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DRAGON SPLASHES DOWN SAFELY WITH SPACE STATION CARGO

March 26, 2013

At 9:34 a.m. PDT on March 26, 2013, SpaceX’s Dragon returned safely from its second official resupply mission to the International Space Station, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean about 200 miles off the coast of southern California. The spacecraft brought back nearly 3,200 lbs of station cargo and packaging, including space station hardware, supplies and scientific samples. Dragon is the only spacecraft capable of returning a payload of this size to Earth. SpaceX recovery boats quickly reached Dragon, lifted the spacecraft on deck, and returned it to the Port of Los Angeles the following day. Dragon is now at SpaceX's facility in McGregor, Texas for cargo unload and processing.

Dragon’s flag flies high on the SpaceX recovery boat. Photo: SpaceX

Dragon is spotted from the recovery boats with three main parachutes deployed, coming down for a successful splashdown. Photo: SpaceX

Dragon splashes down in the Pacific Ocean. Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX recovery boats reach Dragon and lift the spacecraft on board. Photo: SpaceX

Dragon is secured aboard the recovery boat for its journey back to California. Photo: SpaceX

Dragon makes its way across the Pacific on the recovery boat. Photo: SpaceX

Dragon arrives at the Port of Los Angeles on the evening of March 27. Mission accomplished! Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX Turns 11

March 14, 2013

Eleven years ago today SpaceX was founded with the goal of helping make the human race a multi-planetary species. With the support
of NASA, our customers and many others, we remain firmly committed to this goal and will do everything within our power to help make
this happen.

HAPPY BERTH DAY

March 3, 2013

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft berthed* to the International Space Station at approximately 8:56 a.m. EST Sunday, installed onto the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module. At 1:14 p.m. EST, astronauts on board the ISS opened Dragon's hatch and begin unloading cargo. Dragon arrived to station with over 2,300 pounds of pressurized and unpressurized cargo and packaging to ensure safe travel, and during the next 22 days, astronauts will unload and then load cargo, including materials to support critical science experiments. Dragon will return to Earth with over 3,000 pounds of cargo, and has a targeted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja, Calif. on March 25. Dragon is the only spacecraft in the world today capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth.

“SpaceX is proud to execute this important work for NASA, and we’re thrilled to bring this capability back to the United States,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. “Today’s launch continues SpaceX’s long-term partnership with NASA to provide reliable, safe transport of cargo to and from the station, enabling beneficial research and advancements in technology and research.”

*Berthing means attaching to the International Space Station under the guidance of the station's robotic arm. Berthing occurs after the station's robotic arm grapples or captures the spacecraft and guides it in to attach to the International Space Station. When Dragon begins to fly crew, the spacecraft will dock with station--attaching directly without the use of the robotic arm.

For real-time updates on mission progress, visit www.spacex.com/webcast.

CRS-2 Update

March 3, 2013

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft was successfully captured by the robotic arm of the International Space Station at 5:31 a.m. EST Sunday. Dragon is expected to be connected to the space station at approximately 9:40am EST on Sunday. Check www.spacex.com/webcast for additional updates.

SpaceX Achieves Fifth Consecutive Falcon 9 Launch During Second Official Cargo Resupply Mission

March 1, 2013

Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to orbit for SpaceX’s second mission under its Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA. Falcon 9 completed its job perfectly, continuing its 100 percent success rate.

“Falcon 9 was designed to be the world’s most reliable rocket, and today’s launch validated this by adding to Falcon 9’s perfect track record with our fifth success in a row,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX.

After Dragon separated from Falcon 9’s second stage approximately nine minutes after launch, a minor issue with some of Dragon’s oxidizer tanks was detected. Within a few hours, SpaceX engineers had identified and corrected the issue, normalizing the oxidizer pressure and returning operations to normal. Dragon recomputed its ascent profile as it was designed to and is now on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) with possible arrival on Sunday, just one day past the original timeline.

Dragon is the only spacecraft in the world today capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth. Dragon is traveling to the ISS with over 2,300 pounds of cargo and packaging to ensure safe travel, and will return with over 3,000 pounds. Dragon will stay on station for a three-week visit, during which astronauts will unload cargo and supplies for the ISS, including critical materials to support science investigations, then fill the capsule with a payload that includes research results, education experiments and space station hardware.

Updates on the CRS-2 mission can be found at www.spacex.com/webcast. Broadcast quality video may be downloaded at vimeo.com/spacexlaunch and high-resolution photos are posted at spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com.

CRS-2 Update

March 1, 2013

All thruster pods are now operating nominally and Dragon has successfully completed an orbit raising burn, putting it back on track to rendezvous with the International Space Station.

CRS-2 Update

March 1, 2013

Falcon 9 lifted off as planned and experienced a nominal flight. After Dragon achieved orbit, the spacecraft experienced an issue with a propellant valve. One thruster pod is running. We are trying to bring up the remaining three. We did go ahead and get the solar arrays deployed. Once we get at least 2 prop pods running, we will begin a series of burns to get to station.

SpaceX Conducts Successful Static Fire

February 25, 2013

On Monday, February 25, 2013 at 1:30 PM ET, SpaceX conducted a successful static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket, in advance of a targeted March mission to the International Space Station. The nine-engine test took place at the company's Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as part of a full launch dress rehearsal leading up to SpaceX CRS-2, the second official cargo resupply mission under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.

During the static fire test today, SpaceX engineers ran through all countdown processes as though it were launch day. All nine engines fired at full power for two seconds, while the Falcon 9 was held down to the pad. SpaceX will now conduct a thorough review of all data and continue preparations for Friday's targeted launch.

The first launch opportunity for CRS-2 is currently scheduled for 10:10 AM ET on Friday, March 1.

SPACEX'S GRASSHOPPER TAKES GIANT LEAP TOWARDS REUSABILITY WITH 12-STORY FLIGHT

December 24, 2012

SpaceX's Grasshopper took a 12-story leap towards full and rapid rocket reusability in a test flight conducted December 17, 2012 at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas.

Grasshopper, SpaceX’s vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (VTVL), rose 131 feet (40 meters), hovered and landed safely on the pad using closed loop thrust vector and throttle control. The total test duration was 29 seconds.

Grasshopper stands 10 stories tall and consists of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage, Merlin 1D engine, four steel landing legs with hydraulic dampers, and a steel support structure.

The 12-story flight marks a significant increase over the height and length of hover of Grasshopper’s previous test flights, which took place earlier this fall. In September, Grasshopper flew to 1.8 meters (6 feet), and in November, it flew to 5.4 meters (17.7 feet/2 stories) including a brief hover.

Testing of Grasshopper will continue with successively more sophisticated flights expected over the next several months.

Photo, SpaceX

SPACEX TESTS GRASSHOPPER ROCKET IN TWO-STORY HOP

November 12, 2012

On November 1, 2012, SpaceX's Grasshopper -- a 10-story vertical takeoff and landing (VTVL) vehicle -- lifted nearly two stories in an 8-second duration test hop. The rocket rose 17.7 feet (5.4 meters), hovered, and touched back down safely on the pad at SpaceX's rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas.

The Grasshopper program is a critical step toward achieving SpaceX's goal of developing fully and rapidly reusable rockets. With Grasshopper, SpaceX engineers are testing the technology that would allow a launched rocket to land intact, rather than burning up upon reentry to
Earth's atmosphere.

Photo, SpaceX

Grasshopper consists of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage, Merlin 1D engine, four steel landing legs with hydraulic dampers, and a steel support structure. For a sense of its scale, note the blue pick-up truck to the left of Grasshopper in the photo above.

Dragon Spacecraft Returns to Earth in First Official Cargo Resupply Mission to Space Station

October 28, 2012

Hawthorne, CA -- Today at 12:22 p.m. PT, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft returned to Earth from the International Space Station, safely splashing down approximately 250 miles off the coast of southern California.

"This historic mission signifies the restoration of America's ability to deliver and return critical space station cargo," said SpaceX CEO and Chief Technical Officer Elon Musk. "The reliability of SpaceX's technology and the strength of our partnership with NASA provide a strong foundation for future missions and achievements to come."

Dragon departed the station early this morning with 1,673 pounds of return cargo including hardware, supplies, and a GLACIER freezer packed with scientific samples. Dragon is the only craft capable of returning a significant amount of supplies to Earth, and this mission marks the first time since the space shuttle that NASA has been able to return research samples for analysis.

The SpaceX recovery team is now transporting Dragon by boat to a port near Los Angeles, where early cargo will be delivered to NASA. Dragon then will be transported to SpaceX's facility in McGregor, Texas for processing. There, the remaining cargo will be delivered to NASA.

The mission, called CRS-1, began October 7, when the Falcon 9 rocket launched Dragon from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. SpaceX and NASA are currently investigating an anomaly that occurred with one of Falcon 9's first-stage engines during the launch. Analysis to date supports initial findings: the engine experienced a rapid loss of pressure and Falcon 9's flight computer immediately commanded shutdown, as it is designed to do in such cases. The team will continue to meticulously analyze all data in an effort to determine root cause and will apply those findings to future flights.

This mission is the first of at least 12 to the International Space Station that SpaceX will fly under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.

Dragon post-splashdown, 10/28/12
To download this and other images from the mission: http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com/p278054961

Preview: Dragon's Release from Station and Return to Earth

October 26, 2012

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is expected to complete the CRS-1 cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station on Sunday,
October 28.

In California, SpaceX crew have already headed to the Pacific Ocean splashdown zone to await Dragon’s arrival, while at the station, Expedition 33 crew members are readying Dragon’s return cargo, including biological samples that have been stored in the station’s freezers since the retirement of the space shuttle.

The crew’s first task on Sunday will be to depressurize the vestibule between Dragon and the station so that the spacecraft can be released. The spacecraft will then be detached from the space station and eased out to release position by way of the station’s robotic arm.

When the station astronauts are ready, SpaceX gives a go, NASA gives a go, and the crew releases Dragon, expected to take place at approximately 6:25 a.m. PT Sunday.

Dragon then begins a series of thruster firings to carry it away from the space station, closes its GNC door, and begins its deorbit burn. Ready to reenter the atmosphere, Dragon jettisons its trunk and solar arrays, positions itself so that its PICA-X heat shield faces the Earth, and proceeds into the Earth’s atmosphere.

When Dragon reaches 13,700 meters (45,000 feet) above sea level, it will deploy two drogue parachutes to slow its descent. At 3,000 meters (10,000 feet), it will deploy its three main parachutes and drift slowly toward the splashdown site. Splashdown is expected to take place at approximately 12:20 p.m. PT.

After Dragon is secured, the SpaceX team will then place the vehicle on the deck of a 100-foot boat for the journey back to shore. Early-arrival cargo will be delivered to NASA within 48 hours of splashdown. Dragon will then travel from Southern California to SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas, where the remaining cargo will be unloaded, processed, and delivered to NASA.

For real-time updates throughout Dragon’s reentry and splashdown, follow @SpaceX on Twitter and visit spacex.com/webcast.

SpaceX Dragon Successfully Attaches to Space Station

October 10, 2012

Hawthorne, CA -- For the second time this year, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is at the International Space Station. Expedition 33 crew members Akihiko Hoshide and Sunita Williams today grappled Dragon and attached it to the station, completing a critical stage of the SpaceX CRS-1 cargo resupply mission.

Hoshide used the station's robotic arm to capture Dragon and guide it to the station's Harmony module, and then Expedition 33 Commander Williams installed Dragon to Harmony's common berthing mechanism, enabling it to be bolted in place for an expected 18-day stay at the station.

Upon capture, Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA remarked, "Looks like we've tamed the Dragon."

Grappling was complete at 6:56AM ET, and at 9:03AM ET Dragon was attached to the space station.

"This is a big moment in the course of this mission and for commercial spaceflight," said SpaceX CEO and Chief Technical Officer Elon Musk. "We are pleased that Dragon is now ready to deliver its cargo to the International Space Station."

Next, the station crew will pressurize the vestibule between the station and Dragon and open the hatch that leads to the forward bulkhead of the spacecraft. The crew will then begin unloading Dragon's cargo, which includes crew supplies, vehicle hardware, experiments, and an ultra-cold freezer for storing scientific samples.

The mission, designated SpaceX CRS-1, is the first of at least 12 that SpaceX will perform under NASA's $1.6 billion Commercial Resupply Services contract. Only SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is capable of both carrying significant amounts of cargo to the station and returning cargo to Earth.

Dragon is expected to be released from the space station on October 28 with return cargo that will include used station hardware and more than a ton of scientific samples. Splashdown and recovery in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern California will follow the same day.

SpaceX CRS-1 Mission Update

October 10, 2012

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has been successfully captured at the International Space Station.

At approximately 6:56AM ET / 3:56AM PT, Expedition 33 crew member Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency used the station’s robotic arm to grapple Dragon.

Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA remarked, “Looks like we’ve tamed the Dragon. We’re happy she’s on board with us.”

Approximately two and a half hours from grapple (exact time variable), Williams will gently install Dragon to Harmony’s Common Berthing Mechanism, enabling it to be bolted in place for its expected two and a half week stay at the International Space Station.

SpaceX CRS-1 Mission Update

October 8, 2012

The Dragon spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station this morning and is performing nominally following the launch of the SpaceX CRS-1 official cargo resupply mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 8:35PM ET Sunday, October 7, 2012.

Approximately one minute and 19 seconds into last night’s launch, the Falcon 9 rocket detected an anomaly on one first stage engine. Initial data suggests that one of the rocket’s nine Merlin engines, Engine 1, lost pressure suddenly and an engine shutdown command was issued. We know the engine did not explode, because we continued to receive data from it. Panels designed to relieve pressure within the engine bay were ejected to protect the stage and other engines. Our review of flight data indicates that neither the rocket stage nor any of the other eight engines were negatively affected by this event.

As designed, the flight computer then recomputed a new ascent profile in real time to ensure Dragon’s entry into orbit for subsequent rendezvous and berthing with the ISS. This was achieved, and there was no effect on Dragon or the cargo resupply mission.

Falcon 9 did exactly what it was designed to do. Like the Saturn V (which experienced engine loss on two flights) and modern airliners, Falcon 9 is designed to handle an engine out situation and still complete its mission. No other rocket currently flying has this ability.

It is worth noting that Falcon 9 shuts down two of its engines to limit acceleration to 5 g's even on a fully nominal flight. The rocket could therefore have lost another engine and still completed its mission.

We will continue to review all flight data in order to understand the cause of the anomaly, and will devote the resources necessary to identify the problem and apply those lessons to future flights. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Dragon is expected to begin its approach to the station on October 10, where it will be grappled and berthed by Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA. Over the following weeks, the crew will unload Dragon’s payload and reload it with cargo to be returned to Earth. Splashdown is targeted for October 28.

SpaceX Conducts Successful Static Fire

September 29, 2012

On Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 1:30 PM ET, SpaceX conducted a successful static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket, in advance of a targeted October 7 mission to the International Space Station.

The nine-engine test took place at the company's Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as part of a full launch dress rehearsal leading up to SpaceX CRS-1, the first official cargo resupply mission under NASA?s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. This will be the first of at least 12 contracted flights to the space station.

During the static fire test today, SpaceX engineers ran through all countdown processes as though it were launch day. All nine engines fired at full power for two seconds, while the Falcon 9 was held down to the pad. Post static fire, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data, and the Dragon spacecraft will be mated to Falcon 9 in preparation for next Sunday's targeted launch.

The single instantaneous launch opportunity for CRS-1 is currently scheduled at 8:35PM ET on Sunday, October 7 with backup launch opportunities available on October 8 and 9.

GRASSHOPPER TAKES ITS FIRST HOP

September 24, 2012

On Friday, September 21, SpaceX's Grasshopper vertical takeoff and landing test vehicle (VTVL) took its first test flight hop from the company's rocket testing facility in McGregor, Texas.

The short hop of approximately 6 feet is the first major milestone for Grasshopper, and a critical step toward a reusable first stage for SpaceX's proven Falcon 9 rocket. As seen in the video, Grasshopper consists of a Falcon 9 first stage, a Merlin-1D engine, four steel landing legs, and a steel support structure.

SpaceX is working to develop vehicles that are fully and rapidly reusable, a key element to radically reducing cost and increasing the efficiency of spaceflight.

Testing of Grasshopper continues, with the next big milestone -- a hover at roughly 100 feet -- expected in the next several months.

October 7 Announced as Target Launch Date for Space Station Mission

September 21, 2012

NASA and SpaceX have announced October 7, 2012 as the target launch date for SpaceX's first resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft is scheduled for 8:34 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral, Florida. October 8 is the backup date.

The launch represents the first of 12 SpaceX flights to the ISS under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract, and follows a successful demonstration mission in May when SpaceX became the first private company ever to attach to the ISS and return safely to Earth.

The SpaceX CRS-1 mission also represents restoration of American capability to deliver and return cargo to the ISS -- a feat not achievable since the retirement of the space shuttle. SpaceX is also contracted to develop Dragon to send crew to the space station. SpaceX's first manned flight is expected to take place in 2015.

On this mission, Dragon will be filled with supplies, which include materials to support 166 experiments in plant cell biology, human biotechnology, and materials technology. One experiment will examine the effects of microgravity on the opportunistic yeast Candida albicans, which is present on all humans. Another will evaluate how microgravity affects the growth of cell walls in a plant called Arabidopsis.

Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA and Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will use a robotic arm to grapple Dragon following its rendezvous with the station, expected on October 10. They will attach Dragon to the Earth-facing port of the station's Harmony module for a few weeks while crew members unload cargo and load experiment samples for return to Earth.

Dragon is scheduled to return in late October for a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern California. Dragon will fly back carrying scientific materials and space station hardware.

SPACEX COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL WET DRESS REHEARSAL

September 6, 2012

On August 31, 2012, SpaceX completed a successful wet dress rehearsal, a launch readiness test which simulates the actual countdown
of the Falcon 9 rocket. The rehearsal was in preparation for its first official cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station,
which is currently targeted for October.

On the morning of August 31 at Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Falcon 9 rolls from SpaceX's main hangar
out to the launch pad aboard a mobile transporter erector. Photo: SpaceX

Falcon 9 gets ready to go vertical on the launch pad. This wet dress rehearsal verifies all of the ground and launch systems
for Falcon 9, so the Dragon spacecraft can remain in the hangar, undergoing its own series of tests before flight. Photo: SpaceX

Once Falcon 9 is vertical, all personnel depart from the launch site and both stages are filled
with RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen, as they would be for flight. Photo: SpaceX

After completing the sequence, SpaceX unloads the propellants and returns the vehicle to a pre-launch state.

In the coming weeks, SpaceX engineers will review the data and prepare for a full static test firing, where the Falcon 9's nine first stage engines ignite for a few seconds, with the vehicle held securely to the pad. That will mark the final major test before actual flight.

SPACEX READIES FOR SECOND FLIGHT TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

August 23, 2012

On Thursday, August 23, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden visited SpaceX's main hangar at Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral, FL to announce that SpaceX has officially entered NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden addresses the media at SpaceX's main hangar in Cape Canaveral, FL. (Photo Credit: NASA)

Under this program, SpaceX is contracted for 12 cargo resupply flights to the International Space Station. The company is currently
preparing its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft for the first of these official cargo resupply flights, and is targeting an October launch from Cape Canaveral.

SpaceX's move to official cargo resupply missions comes after its successful completion of all milestones under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX made history this May when it became the first commercial company to deliver cargo to the space station, a demonstration mission that was part of its COTS milestones.

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft moves in for attachment to the International Space Station during historic mission. (Photo Credit: NASA)

SpaceX Wins First Science Mission from NASA: JASON-3

July 30, 2012

On July 16, 2012, SpaceX received its first science mission from NASA Launch Services (NLS), to launch the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Jason-3 spacecraft.

NASA contracts launch services for science missions, which include launching the agency’s planetary, Earth-observing, exploration and scientific satellites, as well as satellites for other government agencies such as NOAA, into orbit.

The Jason-3 spacecraft, the third in a series that follows the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, will precisely measure sea surface height and provide data used around the world for weather, climate and ocean forecasts.

Artist’s rendering of the Jason-3 spacecraft. Credit: NASA

This is SpaceX’s third category of NASA award, with the company also holding awards to carry cargo to the space station and to start to prepare the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts.

Additionally, SpaceX has continued to secure satellite contracts, with nearly 60 percent of upcoming missions planned for commercial customers. These include AsiaSat, Asia Broadcast Satellite, SatMex and Intelsat, announced earlier this year.

SpaceX expects to launch Jason-3 aboard its Falcon 9 rocket in late 2014, from SpaceX’s launch and landing site at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Mission Highlights Video | SpaceX's Dragon Makes History

July 17, 2012

On May 25, 2012, SpaceX made history when the Dragon spacecraft became the first privately developed vehicle in history to successfully attach to the International Space Station. Previously only four governments -- the United States, Russia, Japan and the European Space Agency -- had achieved this feat. The video below features key highlights from the mission including:

May 22: SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launched the Dragon spacecraft into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
May 23: Dragon orbited Earth as it traveled toward the International Space Station.
May 24: Dragon's sensors and flight systems were subjected to a series of tests to determine if the vehicle was ready to attach to the space station.
May 25: NASA gave Dragon the GO to attempt berthing with the station. Dragon approached. It was successfully captured by the station's robotic arm.
May 26: US astronaut Don Pettit opened Dragon's hatch and the astronauts entered.
May 31: After six days at the International Space Station, Dragon departed for its return to Earth, carrying a load of cargo for NASA. SpaceX completed its historic mission when Dragon splashed down safely in the Pacific.

Mission Summary

June 1, 2012

On May 31 2012, SpaceX successfully completed the historic mission that made Dragon the first commercial spacecraft to visit the International Space Station. Previously only four governments — the United States, Russia, Japan and the European Space Agency — had achieved this challenging technical feat.

Below is a brief summary in pictures of the historic mission from liftoff to splashdown:

Liftoff of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle carrying Dragon C2 spacecraft, from the SpaceX launch pad at Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station, Florida, May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

Excited space fans watch the early morning liftoff of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle from a viewing area outside
the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, May 22, 2012. At liftoff the Falcon 9’s US-made engines generate
nearly 1 million pounds of thrust. Photo: Sandon Simmons/SpaceX

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as it climbs towards space. At left, view looking down the vehicle towards the engines; at right, view from long range tracking camera on the ground. May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX / NASA

After first stage shutdown, the second stage engine ignites approximately 90 kilometers or 56 miles above the Earth.
At left, view looking down the vehicle towards the engines; at right, view from long range tracking camera on the ground. May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

The second stage engine of the Falcon 9 glows red-hot as it powers the Dragon spacecraft towards orbit.
May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

View from inside the first stage of the Falcon 9 looking forward at the Merlin Vacuum engine in the second stage
at the moment of stage separation. May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

View from SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft looking outward at one of two solar array panels in the process of deploying.
May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

A view from SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft looking outward at one of two solar array panels shining in the sunlight in its
fully deployed condition, just 12 minutes and 22 seconds after liftoff. May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

A view from SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft looking outward at one of two solar array panels shining in the sunlight in its
fully deployed condition, 12 minutes and 15 seconds after liftoff. May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

With the curve of Earth to the left, a view from SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft looking outward at one of two solar array
panels in its fully deployed condition, 13 minutes and 55 seconds after liftoff. May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

View from the Dragon spacecraft’s sensor bay as the door opens to the darkness of space. The door also supports the
grapple fixture (Y-shaped structure upper center), which is where the robotic arm aboard the International Space Station
grabs on to Dragon for berthing to the station. May 22, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

View of the International Space Station taken by the Dragon spacecraft’s thermal camera, located in the vehicle’s sensor
bay on the side of the spacecraft. May 25, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX Mission Control Center in Hawthorne (Los Angeles), California monitoring Dragon as astronauts aboard the
International Space Station capture the Dragon spacecraft using the station's robotic arm.
May 25, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

View from the International Space Station of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as the station’s robotic arm moves Dragon
into place for attachment to the station. May 25, 2012. Photo: NASA

View from inside the International Space Station as US astronaut Don Pettit opens the Dragon spacecraft’s hatch and prepares to
enter, making Dragon the first commercial space vehicle to visit the international orbiting laboratory. May 26, 2012. Photo: NASA

View from inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft looking, at top, into the international orbiting laboratory. May 26, 2012. Photo: NASA

US astronauts Don Pettit and Joe Acaba collect air samples from inside Dragon spacecraft. As with all visiting cargo vehicles,
the astronauts wear breathing and eye protection to guard against any stray material that may be present at first.
May 26, 2012. Photo: NASA

After six days at the International Space Station, the Dragon spacecraft departs for its return to Earth, carrying a load of cargo
for NASA. SpaceX designed the Dragon spacecraft to one day transport crewmembers to and from space, and it carries a high
tech, high performance heat shield to protect it during the return through the atmosphere. All other cargo resupply vehicles
burn up during reentry. May 31, 2012. Photo: NASA

View of the Dragon spacecraft parachutes from the NASA P3 aircraft circling the recovery zone in the Pacific ocean,
about 450 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. May 31, 2012. Photo: NASA

View of the Dragon spacecraft floating in the Pacific ocean from the NASA P3 aircraft circling the recovery zone,
about 450 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. May 31, 2012. Photo: NASA

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft floats in the Pacific ocean at the completion of its successful nine-day mission where it became
the first privately developed vehicle to visit the International Space Station, as well as the first cargo resupply vehicle ever
to return to Earth from the orbiting laboratory. Viewed from the SpaceX recovery vessel as it approaches the spacecraft
in the recovery zone, about 450 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. May 31, 2012.
Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft on the barge after being retrieved from the Pacific Ocean after splashdown, May 31, 2012. Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX's Dragon Spacecraft Safely Completes Historic Mission to the Space Station

May 31, 2012

SpaceX’s Dragon Spacecraft Safely Completes Historic Mission to the Space Station

This morning, at approximately 8:42 AM Pacific/11:42 AM Eastern, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) completed its historic mission when the Dragon spacecraft splashed down safely in the Pacific. The vehicle will now be recovered by boats and start the trip back to land.

Last week, SpaceX made history when its Dragon spacecraft became the first commercial vehicle in history to successfully attach to the International Space Station. Previously only four governments – the United States, Russia, Japan and the European Space Agency – had achieved this challenging technical feat. Dragon departed the space station this morning.

THE DRAGON HAS LANDED!

May 31, 2012

SpaceX’s Dragon Spacecraft Safely Completes Historic Mission to the Space Station

At 11:00 AM Pacific/2:00 PM Eastern, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk will join NASA Space Station Program Manager Mike Suffredini and NASA COTS Program Manager Alan Lindenmoyer for a press conference to discuss today’s exciting events.

Reporters wishing to participate in the event can call in to NASA’s Johnson Space Center Newsroom at 281-483-5111. For NASA TV downlink information or to watch it live visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Broadcast quality videos, including footage from the recovery ship will be posted to vimeo.com/spacexlaunch and high-resolution photos will be posted to spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com as soon as they are available.

Update

May 31, 2012

Dragon has departed the space station and is GO for reentry!

Check out Dragon’s live deorbit and splashdown coverage on NASA TV at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. Splashdown is expected to occur today at approximately 8:44AM PT (time subject to change).

Update

May 28, 2012

Astronauts Open Dragon's Hatch

Images of astronauts aboard the space station early Saturday morning opening Dragon’s hatch and entering the spacecraft for the first time

Astronauts open Dragon’s hatch from inside the space station

Astronaut Don Petit indicates that Dragon has a ‘new car smell’

First look at astronauts inside Dragon on the space station!!!

SpaceX Makes History

May 25, 2012

Dragon Becomes First Commercial Spacecraft to Attach to the Space Station

Following today's successful capture and berthing activities, astronauts aboard the International Space Station will open Dragon's hatch to begin unloading supplies. Live coverage of the hatch opening, including some of the first video from inside Dragon, will begin Saturday at approximately 2:30 AM PT/ 5:30 AM ET on www.spacex.com. Coverage is also available on http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. Times are subject to change so please check the website for updates.

SpaceX Makes History

May 25, 2012

Dragon Becomes First Commercial Spacecraft to Attach to the Space Station

Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) made history when its Dragon spacecraft became the first commercial vehicle in history to successfully attach to the International Space Station. Previously only four governments – the United States, Russia, Japan and the European Space Agency – had achieved this challenging technical feat.

The vehicle was grappled by station’s robotic arm at 9:56 a.m. Eastern. It was pulled in Dragon’s passive common berthing mechanism successfully attached to the orbiting laboratory at 12:02 PM Eastern.

Broadcast quality videos, including video inside of the SpaceX factory, may be downloaded at vimeo.com/spacexlaunch and high-resolution photos are posted at spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com.

SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk will join NASA Space Station Program Manager Mike Suffredini, NASA COTS Program Manager Alan Lindenmoyer and NASA Flight Director Holly Ridings for a press conference to discuss the remarkable achievement at 1:00 PM Eastern.

When asked for his initial thoughts on Dragon’s capture and move into the history books, Elon Musk stated, “just awesome.”

This is SpaceX's second demonstration flight under a 2006 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement with NASA to develop the capability to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station. Demonstration launches are conducted to determine potential issues so that they might be addressed; by their very nature, they carry a significant risk. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again.

Mission Highlights:

May 22/Launch Day: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched the Dragon spacecraft into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
May 23: Dragon orbited Earth as it traveled toward the International Space Station.
May 24: Dragon’s sensors and flight systems were subjected to a series of complicated tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the space station; these tests included maneuvers and systems checks in which the vehicle came within 1.5 miles of the station.
May 25: NASA gave Dragon the GO to attempt berthing with the station. Dragon approached. It was captured by station’s robotic arm and attached to the station.

Coming up Next:

May 25 - 31: Astronauts open Dragon’s hatch, unload supplies and fill Dragon with return cargo.
May 31: Dragon is detached from the station and returns to Earth, landing in the Pacific, hundreds of miles west of Southern California.

SpaceX Makes History

May 25, 2012

CAPTURE COMPLETE!!! The space station's robotic arm has grappled SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft!

Webcast | Dragon's Visit to the Space Station

May 25, 2012

Dragon is GO for capture- Watch live coverage now at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Webcast | Dragon's Visit to the Space Station

May 25, 2012

Dragon has backed away from the International Space Station and is holding at 70 meters. Controllers are examining Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data before proceeding. Watch live coverage now at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Webcast | Dragon's Visit to the Space Station

May 25, 2012

Webcast start time now targeting 5:45 AM PT / 8:45 AM ET. Times are subject to change so please check back for updates.

Webcast | Dragon's Visit to the Space Station

May 24, 2012

SpaceX is planning to webcast Dragon’s historic attempt to visit the space station live tomorrow morning starting at 4:30 AM PT / 7:30 AM ET. Times may change so keep watching for updates.

Astronauts aboard the space station watching the Falcon 9/Dragon launch! Credit: ESA/NASA

SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft Completes Key Tests In Quest to Visit Space Station

May 24, 2012

Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Dragon spacecraft completed key on-orbit tests as part of a historic attempt to be the first commercial company in history to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.

In the days since SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the vehicle has steadily completed one task after another as it prepares to berth with the International Space Station. Only minutes after the spacecraft separated from the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage, its solar arrays successfully deployed, providing power to the spacecraft. The door that had been covering sensors needed for proximity operations opened successfully.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Dragon traveled in orbit, firing its thrusters to catch up to the space station. During that time, the vehicle hit a series of milestones. Dragon showed its Absolute Global Positioning System (GPS) is in good working order. The vehicle demonstrated both a pulsed and a full abort. It also demonstrated free drift, floating freely in orbit as it will when grappled by the space station’s robotic arm. And its proximity operations sensors and SpaceX’s COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) are up and running.

View of the Dragon spacecraft as taken by a camera on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

Image of the International Space Station taken by the Dragon spacecraft’s thermal imager. Credit: SpaceX

Early this morning, Dragon’s thrusters fired, bringing the vehicle 2.4 kilometers below the International Space Station. The vehicle completed two key tests at that distance. Dragon demonstrated its Relative GPS and established a communications link with the International Space Station using CUCU. Astronauts commanded on Dragon’s strobe light to confirm the link worked.

With these tests complete, Dragon has started the trip flying around the space station, returning the spacecraft to its original
approach location.

Dragon has been performing well, but the most difficult aspects of the mission are still ahead.

FRIDAY MORNING - Final Approach, Dragon Grapple

Around 2:00 AM Pacific/5:00 AM Eastern NASA will decide if Dragon is GO to move into the approach ellipsoid 1.4 kilometers around the space station. If Dragon is GO, after approximately one hour Dragon will move to a location 250 meters directly below the station. Dragon will then perform a series of maneuvers to show systems are operating as expected. If NASA is satisfied with the results of these many tests, Dragon will be allowed to perform the final approach to the space station.

Sometime around 6:00 AM Pacific/9:00 AM Eastern, astronauts on the space station will grapple Dragon with the space station’s robotic arm and the spacecraft will attach to the station.

SATURDAY MORNING - Hatch Opening

If all goes well, at approximately 2:00 AM Pacific/5:00 AM Eastern, the crew will start procedures to open Dragon’s hatch. It will take around 2 hours to complete all operations leading to the hatch opening. Once the hatch is opened, astronauts will enter Dragon for the first time
in space.

All dates and times are approximate and could easily change.

This is SpaceX’s second demonstration flight under a 2006 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement with NASA to develop the capability to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station. Demonstration launches are conducted to determine potential issues so that they might be addressed; by their very nature, they carry a significant risk. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again.

Successful Launch Kicks off SpaceX's Historic Mission

May 22, 2012

Hawthorne, CA – Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft to orbit in an exciting start to the mission that will make SpaceX the first commercial company in history to attempt to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station — something only a handful of governments have ever accomplished.

At 3:44 a.m. Eastern, the Falcon 9 carrying Dragon launched from SpaceX’s launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Now Dragon heads toward the International Space Station. On that journey it will be subjected to a series of tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the station.

Broadcast quality videos, including video inside of the SpaceX factory, may be downloaded at vimeo.com/spacexlaunch and high-resolution photos are posted at spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com.

At a press conference held after the launch, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk began, “I would like to start off by saying what a tremendous honor it has been to work with NASA. And to acknowledge the fact that we could not have started SpaceX, nor could we have reached this point without the help of NASA… It’s really been an honor to work with such great people.”

The vehicle’s first stage performed nominally before separating from the second stage. The second stage successfully delivered the Dragon spacecraft into its intended orbit. This marks the third consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch and the fifth straight launch success for SpaceX.

“We obviously have to go through a number of steps to berth with the Space Station, but everything is looking really good and I think I would count today as a success no matter what happens with the rest of the mission,” Musk said.

He continued by expressing his gratitude to the more than 1,800 SpaceX employees. “People have really given it their all.” Describing the scene inside of SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, he said, “We had most of the company gathered around SpaceX Mission Control. They are seeing the fruits of their labor and wondering if it is going to work. There is so much hope riding on that rocket. When it worked, and Dragon worked, and the solar arrays deployed, people saw their handiwork in space operating as it should. There was tremendous elation. For us it is like winning the Super Bowl.”

Explaining the significance of the day, Musk stated, “This mission heralds the dawn of a new era of space exploration, one in which there is a significant commercial space element. It is like the advent of the Internet in the mid-1990s when commercial companies entered what was originally a government endeavor. That move dramatically accelerated the pace of advancement and made the Internet accessible to the mass market. I think we’re at a similar inflection point for space. I hope and I believe that this mission will be historic in marking that turning point towards a rapid advancement in space transportation technology.”

Mission Highlights

During the mission, Dragon must perform a series of complex tasks, each presenting significant technical challenges.

May 22/Launch Day: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches a Dragon spacecraft into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
May 23: Dragon orbits Earth as it travels toward the International Space Station.
May 24: Dragon’s sensors and flight systems are subjected to a series of complicated tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the space station; these tests include maneuvers and systems checks in which the vehicle comes within 1.5 miles of the station.
May 25: NASA decides if Dragon is allowed to attempt berthing with the station. If so, Dragon approaches. It is captured by station’s robotic arm and attached to the station, a feat that requires extreme precision.
May 25 - 31: Astronauts open Dragon’s hatch, unload supplies and fill Dragon with return cargo.
May 31: After approximately two weeks, Dragon is detached from the station and returns to Earth, landing in the Pacific, hundreds of miles west of Southern California.

All dates subject to change.

SpaceX Launch!

May 22, 2012

Falcon 9/Dragon launched successfully at 3:44 AM eastern. This marks the third consecutive Falcon 9 launch success and the fifth straight launch success for SpaceX. The Dragon spacecraft separated and the solar arrays have deployed. Watch the press conference at 5:30 AM Eastern at www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Update on SpaceX COTS 2 Test Launch

May 19, 2012

Today’s launch was aborted when the flight computer detected slightly high pressure in the engine 5 combustion chamber. We have discovered root cause and repairs are underway.

During rigorous inspections of the engine, SpaceX engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine. We are now in the process of replacing the failed valve. Those repairs should be complete tonight. We will continue to review data on Sunday.

If things look good, we will be ready to attempt to launch on Tuesday, May 22nd at 3:44 AM Eastern.

SpaceX Launch -- Countdown and Reschedule

May 19, 2012

Today, SpaceX aborted the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. Due to the instantaneous launch window, we are not able to recycle and re-attempt the launch today.

Early data indicates that the flight computer detected slightly high combustion chamber pressure on engine 5, which prompted the computer to abort the countdown. We are reviewing the data.

NASA and SpaceX will hold a briefing at 6:30 AM. Watch it live at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

COTS 2 Demonstration Launch

May 17, 2012

On Saturday, May 19th, SpaceX will become the first commercial company in history to attempt to visit the International Space Station. Watch the action live on SpaceX.com beginning at 1:15 AM Pacific / 4:15 AM Eastern / 08:15 UTC.

For more information on the upcoming demonstration mission, check out the info in our press kit.

For those on Twitter, be sure to follow @elonmusk this week. He will be tweeting live from mission control during launch.

Update on SpaceX COTS 2/3 Launch

May 7, 2012

SpaceX and NASA are nearing completion of the software assurance process, and SpaceX is submitting a request to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for a May 19th launch target with a backup on May 22nd. Thus far, no issues have been uncovered during this process, but with a mission of this complexity we want to be extremely diligent.

Stay tuned for updated information on launch activities in the coming days.

Image of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket taken during the April 30th successful static fire test at our
launch site in Cape Canaveral.

Static Fire Test Today - Complete

April 30, 2012

Today, Monday, April 30, SpaceX successfully completed a 2 second static fire the Falcon 9 rocket’s nine powerful Merlin engines in preparation for the company’s upcoming launch. All looks good, engineers are currently reviewing data.

Static Fire Test Today

April 30, 2012

Today, Monday, April 30, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will webcast a static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket’s nine powerful Merlin engines in preparation for the company’s upcoming launch. The webcast will be accessible by clicking the home page banner on spacex.com beginning at 11:30 AM PT /2:30 PM ET, with the actual static fire targeted for 12:00 PM PT /3:00 PM ET.

SpaceX to Webcast Static Fire for Upcoming Mission on Monday

April 27, 2012

Mission Would Make SpaceX the First Commercial Company to Attempt to Send a Spacecraft to the International Space Station

On Monday, April 30, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will webcast a static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket’s nine powerful Merlin engines in preparation for the company’s upcoming launch. The webcast, available at spacex.com, is set to begin at 2:30 PM ET/ 11:30 AM PT, with the actual static fire targeted for 3:00 PM ET/ 12:00 PM PT.

The 9 engine test will take place at the company’s Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as part of a full launch dress rehearsal leading up to the second Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) launch. During the rehearsal, SpaceX engineers will run through all countdown processes as though it were launch day. The exercise will end with all nine engines firing at full power for two seconds.

After the test, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the upcoming launch, currently targeted for May 7. SpaceX plans to launch its Dragon spacecraft into low-Earth orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket. During the mission, Dragon’s sensors and flight systems will be subject to a series of tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the space station. If NASA decides Dragon is ready, the vehicle will attach to the station and astronauts will open Dragon’s hatch and unload the cargo onboard.

This will be the first attempt by a commercial company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, a feat previously performed by only a few governments. Success is not guaranteed. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again. It is also the second demonstration flight under NASA’s program to develop commercial supply services to the International Space Station. The first SpaceX COTS flight, in December 2010, made SpaceX the first commercial company in history to send a spacecraft to orbit and return it safely to Earth. Once SpaceX demonstrates the ability to carry cargo to the space station, it will begin to fulfill its Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract for NASA for at least 12 missions to carry cargo to and from the space station. The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft were designed to one day carry astronauts; both the COTS and CRS missions will yield valuable flight experience toward this goal.

Artist’s rendition of the Dragon spacecraft at the International Space Station.

This week the Dragon spacecraft was mated to the Falcon 9 rocket in SpaceX’s hangar in Cape Canaveral, FL. Credit: NASA

The Dragon spacecraft being rotated before it is mated to the Falcon 9 rocket in SpaceX’s hangar in Cape Canaveral, FL. Credit: NASA

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft rests on top of the Falcon 9 rocket at SpaceX’s launch site in Cape Canaveral, FL.

SpaceX engineers prepare for the launch at SpaceX’s launch control center in Cape Canaveral, FL.

COTS 2 Mission Patch.

SpaceX also plans to broadcast the entire launch live at spacex.com on launch day.

SpaceX Completes Important Commercial Crew Milestone | Enter the Dragon--Please Take Your Seats

March 16, 2012

SpaceX continues to prepare for our upcoming test flight in which we will attempt to send the Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. At the same time we continue making rapid progress in our efforts to prepare the Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts.

You may have read our update on the initial tests of the SuperDraco engines that will power the launch escape system. Recently, SpaceX completed another important milestone – the first NASA Crew Trial, one of two crew tests as part of SpaceX’s work to build a prototype Dragon crew cabin.

For this milestone SpaceX demonstrated that our new crew cabin design will work well for astronauts in both nominal and off-nominal scenarios. It also provided our engineers with the opportunity to gain valuable feedback from both NASA astronauts and industry experts.

SpaceX and NASA conducted a daylong review of the Dragon crew vehicle layout using the Dragon engineering model equipped
with seats and representations of crew systems. Photo: SpaceX

The engineering prototype includes seven seats as well as representations of crew accommodations such as lighting, environmental control and life support systems, displays, cargo racks, and other interior systems. During the daylong test, SpaceX and NASA evaluators including four NASA astronauts, participated in human factors assessments which covered entering and exiting Dragon under both normal and contingency cases, as well as reach and visibility evaluations.

Test crew included (from top left): NASA Crew Survival Engineering Team Lead Dustin Gohmert, NASA Astronaut Tony Antonelli, NASA Astronaut Lee Archambault, SpaceX Mission Operations Engineer Laura Crabtree, SpaceX Thermal Engineer Brenda Hernandez, NASA Astronaut Rex Walheim, and NASA Astronaut Tim Kopra. Photo: Roger Gilbertson / SpaceX

The seven seats mount to strong, lightweight supporting structures attached to the pressure vessel walls. Each seat can hold an adult up to 6 feet 5 inches tall, 250 lbs, and has a liner that is custom-fit for the crewmember.

With all seven crewmembers in their seats, Dragon has sufficient interior space for three additional people to stand and assist
the crew with their launch preparations.

NASA Astronaut Rex Walheim, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk and SpaceX Commercial Crew Development Manager
and former NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman standing inside the Dragon spacecraft during testing activities.

In fact, Dragon has so much interior volume, that we could place an entire three-person Russian Soyuz capsule descent module inside Dragon’s pressure vessel.

Stay tuned for more updates as we work towards making Dragon the most advanced spacecraft ever flown.

SpaceX | 10 Years in Review

March 14, 2012

Ten years ago today, SpaceX was founded with the goal of helping make the human race a multi-planetary species. We remain firmly committed to this goal and will do everything within our power to help make this happen.

Below we have collected some of our most memorable moments from the last ten years. As we look back, we would like to thank NASA, our customers, supporters, and those who believe in what we are working so hard to accomplish. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to an exciting future.

Elon Musk founds SpaceX in 2002 and opens our first manufacturing facility in El Segundo – at the center of Southern California’s
aerospace industry.

In 2006, NASA awards SpaceX a contract under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program to develop the
capability to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station as represented by the image shown here.

SpaceX’s Falcon 1 rocket becomes the 1st liquid fueled rocket developed by a private company to reach Earth orbit. This picture
shows the nozzle of Falcon 1’s upper stage engine just as it achieved orbit, nine and a half minutes after launch.

In 2008, NASA selects SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to take over the job of transporting cargo to and from
the Space Station from the retiring space shuttle. While initial flights will focus on cargo, Falcon 9 and Dragon were designed
from the beginning to transport crew; every cargo flight to the Space Station gets us one step closer to this goal.

Falcon 1 delivers its first commercial payload to Earth orbit – the RazakSAT satellite for Malaysia. In this image, you see the two
halves of the faring that covered the satellite during launch fall back to Earth after separating.

In 2010, SpaceX launches the first flight of Falcon 9, one of the most advanced rockets in the world. The first launch achieved a
nearly perfect insertion of the second stage and Dragon spacecraft qualification unit into the targeted 250 km (155 mi) circular orbit.

Also in 2010, the second flight of Falcon 9 orbits the first operational Dragon spacecraft under the NASA COTS program, and
SpaceX becomes the first private company to recover a spacecraft from Earth orbit—a feat previously only accomplished by a few nations.

The last 10 years have been an incredible experience and the next 10 promise to be just as exciting. Stay tuned for more updates on our first upcoming mission to Station, Falcon Heavy and our progress in preparing Dragon to transport crew.

SpaceX Test Fires Advanced New Engine

February 1, 2012

Hawthorne, CA – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has successfully test fired SuperDraco, a powerful new engine that will play a critical role in the company’s efforts to change the future of human spaceflight.

“SuperDraco engines represent the best of cutting edge technology,” said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Technology Officer. “These engines will power a revolutionary launch escape system that will make Dragon the safest spacecraft in history and enable it to land propulsively on Earth or another planet with pinpoint accuracy.”

The SuperDraco is an advanced version of the Draco engines currently used by SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to maneuver on orbit and during reentry. As part of SpaceX’s state-of-the-art launch escape system, eight SuperDraco engines built into the side walls of the Dragon spacecraft will produce up to 120,000 pounds of axial thrust to carry astronauts to safety should an emergency occur during launch.

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program awarded SpaceX $75 million in April of last year to begin work developing the escape system in order to prepare the Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts. Less than nine months later, SpaceX engineers have designed, built and tested the engine.

In a series of recent tests conducted at the company’s Rocket Development Facility in McGregor, Texas, the SuperDraco sustained full duration, full thrust firing as well as a series of deep throttling demonstrations.

SpaceX’s launch escape system has many advantages over past systems. It is inherently safer because it is not jettisoned like all other
escape systems. This distinction provides astronauts with the unprecedented ability to escape from danger at any point during the launch,
not just in the first few minutes. The eight SuperDracos provide redundancy, so that even if one engine fails an escape can still be carried
out successfully.

SuperDracos can also be restarted multiple times if necessary and the engines will have the ability to deep throttle, providing astronauts with precise control and enormous power. In addition, as a part of a recoverable Dragon spacecraft, the engines can be used repeatedly, helping to advance SpaceX’s long-term goal of making spacecraft more like airplanes, which can be flown again and again with minimal maintenance between flights.

SuperDraco engines will provide the Dragon spacecraft with the capability to perform on target propulsive landings
anywhere in the solar system. Credit: SpaceX

SuperDraco engines will power a revolutionary launch escape system that will make SpaceX’s Dragon the safest spacecraft
in the world. Eight SuperDraco engines built into the side walls of the Dragon spacecraft will produce up to 120,000 pounds
of axial thrust to carry astronauts to safety should an emergency occur during launch. Credit: SpaceX

2012 | Year of the Dragon

January 23, 2012

Today marks the start of the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar, and this year, SpaceX's Dragon will become the first privately developed spacecraft to visit the International Space Station.

Space travel is one of the most difficult of all human endeavors, and success is never a guarantee. This flight introduces a series of new challenges and new magnitudes of complexity; if even the smallest thing goes wrong, we will be forced to abort the mission.

What is guaranteed, however, is our commitment. There will be challenges along the way, but SpaceX will again make history and become the first private company to send a spacecraft to the Space Station. We take this responsibility very seriously and will not stop until we succeed.

Dragon is a spacecraft unlike any other. Not only is it the first privately developed spacecraft to successfully return from Earth orbit, but it is also the only reusable spacecraft in operation today. In the coming days, we'll take a closer look at some of Dragon's advanced technologies in celebration of the Year of the Dragon and the opening of a new era in space travel.

In the meantime, checkout the interactive panorama below for a look inside Dragon in its cargo configuration, as it will be on its first mission to the International Space Station:

(click image to view interactive panorama--flash required)

At the top you have the hatch that will connect with the International Space Station. To the side is the hatch as well as racks and straps to hold cargo, which in our next mission will include several hundred pounds of astronaut provisions. And on the floor, just above the heat shield, is additional storage space behind metal doors that are shown both open and closed.

Going Solar

January 7, 2012

For its first mission to the International Space Station, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will use deployable solar arrays as its primary power source for running sensors, driving heating and cooling systems, and communicating with SpaceX’s Mission Control Center and the Space Station. Dragon’s solar arrays generate up to 5,000 watts of power — enough to power over 80 standard light bulbs. The solar arrays, shielded by protective covers during launch, deploy just minutes after Dragon separates from the Falcon 9 second stage, as it heads towards its rendezvous with the Space Station.

While many commercial satellites and NASA missions such as the Hubble Space Telescope use solar arrays, Dragon will be the first American commercial transport vehicle to do so.

Artist’s rendition of Dragon spacecraft with solar panels fully deployed on orbit.

Past American spacecraft like Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle used fuel cells or battery packs. Fuel cells are limited by the amount of chemical reactants (typically oxygen and hydrogen) that the vehicle can carry. Batteries alone are limiting due to their mass and the amount of power they can carry.

Solar energy provides a key benefit — long-term power. Combining Dragon’s solar arrays with a compact and efficient battery pack provides a reliable and renewable source of power. When in the sun, Dragon’s solar arrays recharge the battery pack, and the charged batteries provide power while Dragon passes through the Earth’s shadow. With solar panels, Dragon will have the power it needs for longer trips, whether to the Space Station or future missions to Mars.

Dragon’s solar array panels being installed on Dragon’s trunk at the SpaceX hangar in Cape Canaveral, FL.

Dragon’s deployable solar arrays were developed from scratch by a small team of SpaceX engineers. To ensure they will survive the harsh environment of space, our engineers put the solar arrays through hundreds of hours of rigorous testing including thermal, vacuum, vibration, structural and electrical testing.

SpaceX engineers conducting an early solar panel test. Hundreds of flood lamps simulate the unfiltered light of the sun.
Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX conducts most of these tests in-house. The video below shows an array full deployment test using testing equipment developed
by SpaceX as part of a NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) milestone.

After testing was complete, the solar arrays headed to SpaceX’s Cape Canaveral launch site for final integration. The solar arrays and fairing covers that protect the folded arrays during launch have since been installed on the Dragon spacecraft in preparation for their first flight to the International Space Station.

Dragon with the protective fairings installed over the folded solar arrays, at the SpaceX
Cape Canaveral launch site.

Stay tuned for additional updates as we continue preparations for our first flight to the Space Station!

COTS DEMO 2/3

December 15, 2011

December 8, 2011, marked the one-year anniversary of Dragon’s first Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) demonstration flight. The flight made history, as SpaceX became the only commercial company to successfully return a spacecraft from orbit. This feat had previously been accomplished only by five nations and the European Space Agency.

We are now preparing the Dragon spacecraft for yet another historic flight -- becoming the first commercial vehicle in history to visit the International Space Station (ISS)!

NASA recently announced February 7, 2012, as our new target launch date for the upcoming mission. In addition, NASA officially confirmed that SpaceX will be allowed to complete the objectives of COTS 2 and COTS 3 in a single mission.

This means Dragon will perform all of the COTS 2 mission objectives, which include numerous operations in the vicinity of the ISS, and will then perform the COTS 3 objectives. These include approach, berthing with the ISS, astronauts opening Dragon and unloading cargo, and finally astronauts closing the spacecraft and sending it back to Earth for recovery from the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.

This mission marks a major milestone in American spaceflight. While our first missions to the ISS will be to transport cargo, both Falcon 9 and Dragon were designed to ultimately transport astronauts. Every trip we make to the ISS from this point forward gets us closer to that goal. SpaceX is incredibly excited for what the future holds and, as always, we greatly appreciate NASA’s continued support and partnership in
this process.

THE COTS 2/3 DEMONSTRATION MISSION

Just as Dragon’s first mission to orbit and back involved a level of effort equal to launching the first Falcon 9, preparing Dragon for two weeks of operation in space and for approach and berthing with the ISS poses new challenges. Meeting them requires a large amount of detailed planning and careful execution.

Each launch day will have just one narrow liftoff window -- no more than a few minutes -- in order to synchronize Dragon’s flight with the orbit of the ISS. Catching up to the ISS will take from one to three days. Once there, Dragon will begin the COTS 2 demonstrations to show proper performance and control in the vicinity of the ISS, while remaining outside the Station’s safe zone.

COTS 2 objectives include Dragon demonstrating safe operations in the vicinity of the ISS.
Actual zone of operations is greater than shown in the illustration above. Illustration: NASA / SpaceX.

During the entire time Dragon is in the vicinity of the ISS, Station astronauts will be in direct communication with Dragon and will be able to monitor the spacecraft as well as issue spacecraft commands.

After successfully completing the COTS 2 requirements, Dragon will receive approval to begin the COTS 3 activities, gradually approaching the ISS from the radial direction (toward the Earth), while under constant observation.

As part of the COTS 3 objectives Dragon approaches the ISS, so astronauts can reach it with the robotic arm.
Illustration: NASA / SpaceX.

Dragon will approach to within a few meters of the ISS, allowing astronauts to reach out and grapple Dragon with the Station’s robotic arm and then maneuver it carefully into place. The entire process will take a few hours.

The astronaut operating the robot arm aboard the ISS will move Dragon into position at the berthing port where it will be
locked in place. Illustration: NASA / SpaceX.

Once in place, Station astronauts will equalize the pressure between the ISS and Dragon, open the hatches, enter the vehicle and begin unloading Dragon’s cargo.

In the SpaceX cleanroom the crew prepares the COTS 2/3 Dragon for its visit to the ISS. View looking through the forward hatch
from the ISS side of the berthing adapter. Photo: SpaceX

After Dragon spends about a week berthed at the ISS, astronauts will reverse the process, loading Dragon with cargo for return to Earth, sealing the hatches, and un-berthing the Dragon using the robotic arm.

Dragon will then depart from the ISS and return to Earth within a day or so, and the SpaceX recovery crew will meet it at splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.

PREPARING FOR LAUNCH AT THE CAPE

As previously reported, both the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and the Dragon spacecraft that will fly in the COTS Demo 2/3 mission have been delivered to our launch complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Falcon 9’s first stage, second stage, and interstage were integrated and rolled out for two separate wet dress rehearsals in which SpaceX engineers performed the entire countdown sequence up until the moment the engines would be fired.

The completed Falcon 9 COTS Demo 2/3 vehicle in the SpaceX hangar at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo: Mike Sheehan / SpaceX.

The Dragon COTS Demo 2/3 spacecraft and trunk have also been delivered to our launch pad and are undergoing final processing for flight.

The COTS Demo 2/3 Dragon spacecraft at Cape Canaveral. Photo: SpaceX.

BUILD AND FLY YOUR OWN FALCON 9 AND DRAGON MODEL ROCKET

You can now build and fly your very own 1:88 scale model of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft.

The flight test prototype. The production model will have transparent fins
that can be removed for display. Photo: SpaceX

The Falcon 9/Dragon model kit includes a molded nose and tail, along with full color stickers for the body and nose (no painting required). The finished model stands a big 58 cm (22.8 in) tall. It has molded transparent fins for flight, which can be removed for display. Dual parachutes return the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft separately to Earth.

The model kits are in production and will be made available over Amazon.com in the coming weeks. To reserve one for yourself, visit http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GX14R8 and add the Falcon 9 and Dragon model to your personal Wish List. You will receive an email as soon as the kits reach the warehouse shelves and are ready to ship.

Thanks to all for your support and stay tuned for more updates on Dragon’s first visit to the ISS!

Dragon Spacecraft | 2011 Breakthrough Award Winner

October 6, 2011

Popular Mechanics recently announced the Dragon spacecraft as one of their 2011 Breakthrough Award Winners.
Read the full article here:

National Press Club luncheon with Elon Musk

September 29, 2011

SpaceX CEO & CTO Elon Musk discussed the future of human spaceflight at a National Press Club luncheon at 1PM EDT
on Thursday, Sept. 29th.

Click here to watch the video: http://www.c-span.org/Events/National-Press-Club-The-Future-of-Human-Spaceflight/10737424486/

Reusability is key to the dramatic cost savings that will enable advancements in human exploration of space. The Dragon spacecraft is a fully reusable and SpaceX is working toward the goal of delivering the world’s first fully reusable launch vehicle. Check out the animation below for a sneak peek at SpaceX’s exciting plans for the future.

F9/Dragon: Preparing for ISS

August 15, 2011

Over the last several months, SpaceX has been hard at work preparing for our next flight — a mission designed to demonstrate that a privately-developed space transportation system can deliver cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS). NASA has given us a Nov. 30, 2011 launch date, which should be followed nine days later by Dragon berthing at the ISS.

NASA has agreed in principle to allow SpaceX to combine all of the tests and demonstration activities that we originally proposed as two separate missions (COTS Demo 2 and COTS Demo 3) into a single mission. Furthermore, SpaceX plans to carry additional payloads aboard the Falcon 9’s second stage which will deploy after Dragon separates and is well on its way to the ISS. NASA will grant formal approval for the combined COTS missions pending resolution of any potential risks associated with these secondary payloads. Our team continues to work closely with NASA to resolve all questions and concerns.

This next mission represents a huge milestone not only for SpaceX, but also for NASA and the US space program. When the astronauts stationed on the ISS open the hatch and enter the Dragon spacecraft for the first time, it will mark the beginning of a new era in space travel.

Through continued private-public partnerships like the one that helped develop the Falcon 9 and Dragon system, commercial companies will transform the way we access space. Together, government and the private sector can simultaneously increase the reliability, safety and frequency of space travel, while greatly reducing the costs.

The update below highlights our recent progress towards the combined C2/C3 mission and missions beyond. From the 1,500 team members here at SpaceX, thank you for your continued support, and for joining us in this exciting, vital adventure.

Photo: Kyle Cothern / SpaceX

This week, we successfully completed a wet dress rehearsal (WDR) for the Falcon 9 Flight 3 launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral, Florida. The WDR is a significant test during which we load propellant into the vehicle and perform all operations just as we would on launch day right down to T-1 seconds, at which point we abort and detank the propellant.

Since our last flight, we have made significant upgrades to the launch pad to streamline the countdown. For example, we installed new liquid oxygen (LOX) pumps that reduced our previous loading time from 90 minutes to under 30. Improvements like this are getting us closer to our long term goal of Falcon 9 going from hangar to liftoff in under an hour. This is no easy task for a vehicle with about the same takeoff weight as a fully loaded Boeing 747, but if a 747 can do it reliably day after day, then Falcon 9 can too.

Photo: Roger Gilbertson / SpaceX

In a SpaceX clean room in Hawthorne (Los Angeles) California, technicians prepare the Dragon spacecraft for thermal vacuum chamber testing. The open bays will hold the parachutes. NASA has given us a launch date of Nov 30, 2011 for Falcon 9 Flight 3, which will send a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program.

Photo: SpaceX

Also in Hawthorne, we have conducted separation tests of the Dragon trunk from the Falcon 9 second stage. Release mechanisms hold the trunk (top, with solar panel covers on left and right sides) to the stage (bottom). When activated, springs on the Falcon 9 push against the Dragon trunk. The trunk separates and the test fixture’s counterbalance system raises the spacecraft up and away.

Photo: SpaceX

In the Hawthorne factory high bay, we tested the Dragon solar array rotary actuator by hanging the full array from the ceiling. The actuator (top center) turns the entire array. In flight, the solar panels will track the sun for maximum energy capture.

Upper Left: First stage tank, with domes and barrels for the second stage. Upper Right: All nine Merlin engines have been individually tested in Texas and then returned to California for integration into the thrust assembly. Lower Left: Composite interstage structure that joins the stages. Lower Right: The pressure vessel for the CRS-1 Dragon spacecraft has 10 cubic meters (350 cu ft) of interior volume. Photos: Roger Gilbertson / SpaceX

We are well into production with all parts (shown above) for the following launch, Falcon 9 Flight 4 and its Dragon CRS-1 spacecraft, which should be the first commercial cargo resupply mission under NASA Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program. Significant additional tooling and automation will be added to the factory, as we build towards the capability of producing a Falcon 9 first stage or Falcon Heavy side booster every week and an upper stage every two weeks. Depending on demand, Dragon production is planned for a rate of one every six to eight weeks.

Photos: Melissa Heilman / SpaceX

Demolition work continues at Space Launch Complex 4 East, our new launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base on the central coast of California. Recently, the crew dropped the big “hammerhead” overhanging structure from the legacy Titan IV Mobile Service Tower (sequence above). Removing the tower is a major step in upgrading the pad for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches. We are targeting late 2012 to bring Falcon Heavy to Vandenberg for vehicle to pad integration tests and 2013 for liftoff. Falcon Heavy will be the most powerful rocket in the world.

Stay tuned for more updates on the combined COTS-2 and COTS-3 mission to the ISS, slated for launch on Nov 30, 2011.

SpaceX | Commercial Crew Development

April 28, 2011

On April 18,2011, NASA awarded SpaceX $75 million to develop a revolutionary launch escape system that will enable the company’s Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts. View video of our plans for the new launch escape system and our commercial crew press kit below:

Video: SpaceX | Developing a Launch Escape System

Press Kit: SpaceX | The Next Great American Adventure

Taking the Next Step | Commercial Crew Development Round 2

January 17th, 2011

December 8th 2010 marked an incredible accomplishment for SpaceX. As most of you know, we became the first commercial company to successfully recover a spacecraft from Earth orbit. This is a feat previously only accomplished by six other nations/government agencies, and was made possible only through our ongoing partnership with NASA.

While the flight was a significant technical achievement for SpaceX as a company, it was probably most significant for the American taxpayer. The United States has an urgent, critical need for commercial human spaceflight. After the Space Shuttle retires next year, NASA will be totally dependent on the Russian Soyuz to carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station for a price of over $50 million per seat.

The December 8 COTS Demo 1 flight demonstrated SpaceX is prepared to meet this need—and at less than half the cost.

We believe the now flight-proven Falcon 9 and Dragon architecture is the safest path to crew transportation capability. Both vehicles were designed from the beginning to transport astronauts. The cargo version of the Dragon spacecraft will be capable of carrying crew with only three key modifications: a launch abort system, environmental controls and seats.

In addition to last month’s successful demonstration, SpaceX recently took another critical next step towards the development of an American alternative to the Russian Soyuz. On December 13th, we submitted our proposal to NASA’s Commercial Crew Development Program (CCDev2) to begin work on preparing Dragon to carry astronauts. The primary focus of our CCDev2 proposal is the launch abort system. Using our experience with NASA’s COTS office as a guide, we have proposed implementing the crew-related elements of Dragon’s design with specific hardware milestones, which will provide NASA with regular, demonstrated progress including:

initial design of abort engine and crew accommodations;
static fire testing of the launch abort system engines; and
prototype evaluations by NASA crew for seats, control panels and cabin

SpaceX has proposed an integrated launch abort system design, which has several advantages over the tractor tower approaches
used by all prior vehicles:

Provides escape capability all the way to orbit versus a tractor system, which is so heavy it must be dumped about four minutes after liftoff.
Improves crew safety, as it does not require a separation event, whereas any non-integral system (tractor or pusher), must be dumped on every mission for the astronauts to survive.
Reduces cost since the escape system returns with the spacecraft.
Enables superior landing capabilities since the escape engines can potentially be used for a precise land landing of Dragon under rocket power. (An emergency chute will always be retained as a backup system for maximum safety.)

Click here to view the video.

While the maximum reliability is designed into our vehicles, there is no substitute for recent, relevant flight experience when it comes to demonstrating flight safety. The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to fly at least 11 more times and the Falcon 9 launch vehicle is scheduled to fly 17 times before the first Dragon crew flight. Given the extensive manifest of Falcon 9 and Dragon, the SpaceX system will mature before most other systems will be developed.

The inaugural flight of the Dragon spacecraft confirmed what we have always believed—the responsiveness and ingenuity of the private sector, combined with the guidance, support and insight of the US government, can deliver an American spaceflight program that is achievable, sustainable and affordable. The SpaceX team is excited about the new opportunities and challenges the New Year will bring. Thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to helping build America’s future space program.

Illustration of Dragon spacecraft in orbit.

Photo of actual Dragon spacecraft after its first successful orbital flight.

SpaceX's Dragon Spacecraft Successfully Re-Enters from orbit

December 15, 2010

On December 8, SpaceX became the first commercial company in history to re-enter a spacecraft from Earth orbit. SpaceX launched its Dragon spacecraft into orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket at 10:43 AM EST from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft orbited the Earth at speeds greater than 7,600 meters per second (17,000 miles per hour), reentered the Earth’s atmosphere, and landed just after 2:00 PM EST less than one mile from the center of the targeted landing zone in the Pacific Ocean.

The Dragon spacecraft landed in the Pacific Ocean 3 hours, 19 minutes and 52 seconds after liftoff—less than a minute
after SpaceX had predicted and less than one mile from the center of the landing target.

Click here to view the mission highlights video.

This marks the first time a commercial company has successfully recovered a spacecraft reentering from Earth orbit. It is a feat previously performed by only six nations or government agencies: the United States, Russia, China, Japan, India, and the European Space Agency.

As the very first flight under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, COTS Demo 1 followed a nominal flight profile that included a roughly 9.5-minute ascent, two Earth-orbits, reentry and splashdown. Falcon 9 delivered Dragon to orbit with an inclination of 34.53 degrees—a near bull’s-eye insertion.

Image above illustrates COTS Demo 1 mission orbital path. The yellow triangle over the Atlantic ocean marks Dragon’s initial
separation from Falcon 9, and the yellow square off the Western coast of the United States marks the location where Dragon landed.

Dragon’s first-ever on-orbit performance was 100% successful in meeting test objectives including maintaining attitude, thermal control, and communication activities. While in orbit, eight free-flying payloads were successfully deployed, including a U.S. Army nanosatellite—the first Army-built satellite to fly in 50 years.

The Falcon 9 launch vehicle carrying the Dragon spacecraft, climbing from the launch pad.

Liftoff marked the second flight of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which performed nominally during ascent. Nine Merlin engines, which generate one million pounds of thrust in vacuum, powered the first phase of flight. The rocket reached maximum dynamic pressure (the point at which aerodynamic stress on a spacecraft in atmospheric flight is maximized, also known as Max Q) approximately 1.5 minutes after launch. The first stage separation occurred a little over three minutes into flight. The single Merlin Vacuum engine of Falcon 9’s second stage then ignited to continue carrying the vehicle towards its targeted orbit.

After stage separation, flames are barely visible around nozzle as the second stage
engine ignites and the first stage falls back to the Earth below.

After stage separation, the nose cap at the front of the Dragon spacecraft safely jettisoned. The second stage fired for another four and a half minutes, until it achieved orbital velocity, and then the Dragon spacecraft separated from the second stage to begin its independent flight.

High contrast view of the Dragon spacecraft (circle at center) viewed from the top of the second stage as it departs over the curved
horizon of the Earth. The rectangles indicate locations of three of the nano satellite deploying P-PODs carried on this mission.

After separation of the Dragon spacecraft, the second stage Merlin engine restarted, carrying the second stage to an altitude of 11,000 km (6,800 mi). While restart of the second stage engine was not a requirement for this mission (or any future missions to the ISS), it is important for future Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) missions where customer payloads need to be positioned at a high altitude.

Shortly after separating from the second stage, the expected loss of signal occurred as the Dragon spacecraft passed over the horizon as viewed from the launch site. We reacquired Dragon’s video signal as expected as it passed over Hawaii, delivering the first ever video sent from Dragon on orbit.

View from the side window of the Dragon spacecraft as it climbs into orbit.

Click here to view the video.

Draco thrusters, each capable of producing about 90 pounds of thrust, began the six minute deorbit burn at T+2:32. For this particular mission, we could have lost two entire quads and still returned to Earth with only 8 or 10 engines working, but all thrusters performed nominally during the COTS Demo1 flight.

Illustration showing Draco thrusters firing as the Dragon spacecraft travels around the Earth. Dragon is equipped
with numerous redundant systems to ensure mission success even if primary systems fail.

Dragon’s PICA-X heat shield protected the spacecraft during reentry from temperatures reaching more than 3,000 degrees F. SpaceX worked closely with NASA to develop PICA-X, a SpaceX variant of NASA’s Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) heat shield.

SpaceX chose PICA for its proven ability. In January 2006, NASA’s Stardust sample capsule returned using a PICA heat shield and set the record for the fastest reentry speed of a spacecraft into Earth's atmosphere — experiencing speeds of 28,900 miles per hour.

NASA made its expertise and specialized facilities available to SpaceX as the company designed, developed and qualified the 3.6 meter PICA-X shield it in less than 4 years at a fraction of the cost NASA had budgeted for the effort. The result is the most advanced heat shield ever to fly. It can potentially be used hundreds of times for Earth orbit reentry with only minor degradation each time — as proven on this flight — and can even withstand the much higher heat of a moon or Mars velocity reentry.

Artist’s rendition of Dragon, thermally protected by SpaceX’s PICA-X advanced heat shield, reentering Earth’s atmosphere.

At about 10,000 feet, Dragon’s three main parachutes, each 116 feet in diameter, deployed to slow the spacecraft's decent to approximately 16-18 ft/sec, ensuring a comfortable return ride that will be required for manned flights. Oversized parachutes are critical in ensuring a safe landing for crew members. Even if Dragon were to lose one of its main parachutes, the two remaining chutes would still ensure a
safe landing.

Dragon’s three main parachutes fully deployed. Below float two drogue parachutes which
deployed first to slow and stabilize the spacecraft.

The SpaceX crew brought Dragon back to the barge where the crane lifted it from the water.

The Dragon spacecraft, in excellent condition after its 50,000 mile mission,
rests in its cradle for the 500 mile ride back to Los Angeles.

This was the first flight under NASA’s COTS program to develop commercial resupply services to the International Space Station. After the Space Shuttle retires, SpaceX will fly at least 12 missions to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station as part of the Commercial Resupply Services contract for NASA. The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft were designed to one day carry astronauts; both the COTS and CRS missions will yield valuable flight experience toward this goal.

With recovery of the Dragon spacecraft, SpaceX became the first company in history to successfully re-enter a spacecraft from Earth orbit. SpaceX has only come this far by building upon the incredible achievements of NASA, having NASA as an anchor tenant for launch, and receiving expert advice and mentorship throughout the development process.

SpaceX would like to extend a special thanks to the NASA COTS office for their continued support and guidance throughout this process. The COTS program has demonstrated the power of a true private/public partnership and we look forward to the exciting endeavors our team will accomplish in the future.

For more information on the COTS Demo 1 flight, Click here to view the mission press kit.

SpaceX's Dragon Spacecraft Re-Enters Successfully

December 8, 2010

Lands on Target in the Pacific Ocean, 500 miles Off of the Coast of Southern California

SpaceX/NASA to Hold Post-Mission Press Conference at 3:30 PM EST

Cape Canaveral, FL – Today, SpaceX became the first commercial company in history to re-enter a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit.

SpaceX and NASA will have a post-mission press conference at 3:30 PM EST at the press site at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Participants include:

Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and CTO (via satellite from Mission Control in Hawthorne, CA)
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President
Alan Lindenmoyer, NASA Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Manager

SpaceX launched its Dragon spacecraft into low-Earth orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket at 10:43 AM EST from Launch Complex 40 at the Air Force Station at Cape Canaveral.

The Dragon spacecraft orbited the Earth at speeds greater than 17,000 miles per hour, reentered the Earth’s atmosphere, and landed in the Pacific Ocean shortly after 2:00 PM EST.

This marks the first time a commercial company has successfully recovered a spacecraft reentering from low-Earth orbit. It is a feat performed by only six nations or government agencies: the United States, Russia, China, Japan, India, and the European Space Agency.

It is also the first flight under NASA’s COTS program to develop commercial supply services to the International Space Station. After the Space Shuttle retires, SpaceX will fly at least 12 missions to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station as part of the Commercial Resupply Services contract for NASA. The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft were designed to one day carry astronauts; both the COTS and CRS missions will yield valuable flight experience toward this goal.

View the press kit: cots1-201012.pdf

UPDATE: COTS Demo 1 Launch Activities

December 6, 2010

SpaceX engineers are analyzing two small cracks in the aft end of the 2nd stage engine nozzle extension. These cracks are in a region near the end of the nozzle extension where there is very little stress and so they would not cause a flight failure by themselves. However, further investigation is warranted to ensure that these cracks are not symptomatic of a more serious problem.

A decision on whether or not to attempt launch on Wednesday will be provided tomorrow evening.

The bell shaped Merlin Vacuum nozzle extension is made of niobium sheet alloy, measures 9 feet tall and 8 feet at the base diameter, and thins out to about twice the thickness of a soda can at the end. Although made of an exotic refractory alloy metal with a melting temperature high enough to boil steel, this component is geometrically the simplest part of the engine.

It is important to note that the niobium nozzle extension increases the efficiency of the Merlin engine in vacuum and is installed by default on all upper stage Merlin engines, but that efficiency increase is not required for this mission. The nozzle extension is most helpful when launching very heavy satellites or to maximize throw mass to distant destinations like Mars. The most likely path forward is that we will trim off the thinnest portion of the nozzle extension, which is where the cracks are located, perform a thorough systems check and resume launch preparation.

Static Fire Update

December 4, 2010

Full duration static fire! We’ll continue to review data but today’s static fire appears to be a success.

Static Fire Update

December 3, 2010

SpaceX made its first static fire attempt today and aborted at T-1.1 sec due to high engine chamber pressure. We are currently reviewing the data and will make a second attempt tomorrow.

COTS Demonstration Flight 1

Monday, October 4, 2010

Since the successful inaugural launch of Falcon 9 in June, we have been busy preparing for our next launch, which includes the first flight of an operational Dragon spacecraft.

This is also the first launch under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Under COTS, NASA is partnering with commercial companies like SpaceX to develop and demonstrate space transportation capabilities.

The upcoming demonstration mission will launch from Cape Canaveral and should follow a flight plan nearly identical to the first Falcon 9 launch, but this time the Dragon spacecraft will separate from the second stage and will demonstrate operational communications, navigation, maneuvering and reentry. Although it does not have wings like Shuttle, the Dragon spacecraft is controlled throughout reentry by the onboard Draco thrusters which enable the spacecraft to touchdown at a very precise location – ultimately within a few hundred yards of its target.

While Dragon will initially make water landings, over the long term, Dragon will be landing on land. For this first demo flight, Dragon will make multiple orbits of the Earth as we test all of its systems, and will then fire its thrusters to begin reentry, returning to Earth for a Pacific Ocean splashdown off the coast of Southern California. The entire mission should last around four hours.

As you may have heard, Congress just recently passed the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, setting a new direction for human space exploration. The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to authorize funding for a robust and viable U.S. space program. This is a critical step forward, which will allow America to continue to lead the way in space exploration.

The bill sets NASA on an exciting course to focus on exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, while recognizing the valuable role American companies are ready to undertake in ending our reliance on Russia to carry our astronauts to the International Space Station.

Investing in commercial crew transport will build on NASA’s proud record of innovation and will create competition that will force companies to improve reliability, increase safety, and reduce costs. As we move forward with our first demo flight under the COTS program, we look forward to helping jumpstart America’s space program and secure our leadership position in space.

—Elon—

Falcon 9 / Dragon Wet Dress Rehearsal

Falcon 9 Demonstration Flight 2 on the launch pad during the full wet dress rehearsal,
which includes everything up to just before engine ignition. Photo: SpaceX.

On September 15th we completed a successful wet dress rehearsal (WDR) which involved rolling the rocket out to the pad, loading it with propellants, performing a complete launch countdown sequence to just before ignition, and then unloading the propellants and returning the vehicle to a safe state. This latest wet dress rehearsal included new steps and sequences necessary to accommodate the operational Dragon spacecraft.

Prior to the successful WDR, we completed our first integration of a Falcon 9 and an operational Dragon spacecraft. We integrate Falcon 9 and Dragon horizontally in the hangar. This makes payload processing easier, and also eliminates the large expense of building and maintaining a vertical mobile service tower.

The Falcon 9 Demonstration Flight 2 vehicle undergoing final integration in the hangar at Cape Canaveral. Photo: SpaceX.

With integration complete, we transfer the Falcon 9/Dragon vehicle to our mobile transporter erector and roll it out of the hangar to the launch pad on standard railroad tracks. There, we connect the entire system to the launch pad, and rotate it to vertical.

In the coming weeks we will conduct a static test firing, which involves a full countdown leading up to the engines firing as they would for launch, but with the rocket held firmly to the pad. The following update covers some of the major progress in the past months towards this second demonstration flight.

Falcon 9 Demonstration Flight 2 Payload -- COTS "C1" Dragon Spacecraft

Designed to transport several tons of cargo or a crew of seven astronauts to and from Earth orbit, Dragon is physically smaller than Falcon 9, but represents almost the same scale of technological difficulty.

The Dragon spacecraft is mounted on the breakover fixture in the hangar at Cape Canaveral. Photo: Brian Attiyeh / SpaceX.

Creating Dragon involved solving numerous design challenges, and the results are a serious space vehicle including eighteen high-performance Draco engines, hypergolic fuel systems, complex avionics, power, software, structures, guidance navigation and control systems, radio communications systems, the largest PICA-based heat shield yet to fly, and a dual-redundant deployment system for a trio of recovery parachutes.

In the SpaceX hangar at Cape Canaveral, the Dragon spacecraft prepares for integration with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Visible at the base of the spacecraft is Dragon’s heat shield, made of PICA-X, the SpaceX manufactured variation on NASA’s Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) heat shield material. Dragon will reenter the Earth’s atmosphere at around 7 kilometers per second (15,660 miles per hour), heating the exterior up to 1850 degrees Celsius. However, just a few inches of the PICA-X material will keep the interior of the spacecraft at a comfortable temperature. Photo: Michael Rooks / SpaceX.

Preparing for Dragon Mission Operations

In our Hawthorne Mission Control Center, we have conducted numerous flight simulation tests in preparation for Dragon operations. Depending on the needs of a test, we can conduct live operations with NASA mission control, and even the ISS.

SpaceX’s Mission Control Center located at our headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Photo: SpaceX.

Astronauts Training for Dragon

In preparation for Dragon missions arriving at the ISS under NASA’s COTS and Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) programs, we have hosted more than a dozen astronauts from NASA and international partners to date, including Italy, Netherlands, and Japan.

The training sessions work in both directions; we give astronauts hands-on experience with all aspects of Dragon operations, and SpaceX team members receive valuable insights into the fine points of living and working in space, and important feedback to incorporate into our designs and operational planning.

As part of our participation in the COTS program, we outfitted the interior of the second production Dragon spacecraft with lockers, racks and restraints as will be used for transporting cargo deliveries to and from the ISS.

Even when outfitted with the full cargo storage system, Dragon has plenty of room. Visiting NASA astronauts Cady Coleman and Scott Kelly discuss spacecraft cargo operations with SpaceX engineers. Both experienced space travelers, Cady and Scott are scheduled for upcoming missions to the ISS. Photo: SpaceX.

Three experienced ISS astronauts meet in front of the propulsion clean room with SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell. From left, astronauts Don Pettit (USA), Paolo Nespoli (Italy) and Andre Kuipers (Netherlands). Photo: Roger Gilbertson, SpaceX.

Visiting astronauts Akihiko Hoshide from Japan, and NASA astronaut Sunita Williams in front of the full size Dragon model spacecraft. Both have extensive spaceflight experience, and will be stationed aboard the ISS during upcoming Dragon cargo missions. Photo: SpaceX.

We are thrilled to support the USA's continuing human spaceflight program and the full utilization of the ISS.

Continuing Production -- Falcon 9 Flight 3

Progress continues on the third Falcon 9 vehicle, as well as the next Dragon spacecraft, both of which will fly for NASA in the coming months. We have the first and second stage tanks in process, Merlin engines being completed and test fired, and the Dragon spacecraft under way.

Recently returned from acceptance test firing in Texas, two Merlin engines for Falcon 9 Flight 3 await integration into the first stage thrust structure at far left, while a Merlin destined for Flight 4 nears completion at far right. Photo: SpaceX.

The pressure vessel for the next COTS Dragon spacecraft takes shape in Hawthorne. This arrived as a shipment of flat aluminum stock. We machined the triangular isogrid pattern, curved them into conic sections, and welded them into a vessel. By performing extensive production in-house SpaceX keeps costs low, quality high, and production timing streamlined. Photo: SpaceX.

Growing SpaceX

Our SpaceX team continues to grow, and we passed the 1,100 mark — not including this past summer's crop of 67 visiting interns. Check out a recent editorial in Aviation Week magazine by Thomas H. Zurbuchen entitled “Aerospace Must Revive Its Spirit” which has some great things to say about the SpaceX team and program.

With more than 40 missions represented on our launch manifest, we have openings for a wide range of positions. We continue to hire the most sought-after and enterprising engineers and production technicians to help make access to space regular, cost-effective and reliable.

If you would like to join our efforts in California, Texas, or Florida, please visit our Careers page.

Come and See Us in Washington DC — October 23-24, 2010

SpaceX will be exhibiting at the national “USA Science and Engineering Festival” this fall. This is looking to be the largest event of its kind ever in the US, and we are planning fun opportunities for space fans of all ages.

If you will be in the DC area during the fourth weekend of October, please stop by our booth #333 on the National Mall, not far from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, and see SpaceX close up. For details, click here.

Dragon Drop Test

Friday, August 20, 2010

SpaceX recently completed its first Dragon high altitude drop test and it was 100% successful!

The purpose of the test was to validate the Dragon’s parachute deployment systems and recovery operations prior to the first flight of an operational Dragon later this year. The drop occurred on August 12, 2010 about nine miles off the coast from the scenic town of Morro Bay, CA—45 miles north of Vandenberg Air Force Base.

An Erickson S-64F Air-Crane helicopter dropped a test article of the Dragon spacecraft from a distance of 14,000 feet, directly above the center of a 6 mile diameter Pacific Ocean test zone.

Photo credit: Roger Gilbertson/SpaceX

In a carefully timed sequence of events, dual redundant drogue parachutes deployed first to stabilize and slow the spacecraft. Full deployment of the drogues then triggered the release of the main parachutes, with the drogues detaching from the spacecraft, allowing the main parachutes to deploy.

Left photo: The drogue parachutes stabilize and slow the spacecraft. Right photo: Detached drogue parachutes (top) descend after
pulling out the main parachutes, which are shown in the process of deployment. Photo Credit: Roger Gilbertson/SpaceX.

While Dragon will initially be used to transport cargo, the spacecraft was designed to transport crew. The parachute system validated during the drop test is the same system that would be used on a crew-carrying Dragon.

The three main parachutes, designed and manufactured by Airborne Systems, are particularly large—each measuring 116 feet in diameter when fully deployed. The oversized parachutes are key in ensuring a comfortable landing for crew members. After the drogues stabilize the spacecraft, the main parachutes further slow the spacecraft's descend to approximately 16-18 ft/sec, which makes for a very soft landing.

Even if Dragon were to lose one of its main parachutes, the two remaining chutes would still ensure a pretty soft landing for the crew. Under nominal conditions, astronauts would experience no more than roughly 2-3 g’s during this type of descent—less than you’d experience at an amusement park.

Fully deployed, the three main parachutes gently bring the Dragon spacecraft down for a water splashdown. Photo Credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX.

Two released drogue parachutes also visible as the Dragon spacecraft continues its descent. Photo Credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX.

While the test article landed well within the targeted zone, the landing of an operational Dragon will be even more precise. With an operational Dragon, the landing location is controlled by firing the Draco thrusters during reentry, ensuring Dragon splashes down less than a mile from the desired landing site. Even that dispersion is only due to wind drift while Dragon is under the parachutes—if winds are low, Dragon’s landing accuracy will be to within a few hundred feet.

For initial crewed flights, Dragon will be recovered by helicopter and airlifted to shore. Our long term goal, however, is to land Dragon on land. Once we have proven our ability to control reentry accurately, we intend to add deployable landing gear and leverage the thrusters in order to land on land in the future.

During this particular drop test operation, Dragon was returned by boat and lifted onto its transport carrier via a bay-side crane as shown in the photographs below.

One of three recovery boats approaches Dragon spacecraft after it has completed its descent. Photo Credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX.

Dragon spacecraft being lifted out the bay and onto its transport carrier for return
to SpaceX’s Hawthorne headquarters.
Photo Credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX.

A drop test is historically a very difficult test to complete successfully, so congratulations to the entire Dragon drop team for achieving 100% success on their first attempt. In addition, SpaceX thanks the numerous individuals who were incredibly helpful in assisting with the execution of this test—a test of this size requires a concerted effort of coordination between numerous parties and we greatly appreciate their help. In particular, SpaceX thanks the Dynegy Morro Bay Power Plant, Erickson Air-Crane, Angel City Air Aerial Photography, Associated Pacific Constructors of Morro Bay, Castagnola Tug Service, Morro Bay Harbor, Fire and Police Departments, US Coast Guard Morro Bay Station, The Federal Aviation Administration, Morro Bay Planning Division, Protech Express Towing, SloDivers, Centurion Private Security, Coast Diving Service, PCF Aviation and Woody Wordsworth at Radio Shack Morro Bay.

SpaceX Team

In a recent editorial for Aviation Week, Thomas H. Zurbuchen, a professor of space science and aerospace engineering, and associate dean of entrepreneurial programs at the University of Michigan, wrote a great piece entitled “Aerospace Must Revive Its Spirit”. The article highlighted the need for entrepreneurship in aerospace, and had great things to say about the SpaceX team and our program:

“I recently performed an analysis of the very best students in my space engineering programs over the past decade, based on their scholarly, leadership and entrepreneurial performance at Michigan. To my amazement, I found that of my top 10 students, five work at SpaceX. No other company or lab has attracted more than two of these top students.

…A former student told me, “This is a place where I am the limiting factor, not my work environment”. At SpaceX, he considers himself to be in an entrepreneurial environment in which great young people collaborate to do amazing things. He never felt like this in his previous job with an aerospace company.

…Today, the SpaceX parking lots are full at night, not because people are forced to put in extra hours, but just like at the early NASA, SpaceX is working in young teams, on the toughest challenges, and realizing that risk is an important aspect of any entrepreneurial activity. That’s why SpaceX attracts the best of the best to join its team.

…I hope entrepreneurial successes, such as the ones at SpaceX, will start to define a new image for an industry that often believes its most important achievements are in the past. We need to create an entrepreneurial environment to attract top talent and once again
shoot for the stars!”

Read the full article here.

Hiring top talent has always been a number one priority for SpaceX. Our team now numbers over 1,200 and we continue to seek out the most sought-after and enterprising engineers and production technicians in the industry. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our team, please visit our careers webpage at www.spacex.com/careers or email us at jobs@spacex.com.

Falcon 9 Flight 1 in Pictures

Friday, June 18, 2010

Flight sequence for Falcon 9 Flight 1 as it departs from the SpaceX launch pad at Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 4, 2010 with an official liftoff time of 2:45 PM Eastern / 11:45 AM Pacific / 18:45:00 UTC.

Unless otherwise noted, all image credits: SpaceX.

View from the second stage’s aft-facing camera, at T minus 10 seconds, looking down the length of the Falcon 9 rocket,
about 37 meters (120 feet) above the launch pad and main engines. The quick connect panel at left provides propellant,
power and communications to the second stage of the vehicle, and disconnects at liftoff. The code at lower left is UTC time.

At one second prior to liftoff, the nine Merlin 1C main engines reach full power, just before the launch
mount releases the vehicle for flight.

As it departs from the launch pad, the rising Falcon 9 passes the clamps located at the top of the transporter/erector structure.

Pieces of frost fall from the cryogenic liquid oxygen tanks, and look like fireworks when illuminated by the engines’ light.
Small white cylinders to left and right are the tops of two of the four lightning towers that surround and protect the launch pad.

The circular ring road that surrounds the launch site recedes as the rocket climbs.

A condensation shock front surrounds the vehicle as it climbs above a thin deck clouds. Insert has view from the ground
showing the full body condensation wave. Insert image credit: Ben Cooper, launchphotography.com / spaceflightnow.com

Passing the point of Maximum Dynamic Pressure (MaxQ). From this time onwards, the combination of decreasing atmospheric
pressure and increasing velocity will apply less and less force to the vehicle.

The exhaust plume darkens due to decreasing oxygen at this altitude, and expands due to the decreasing atmospheric pressure.

The exhaust plume reaches its maximum size just before first stage shutdown.

After first stage shutdown, the vehicle coasts for a moment before initiating stage separation.

Stage separation begins with the pneumatic pushers pushing the first stage away.

Stage separation exposes the nozzle extension of the second stage Merlin Vacuum engine.

Ignition of the second stage Merlin Vacuum engine.

The Merlin Vacuum fires without visible flame as we cross into the defined edge of space.

As the nozzle extension warms, it softens the adhesive that secures the four segments of the nozzle stiffening ring.
They release and fall away, similar to the event on SpaceX’s Falcon 1.

The vehicle remains on the designated flight path and continues climbing towards orbit.

Continuing to climb, the coast of Florida lies below the clouds at upper right.

Reaching orbital altitude and speed. The gold colored plate at left is the interior portion of the quick disconnect panel.

Upon Second stage Engine Cut Off (SECO), the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft qualification unit reach low earth orbit!
The vehicle sent this final image just moments before loss-of-signal as it passes over the horizon as viewed from the launch site.

First Falcon 9 Test Launch Update

Friday, June 4, 2010

Today, SpaceX’s first Falcon 9 has successfully achieved Earth orbit. This has been a great day for SpaceX and a promising step forward for the US space program, as we make progress towards expanding the human presence in space.

Click here to watch video of the first successful flight of Falcon 9

SpaceX extends special thanks to all of our long-time supporters, all our NASA, Government, and Commercial customers, and the United States Air Force and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for their excellent, ongoing support.

Preparations For First Falcon 9 Test Launch

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

SpaceX is now targeting Friday, June 4th for its first test launch attempt of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

The primary schedule driver for the first Falcon 9 test launch has been certification of the flight termination system (FTS). The FTS ensures that Air Force Range safety officials can command the destruction of the vehicle should it stray from its designated flight path.

The successful liftoff of the recent GPS satellite launch last Thursday freed up the necessary range resources to process our final documentation, and we are now looking good for final approval of the FTS by this Friday, June 4th, just in time for our first launch attempt.

Today we completed end to end testing of the Falcon 9 as required by the Air Force Range and everything was nominal. Later this evening, we will finish final system connections for the FTS. Tomorrow we plan to rollout in the morning, and erect the vehicle in the afternoon. On Friday, the targeted schedule is as follows:

Friday 4 June 2010

Launch Window Opens: 11:00 AM Eastern / 8:00 AM Pacific / 1500 UTC
Launch window lasts 4 hours. SpaceX has also reserved a second launch day on Saturday 5 June, with the same hours.

As always, weather will play a significant role in our overall launch schedule. The weather experts at the Cape are giving us a 40% chance of “no go” conditions for both days of our window, citing the potential for cumulus clouds and anvil clouds from thunderstorms.

If the weather cooperates, SpaceX will provide a live webcast of the launch events, presently scheduled to begin 20 minutes prior to the opening of the launch window. Click here to visit our webcast page which will also be accessible from our home page the day of launch.

It’s important to note that since this is a test launch, our primary goal is to collect as much data as possible, with success being measured as a percentage of how many flight milestones we are able to complete in this first attempt. It would be a great day if we reach orbital velocity, but still a good day if the first stage functions correctly, even if the second stage malfunctions. It would be a bad day if something happens on the launch pad itself and we’re not able to gain any flight data.

If we have a bad day, it will be disappointing, but one launch does not make or break SpaceX as a company, nor commercial spaceflight as an industry. The Atlas rocket only succeeded on its 13th flight, and today it is the most reliable vehicle in the American fleet, with a record better than Shuttle.

Regardless of the outcome, this first launch attempt represents a key milestone for both SpaceX and the commercial spaceflight industry. Keep in mind the launch dates and times are still subject to change, so please check the webcast page above for updates to this schedule. We appreciate your ongoing support and we hope you will tune in on launch day.

Preparations for First Falcon 9 Launch

Thursday, May 6, 2010

As we continue to progress towards the first Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral, certification of the flight termination system (FTS) and subsequent range availability remain the two primary schedule drivers.

Air Force Range safety requires the FTS system, which allows them to safely end the launch should the vehicle stray from its designated flight corridor. The system consists of a command receiver and an ordnance system designed to split the vehicle's fuel and liquid oxygen tanks in the event of an errant flight.

Static test firing of the Falcon 9 first stage, conducted at SpaceX's launch site, Cape Canaveral, Florida on March 13, 2010.
Credit: SpaceX / Chris Thompson.

SpaceX is working closely with Ensign Bickford to complete testing of the explosive elements of the FTS system, but there are other components, such as the FTS radios, antennas and the transponder that come from other suppliers as well. All of these components must be qualified specifically for our flight environments, so unfortunately, it is not simply a case of buying “off the shelf”.

FTS testing is an iterative process where the number of remaining tests depends on the results of previous tests, making it very difficult to predict a completion date. Once testing is complete, final data is submitted to SpaceX and Air Force Range safety officials for review and acceptance. Much of the range calendar for May is already reserved for other activities, so range availability will be a key factor in identifying a launch date. Fortunately the FTS is the last remaining significant milestone--the vehicle is otherwise ready for flight, so once we complete certification, we will be “all systems go” for launch.

Wet Dress Rehearsal

During our successful wet dress rehearsal (WDR) in late February, we experienced some problems with the thermal protective cork layer that covers the first stage. In some areas subjected to the extreme cold of liquid oxygen (LOX), the cork's bonding adhesive failed and several panels separated from the vehicle. It is important to emphasize that the cork is not needed for ascent and there is no risk to flight even if it all came off. This is for thermal protection on reentry to allow for the possibility of recovery and reuse. While stage recovery is not a primary mission objective on this inaugural launch, it is part of our long-term plans, and we will attempt to recover the first stage on this initial Falcon 9 flight.

After applying a new layer of cork thermal protection using a new adhesive system, we opted to perform a second wet dress rehearsal, as well as an electromagnetic interference (EMI) test. Everything performed well and the new adhesive remained properly bonded. A word of thanks to NASA and our resin supplier for helping our structures team find these effective solutions.

As we ramp up our flight rate, Florida will continue to be SpaceX's fastest growing region. We are entering continuous launch operations mode, meaning we will have over 100 people in Florida on average. That count may go as high as 200 later this year when we start preparing and launching Dragon. We expect our direct employment at the Cape to eventually reach thousands of people; using standard multipliers for indirect regional employment, this could mean in excess of several thousand jobs long term.

Presidential Visit

President Obama honored us with a visit to the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch site at Cape Canaveral on April 15, 2010, just prior to his national speech at Kennedy Space Center describing the administration's new space initiatives.

President Barack Obama and SpaceX CEO and CTO Elon Musk at the SpaceX Falcon 9
launch pad, Cape Canaveral, Florida on April 15, 2010. SpaceX's Leslie Woods Jr. and
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in background. Credit: Associated Press.

Credit: Associated Press.

Meeting the President at the Falcon 9 launch site, from left: Neil G. Hicks, Florence Li, Brian Mosdell,
President Obama, Leslie Woods Jr., and Elon Musk. Credit: Getty Images.

Several members of our SpaceX team were able to meet the President during his tour of the Falcon 9 launch pad including:

Neil G. Hicks, SpaceX Lead Fluid System Engineer

Neil received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida and is a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer with 31 years experience. Neil spent 17 years as a NASA shuttle technician on the main engines, 13 years as a launch propulsion engineer involved in design and development of the Delta IV RS-68 rocket engine, and a year designing the Ares I launch pad pneumatic system for NASA. In the two and a half years since joining SpaceX, Neil has lead the team designing, building, and activating the launch pad fluid systems for Falcon 9.

Florence Li, SpaceX Structures Manager

Florence received her BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware, and her MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University. Florence has been with SpaceX almost seven years. She started with structural analysis, testing and launch integration on the first four Falcon 1 rocket launch campaigns, and currently works on Falcon 9 vehicle integration at Cape Canaveral.

Brian Mosdell, SpaceX Director, Florida Launch Operations

Brian received his BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and brings over 20 years of launch operations experience, including work on the Titan, Delta, and Atlas programs. Brian was the Chief Launch Conductor for ULA prior to joining SpaceX two years ago.

Leslie Woods Jr., SpaceX Compensation and Human Resources Information Systems Manager

Leslie received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and has been with SpaceX for nearly five years. His diverse background in engineering, technical sales and recruiting has helped lead SpaceX's growth from 200 employees in 2006 to nearly 1,000
in 2010.

The President impressed us all with his level of understanding, and the nature of his questions. He clearly perceives both the challenges we face, as well as the opportunities for these new initiatives to become powerful economic engines.

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