interesting update on Falcon I

Ed Kyle wrote:

> The Falcon I first stage engine, Merlin and second stage engine,
> Kestrel will begin acceptance testing within the next few weeks at
the
> SpaceX 300-acre testing facility in McGregor, Texas. Following that,
> Falcon I will be shipped to its launch site, SLC 3W at Vandenberg Air
> Force Base, in late April for a system test firing.
>
> The maiden flight of Falcon I carrying TacSat-1 is scheduled to
follow
> the launch of the last Titan IV from SLC 4 at Vandenberg Air Force
> Base. Assuming an on time departure of the classified Titan IV
mission,
> SpaceX expects a launch window in late summer."
>

The Lompoc Record has an exclusive on a few interesting things about
the SpaceX inaugural launch:

http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2005/04/27/news/news08.txt

some interesting highlights:
-the first Falcon I is at Vandenburg and on the pad

-a short firing of the rocket will occur some time next week

- Ed, you were right about the reason for the delay: The Air Force
wants to wait for BOTH Titan launches before the inaugural Falcon I
launch. As a consequence SpaceX is considering switching the first
launch to Kwajalein, Omelek Island (approx 9.5 N, 167 E). Presumably,
they'd just make the DARPA payload the inaugural payload instead of the
OSD/NRL small sat.

one note: the "short firing" of the first stage is definitely a change
from what was previously a "full holddown firing" of the first stage.
It may still be a precursor to that type of test, or they might do the
full test on first launch, the article doesn't make it clear.

Either way, at least they're making definite progress.

Tom Cuddihy

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: DC-X/Y tail-heavy?
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    (sci.space.history)
  • SpaceX Announces the Falcon 9 Fully Reusable Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle
    ... SPACEX ANNOUNCES THE FALCON 9 FULLY REUSABLE HEAVY LIFT LAUNCH VEHICLE ...
    (sci.space.news)
  • Space X News
    ... FALCON 1 MAIDEN FLIGHT ... The launch will take place from Omelek island, ... The target orbit is 400 km X 500 km, ...
    (rec.models.rockets)
  • Space X News
    ... FALCON 1 MAIDEN FLIGHT ... The launch will take place from Omelek island, ... The target orbit is 400 km X 500 km, ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Space Access Update #111 04/05/05 2nd try
    ... >> A look at a Vandenberg map in the Cambridge Encyclopedia ... >> of) the standard space launch azimuth. ... If SLC 3W could handle Atlas, it can handle Falcon. ... SpaceX is talking late Summer, ...
    (sci.space.policy)
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