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June 26, 2008
Firing Represents the Final Major Event before Launch to Orbit.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) successfully conducted a full launch dress rehearsal and hold down firing of the Falcon 1 Flight 3 vehicle on June 25, 2008 (Marshall Island Time) on Omelek Island, SpaceX’s launch site at the Kwajalein Atoll. This test is the final step before launch of the Falcon 1 rocket.
This marks the first launch pad firing of SpaceX’s new Merlin 1C regeneratively cooled engine, which operated at full power with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. In the coming weeks, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data prior to the opening of the launch window for flight, which runs from late July through early September.
“We are definitely not tied to the clock for this launch, and we are checking and crosschecking every aspect of the vehicle and ground systems to ensure a successful mission,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “Our primary concerns remain the safety and reliability of our vehicle, and the successful delivery of the Defense Department and NASA satellites to orbit.”
During launch, SpaceX will use the extensive range safety, tracking and telemetry services provided by the Reagan Test Site (RTS) at the United States Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the Central Pacific. RTS will be closed for the national Fourth of July holiday, and resumes operations on 24 July. The next launch window opens 29 July and runs through 6 August, followed by one from 29 August to 5 September.
SpaceX will provide complete launch day coverage and a live webcast of
the launch and ascent into orbit.
Credits: Business Wire
Dress rehearsal hot firing of SpaceX's Falcon 1 Flight 3 vehicle on the
launch pad at the SpaceX Omelek Island launch site, in the Kwajalein
Atoll, located 2,500 miles southeast of Hawaii. Only the launch pad's
hold-down system restrains the rocket from flight.
(Photo: Business
Wire)
February 27, 2008
SpaceX announces that it has completed the qualification testing program of its Merlin 1C next generation liquid fueled rocket booster engine (pictured at left) for use in the Falcon 1 rocket. “This was the final development milestone required for the next Falcon 1 flight,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX.
Credit: SpaceX
September 28, 2007
Two Celestis flight canisters are integrated onto the Falcon 1 avionics platform. The avionics platform is attached the second stage of the Falcon 1 and will orbit the Earth with the Celestis canisters attached to it. The procedure took place at the SpaceX facility in El Segundo, California. Click here for additional photos.
Please note that while reservations
for the Explorers Flight are closed, we are
taking reservations for future Earth Orbit, Earth Return,
Lunar and Voyager Flights. Click here
for more information.
March 21, 2007
January 19, 2007
January 12, 2007
January 22, 2007 is still a tentative date representing the earliest possible launch. As always, launches can be delayed due to a variety of reasons, even during the final countdown.
We congratulate SpaceX on clearing all of the return to flight hurdles and look forward to a successful mission. We will post news of the launch and an updated Explorers Flight schedule on our site as soon as possible after the flight of Falcon 1 demonstration mission.
October 22, 2006
March 22, 2006
May 27, 2005
Credit: SpaceX
Credit: SpaceX
Credit: SpaceX
Credit: SpaceX
January 24, 2005
Credit: SpaceX
November 2004
Credit: SpaceX