Thursday, June 26, 2008

SpaceX Tests Falcon 1 Rocket

Hawthorne-based SpaceX, the high profile, commercial spaceflight operation funded by Paypal founder Elon Musk, said today that it has completed a successful static test firing of its Falcon 1 rocket. According to the firm, it conducted a full launch dress rehearsal and hold down firing of its launch vehicle yesterday, in preparation for a launch of its rocket sometime between July and early September. The test comes ahead of the firm's third attempt at launching its rocket; two prior launch tests, one in March of 2006, and another in March of 2007, did not fully accomplish what the firm expected. SpaceX said this rocket will carry a payload that includes a satellite from the Jumpstart Program of the Department of Defense, and an adapter system developed by the government of Malaysia that holds two small NASA satellites. More information »

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