credit SpaceX / caption: Elon Musks's comapny reaches another milestone
SpaceX press release
Precision rocket engine to control Dragon spacecraft on approach to International Space Station
McGregor, Texas (March XX, 2009) - Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully completed a rigorous qualification of its new Draco spacecraft thruster and Draco propulsion tank at the SpaceX Test Facility in McGregor, Texas
The Draco thruster test series included 42 firings with over 4,600 pulses of varying lengths and was performed in a vacuum test chamber to simulate the space environment. The series resulted in a total firing time of over 50 minutes on a single thruster.
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, recently selected by NASA as part of their Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract to carry cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) and return cargo to Earth, utilizes 18 Draco thrusters to provide precision control in orbit and while approaching the ISS.
"The Draco thrusters allow Dragon to maneuver in close proximity to the ISS in preparation for berthing or docking," said Tom Mueller VP Propulsion, SpaceX. "Maximum control during these procedures is critical for the safety of the station and its inhabitants."
Draco thrusters generate approximately 90 pounds of thrust using storable propellants with long on-orbit lifetimes. The use of these propellants provides the option for a crew-carrying Dragon spacecraft to remain berthed at the ISS for up to a year.
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to make its first flight in 2009 as part of NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Under COTS, SpaceX will demonstrate the Falcon 9 / Dragon system's ability to approach, berth, and transport cargo to and from the ISS. Following the demonstration of these capabilities, SpaceX will fly twelve cargo flights to the ISS for NASA's CRS contract.
Falcon 9, SpaceX's medium lift rocket, is scheduled for its inaugural flight later this year from SpaceX's launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida
on April 24, 2009 5:06 PM | Reply
Hey Elon, any date yet for the falcon 1 launch 5 ?
Does anybody have news on the status of the launch ?
on April 24, 2009 5:14 PM | Reply
Flight 5, the commercial launch for the Razaksat satellite has been postponed indefinitley while they sort out this "compatibility" issue. It does appear that the first Falcon 9 launch has also been delayed. Previously SpaceX were saying late summer for Falcon 9 and now they are saying later this year.
on April 24, 2009 6:20 PM | Reply
And so the truth unfolds: Musk isn't delivering what is promised because he doesn't have the means to be a real competitor - yet. One non-commercial lauch of a Falcon I doesn't mean a whole lot if it can't be repeated within a reasonable time frame. They are still trying, not succeeding.
on April 26, 2009 8:20 PM | Reply
I would think the truth is Elon is playing this game smart by taking the extra time and care to make sure this lauch and satellite delivery is a success. By not rushing and making mistakes early in the business he is ensuring a sound future and confident customer base for space x. This is still part of the development phase !
What he has done so far is nothing short of outstanding and exciting. This is the most excitment to date since man landed on the moon. The reason I say this is because if man ever leaves earth orbit again, the only one out there I see doing it is space x. The privite industry wants man travel out of orbit (moon and mars) and I think they will be the next to do it ahead of Nasa (the unknown variable). Their track record speaks for itself. Zero men out of earth orbit since Apollo 17 and nothing in the near future to come.
Brad