SpaceX, a company that aims to cut the cost of space transportation, may launch its Falcon 1 rocket today, or sometime very soon.
In the past two days, the private space exploration company has conducted two full-power tests of its newer Falcon 9 system. During those dress rehearsals, all nine engines fired, obliterating thirty-two thousand pounds of fuel and creating more thrust than four 747 aircraft.
“Not since the final flight of the Saturn 1B rocket in 1975, has a rocket had the ability to lose any engine or motor and still successfully complete its mission,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “Much like a commercial airliner, our multi-engine design has the potential to provide significantly higher reliability than single engine competitors.”
The predecessor of that mighty spacecraft, Falcon 1, may blast off this afternoon, or anytime during a five day launch window. When that happens, you can watch it via webcast from the SpaceX website.
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Stay tuned for more coverage on Wired Science. Image: The first test of all nine Falcon 9 rocket engines. Courtesy of Space X.
