Congratulations SpaceX!! - Images & Video from COTS 1 Demo

Congratulations again to SpaceX for their successful demonstration mission yesterday!  The Falcon 9 and Dragon vehicles performed admirably.

My first post yesterday covered their successful launch and achievement of orbit with the Dragon crew/cargo capsule.  My second post yesterday covered their successful re-entry.

Here are some more images to continue the celebration.

Dragon with parachutes deployed

Recovery boat approaches Dragon

High Res of the Falcon 9 launch by NASA

High Res of launch by Parabolic Arc

High Res of launch by Florida Today

Youtube has some great video of the launch as well, here are some good selections:

• Link 1 - HD coverage from NASA TV of the launch (no onboard video) 

• Link 2 - Original SpaceX webcast footage of launch (with onboard video)

• Link 3 - Post Mission interview with Elon Musk (55min long)

 

Congratulations SpaceX!! - COTS Demo of Dragon is SUCCESSFUL!

Congratulations to SpaceX for a successful demonstration today of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and the Dragon crew/cargo capsule!!  Way to kick some serious ass!!

Earlier today I made a post on their successful launch, separation, and initiation of orbit. 

Launch today at KSC of Falcon 9 with Dragon by SpaceX

Around 10:30am EST SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 launch vehicle with a Dragon crew/cargo capsule on it from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  After reaching orbit, Dragon separated from the second stage of the vehicle and proceeded to circle our blue dot (i.e. orbit earth).  For space nerds like myself, watching the SpaceX webcast of these events was cause for mass celebration!

Second stage engine with nose cone falling back to earth

Around 2:30pm EST Dragon did a re-entry burn, entered the atmosphere, deployed parachutes, and splashed down.  SUCCESS! 

This feat made SpaceX the first commercial company EVER to conduct the re-entry of spacecraft from low earth orbit.  Big balls!  :-D

All of this was part of a demonstration SpaceX conducted for NASA and the US Government on a program called "COTS".  Essentially this program is designed to commercial spaceflight to service the International Space Station (ISS).  The immediate goal is to service cargo to and from the ISS, with the strong possibility of rotating crew...eventually. 

Business end of the Falcon 9 with 9 liquid rocket engines

Today's success is a huge milestone for SpaceX and commercial spaceflight in general.  This is a big win for the US, a relatively small company, and the hopes of many that believe commercial spaceflight is the way of the future (at least to low earth orbit aka LEO).  Respect to SpaceX and it's team that made this happen.  Don't forget NASA and the US Government though - they are footing some of the bill here, and essentially creating the "marketplace" by creating contracts for SpaceX (and others, like Orbital Sciences Corp) to service ISS.

All in all, a very good day for space and spaceflight.  Grab a pint, and toast to the stars tonight! 

*note:  I've got some video and other pictures I will add later, please check back tonight or tomorrow for another update!

Congratulations SpaceX!! - Falcon 9 / Dragon Test Flight

Congratulations to SpaceX for the successful COTS demonstration launch today!  HELL YEAH!

Falcon 9 looking sexy on the pad

Today's launch of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle with the Dragon crew/cargo capsule appears to be a huge success.  Launch went well, first stage / second stage separation went well, and the Dragon capsule confirmed separation and powered on it's propulsion systems successfully in orbit.

Today's Falcon 9 launch at Kennedy Space Center, FL

Second stage kicking ass

Damn fine job.  I watched the webcast with great anticipation, as this test had a lot on the line for the US, SpaceX, NASA, and human spaceflight in general.  Very happy to see that it went smoothly.  These screenshots are from that webcast.  (www.spacex.com/webcast.php) 

Dragon capsule separates and starts to kick ass on its own

All that is left now are a few orbits around the earth, re-entry (not trivial), and recovery (and inspection). 

Dragon capsule can carry cargo and crew to LEO

Will be looking forward to additional updates on their COTS demonstration mission as it becomes available.  I might post more, as information and images trickle in from various sources.