Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is retargeting the launch of its next Falcon 9 rocket, which will take an operational Dragon capsule, from Oct. 23 to near the beginning of November.The flight is the original of up to three launches designed below SpaceX’s $278 million Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) bond with NASA. The company also has agreements worth $1.6 billion for 12 cargo liberation runs to the International Space Station.
“Our targeted launch date has stimulated,” Kirstin Brost, SpaceX’s communications director, wrote in an e-mail. “We’ve presented a request for November 8th or 9th and are coming up for the series to complete their standard deconfliction work and give a formal approval.”
On Sept. 15, SpaceX performed a tanking test as part of a countdown preparation for the launch of its second Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Launch Complex 40. An engine test notice also is expected in the weeks leading up to this event .
The purpose of the flight is to reveal Dragon’s orbital maneuvering, communication and re-entry facilities. After several orbits about Earth to confirm performance, the tablet is designed to re-enter the atmosphere and splash down off the coast of southern California, where a revival team will be standing.
Normally, Dragon will come into the atmosphere at around 7 km. per sec. (15,660 mph.), which will heat its outside up to 2000C. For shielding, SpaceX is using a material it calls PICA-X – Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator.
“We will collect performance data and leave significant amounts of risk on key spacecraft systems, together with Draco thrusters, the Dragon communication systems, PICA-X high-performance heat-shield material and other serious navigation, re-entry, landing and healing systems,” the company says on its website.
On Sept. 15, SpaceX performed a tanking test as part of a countdown preparation for the launch of its second Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Launch Complex 40. An engine test notice also is expected in the weeks leading up to this event .
The purpose of the flight is to reveal Dragon’s orbital maneuvering, communication and re-entry facilities. After several orbits about Earth to confirm performance, the tablet is designed to re-enter the atmosphere and splash down off the coast of southern California, where a revival team will be standing.
Normally, Dragon will come into the atmosphere at around 7 km. per sec. (15,660 mph.), which will heat its outside up to 2000C. For shielding, SpaceX is using a material it calls PICA-X – Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator.
“We will collect performance data and leave significant amounts of risk on key spacecraft systems, together with Draco thrusters, the Dragon communication systems, PICA-X high-performance heat-shield material and other serious navigation, re-entry, landing and healing systems,” the company says on its website.
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