 3.5s firing of its Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin
first-stage engines in preparation for an April maiden flight. Orbital
is looking forward to verification and acceptance testing of its Taurus
II rocket's AJ26 engines at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi
beginning in April, paving the way to a first flight in 2011. Continue reading...
(SpaceX)
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