SpaceX aims to launch its Falcon 9 rocket on its first flight Friday and the weather looks as if it will cooperate.The 18-story rocket and its payload -- a mock-up of a Dragon space capsule -- are slated to blast off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station during a window that will extend from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"We're all systems green right now," company founder Elon Musk told reporters in a media teleconference today.
The weather forecast remains the same. Meteorologists say there is a 60 percent chance conditions will be acceptable for flight.
Musk said the objective of the flight is to reach a circular orbit 250 kilometers (155 miles) above Earth. But he also said it would be a good day if the first stage of the rocket -- powered by nine Merlin engines -- works properly and a great day if the second stage also operates as designed.
Musk noted that historically, 50 percent of new rockets fail during their first flight. He said he believes there's about a 70 to 80 percent chance the Falcon 9 will fly successfully.
"But either way, we're going to learn something," said former NASA astronaut Ken Bowersox, vice president of astronaut safety and mission assurance with SpaceX. "When the vehicle lifts off the pad, no matter what the outcome is, we're going to learn something that makes the second flight more likely (to succeed)."
The second Falcon 9 flight is slated to launch later this summer. It will haul a fully-equipped Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The company's first demonstration flight to the International Space Station is scheduled in the second quarter of 2011.
The company holds a $1.6 billion contract to launch 12 cargo missions to the International Space Station.
IMAGE NOTE: Click to enlarge the SpaceX photos of the Falcon 9 rocket being rolled out and raised today at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Launch is scheduled for Friday during a window that will stretch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Photo credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX.
2 comments:
I certainly wish SpaceX and all the other commercial players success. In the long run the effective utilization of space will require different methods and new ideas.
For NASA itself ?I wish we as a country could focus on some clearer goals and plan for the manned space program. technology development is necessary, but will flounder without a clear objective were it will be used.
I too wish Space X success, even as a member " SpaceX's enemies ...that would "nitpick" the flight" Having been in this business since 1988 I understand that many things can go right and seeming simple things can go wrong. I also understand that in this business your best friend can and is often your competitor(s) and that when one vehicle is successful then the entire space launch business is successful.
As far as Space X being the future of manned space flight ? No the real future of manned space flight is when we as private citizens go to the "space port" buy a ticket, get on board a 'space plane' and fly straight into space.
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