Yesterday at around 12:30 pm EST, SpaceX conducted a successful static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket lasting 3.5 seconds at their launch pad located in Kennedy Space Center. This test is prelude to the maiden launch of the Falcon 9 which is slated for April 12, the date of humankind's first ascent into space by Yuri Gagarin aboard the Vostok 1 in 1961.
The Falcon 9 will be powered by the Merlin 1-C rocket engines in both the 1st (9 Merlins) and 2nd stage (1 Merlin) utilizing a liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) fuel ignition mix. The Falcon 9 rocket launch system is slated to become one of the US's International Space Station cargo supply launch system under the COTS program. Orbital Sciences Taurus II/Cygnus launch system will be the other ISS cargo resupply platform. After 3 successful demonstration flights of Falcon 9, the F9 launch system will conduct 12 cargo supply mission to ISS under a $1.2 billion contract. The inaugural launch of Falcon 9 will not be part of the 3 demo flights. Here is an excerpt of SpaceX's bio:
In an era when most technology based products follow a path of ever-increasing capability and reliability while simultaneously reducing costs, launch vehicles today are little changed from those of 40 years ago. SpaceX aims to change this paradigm by developing a family of launch vehicles which will ultimately reduce the cost and increase the reliability of space access by a factor of ten. Coupled with the newly emerging market for private and commercial space transport, this new model will re-ignite humanity's efforts to explore and develop Space.
Our company is based on the philosophy that simplicity, low-cost, and reliability can go hand in hand. By eliminating the traditional layers of management, internally, and sub-contractors, externally, we reduce our costs while speeding decision making and delivery. Likewise, by keeping the vast majority of manufacturing in house, we reduce our costs, keep tighter control of quality, and ensure a tight feedback loop between the design and manufacturing teams. And by focusing on simple, proven designs with a primary focus on reliability, we reduce the costs associated with complex systems operating at the margin.
Established in 2002 by Elon Musk , the founder of PayPal and the Zip2 Corporation, SpaceX has already developed two brand new launch vehicles, established an impressive launch manifest, and been awarded COTS funding by NASA to demonstrate delivery and return of cargo to the International Space Station. Supported by this order book and Mr. Musk's substantial resources, SpaceX is on an extremely sound financial footing as we move towards volume commercial launches.
Below are some photos taken of the static fire test. For more information click on SpaceX link for their website.
Kudos to SpaceX and wishing them success on the inaugural launch of Falcon 9.
Note: Video are courtesy of SpaceX Media Relations. All photos are courtesy of Chris Thompson/SpaceX.