SpaceX successfully launched Falcon 9 today, Tuesday, 22nd May. Its Falcon 9 rocket mounted with Dragon capsule on the first ever non-governmental, commercial re-supply mission to the International space station (ISS) was launched successfully at about 13:14 IST today.
The first attempt by SpaceX on Saturday was aborted due to a faulty valve in one of the 9 Merlin engines fitted on the California company's Falcon 9 rocket and the lift-off was aborted half a second before the launch.
On Tuesday, the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off exactly as scheduled at 03:44 EDT (07:44 GMT / 13:14 IST), without a hitch.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off successfully with unmanned Dragon capsule loaded with half a tonne of food, spares, laptops and science experiments from almost 1000 schools across the USA. Once in orbit, the Dragon will chase down the ISS and berth with it. After a couple of weeks, the ship will return to Earth with equipment that needs to be repaired or trashed.
This mission has underlined the brilliance and concept of private Space flights and Space exploration as planned for the future by US government. There were many (in and outside the USA) who questioned the decision to entrust spaceflight programme to the private sector and the successful of SpaceX Falcon 9 has silenced them (at least for now).
Dragon is set to -
:-)
Here are the images of the successful launch of Falcon 9 rocket.
and zooming -
[image grabs from SpaceX webcast]
Related News:
(27 May 2012) : SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully docks with Space Station and Astronauts from ISS start work inside the Dragon capsule.
(31 May 2012) : SpaceX Dragon capsule splashes down successfully in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California.
The first attempt by SpaceX on Saturday was aborted due to a faulty valve in one of the 9 Merlin engines fitted on the California company's Falcon 9 rocket and the lift-off was aborted half a second before the launch.
On Tuesday, the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off exactly as scheduled at 03:44 EDT (07:44 GMT / 13:14 IST), without a hitch.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off successfully with unmanned Dragon capsule loaded with half a tonne of food, spares, laptops and science experiments from almost 1000 schools across the USA. Once in orbit, the Dragon will chase down the ISS and berth with it. After a couple of weeks, the ship will return to Earth with equipment that needs to be repaired or trashed.
This mission has underlined the brilliance and concept of private Space flights and Space exploration as planned for the future by US government. There were many (in and outside the USA) who questioned the decision to entrust spaceflight programme to the private sector and the successful of SpaceX Falcon 9 has silenced them (at least for now).
Dragon is set to -
- orbit the Earth on May 23 as it plays catch up with the ISS;
- undergo a series of tests, including a complicated fly-under the ISS at a distance of about 2.5 kilometres, on May 24;
- approach the ISS on May 25 in an attempt to berth with the station;
- be captured by the ISS's robotic arm (CANADARM) and attach to the mating hatch;
- open the hatch on May 26;
- detach from the station and make a safe landing in the Pacific Ocean on May 31st.
:-)
Here are the images of the successful launch of Falcon 9 rocket.
and zooming -
[image grabs from SpaceX webcast]
Related News:
(27 May 2012) : SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully docks with Space Station and Astronauts from ISS start work inside the Dragon capsule.
(31 May 2012) : SpaceX Dragon capsule splashes down successfully in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California.
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