William Atkins
Monday, 29 September 2008 21:51
Science -
Space
Page 2 of 3
A Merlin 1C regeneratively-cooled engine powered the first stage, while a Kestrel engine controlled the second stage.
Specifically, the Falcon 1 was launched into a 311 by 435 mile (500 by 700 kilometer) orbit with a 9.2-degree inclination.
The launch was the fourth one for the company, which is headquartered in Hawthorne, California, U.S.A.
The first three launched ended in failure when in March 2006 its first rocket failed during ascent due to a fuel line leak; in March 2007 its second rocket made it to orbit but was lost; and in August 2008, the rocket was lost after the first stage separated.
Further information about the flight, along with other data on the company, is found on its home webpage:
http://www.spacex.com/.
SpaceX has received $278 million within a
COTS (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services) contract from NASA.
The project encourages private ventures in space that could provide alternatives to the space shuttle fleet, both with regards to the delivery of cargo and crew to the International Space Station. NASA announced the COTS project on January 18, 2006.
Page three describes the intended role of SpaceX with NASA and the International Space Station.
