The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket defied the odds and went into orbit Friday. The Falcon 9 represents a new direction in low-orbit cargo resupply missions, away from government-sponsored programs toward commercial spaceflight. Friday’s launch was the first flight test of the Falcon 9, a two-stage, 180-foot-high rocket carrying a mock-up of the Space X Dragon capsule. NASA moved closer to commercial spaceflight for the International Space Station with the successful test.
Billions at stake for commercial spaceflight
The Space X Falcon 9 is in line to replace NASA's space shuttles, which could be retired at the end of the year. Space X has prepared up to 3 Falcon 9/Dragon test flights for NASA, according to Universe Today. The Falcon 9's fourth flight early next year might be its first cargo delivery to the space station. NASA has awarded Space X a $ 1.6 billion contract to continue space station resupply duties once the space shuttle fleet is retired.
Falcon 9 rocket is a bargain
The Space X Falcon 9 rocket is powered by the first new U.S.-made rocket engines in nearly a decade. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Space X has hired hundreds of previous NASA employees and aerospace contractors since it was founded in 2002. Space X was founded by Elon Musk, who invested $ 100 million of the fortune he made selling PayPal to achieve the goal of a lot more affordable spaceflight. One more $ 300 million came from investors supporting Musk's vision. NASA is nevertheless spending $ 300 million a month on the Constellation moon rocket program President Obama will cancel at the end of the year.
Falcon 9 beats the odds
A successful Falcon 9 rocket test was doubtful. Spaceflight experts give the typical launch test a 50-50 chance. Earlier within the week Musk told reporters he figured the Falcon 9 had a 70 to 80 percent chance of succeeding. In contrast the gun just clicks in Russian roulette 83 percent of the time . “So if anybody remembers that scene from ‘The Deer Hunter', that’s tomorrow,” Musk said. On its first test flight, the Space X Falcon 9 surprised the odds makers in a large way.
More tests later for Space X Falcon 9
It took four launches for Space X to get its earlier Falcon 1 rocket to orbit. MSNBC reports that some in Congress and the space community have severe doubts about the ability of Space X and other commercial companies to meet NASA’s requirements for future spaceflight. But besides the successful Falcon 9 launch, Musk said the survival of his company, or the future of private spaceflight, didn't rest on the outcome.
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universetoday.com
orlandosentinel.com
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