SpaceX has completed the final test firing of the Falcon 9 2nd stage motor at MacGregor test facility in Texas. The 2nd stage motor is now being packed up and shipped to Kennedy Space Center for integration with assembly of the first Falcon 9 prototype. The maiden launch of the Falcon 9 is scheduled tentatively for March 3.
A successful demonstration flight with the Dragon module onboard will pave the way for Space X to complete 2 more COTS demonstration flights and begin operation for its Cargo Resupply Service contract to deliver cargo to International Space Station.
The above photo was taken over a year ago when the Falcon 9 launcher was assembled and raised to test its launch pad operations and logistics. Below is a photo released recently by SpaceX of the 2nd stage orbital insertion firing conducted on January 2, 2010.
SpaceX also sent out a press release with a personal message from SpaceX founder and owner Elon Musk discussing SpaceX activities during 2009.
Monday, January 4, 2009
The SpaceX team kicked off 2010 with the successful full duration orbit insertion firing of the Falcon 9 second stage at our Texas test site (details below). This was the final stage firing required for launch, so the second stage will soon be packaged for shipment and should arrive at Cape Canaveral by end of month. Depending on how well full vehicle integration goes, launch should occur one to three months later.
2009 was an exciting year for SpaceX. In July, with the successful launch of RazakSAT, Falcon 1 became the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to put a commercial satellite in orbit. That same month, DragonEye--SpaceX's Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor--launched on NASA's STS-127 shuttle mission and successfully completed flight system trials in preparation for guiding the Dragon spacecraft as it approaches the International Space Station. We also hosted the first astronaut training day at our Hawthorne headquarters in preparation for flights to the Space Station.
Last year also saw the successful arc jet testing of PICA-X, SpaceX's high performance heat shield material developed in collaboration with NASA, which will be used to protect our Dragon spacecraft on reentry. And our Merlin Vacuum engine demonstrated the highest efficiency ever for an American hydrocarbon rocket engine. SpaceX also signed deals with several key customers, including CONAE (Argentina's National Commission on Space Activity), Astrium and Orbcomm.
The ongoing evolution of the commercial space industry was recently featured as the cover story ("The New Space Rush") in Popular Science magazine. The article provided a great perspective on the industry as a whole, but I disagree with the subheading, "Who Needs NASA?". If you read the article, it's clear their intent was just to convey excitement for the developments in commercial space, but obviously NASA is and always will be critical to the future of space exploration, particularly at the outer edge where there is no commercial market. Without NASA, SpaceX certainly would not be where it is today.
As we get closer to our first Falcon 9 launch, SpaceX would like to thank NASA, the Air Force, the FAA and our commercial customers for their continued support. And, of course, I would like to thank the whole SpaceX team for their unwavering commitment to our company and our mission, especially over these last few months. Through their hard work and dedication, 2010 promises to be another great year.
--Elon--
For more information and pictures go click on this link, Space Exploration Technologies Falcon 9 update.
Update: FerrisValyn posted an excellent Youtube video depicting the Falcon 9/Dragon launch and ISS servicing in Comments.