SpaceX just announced a commercial version of their Dragon space capsule called DragonLab that will allow users to send payloads into low Earth orbit or even deploy small satellites, possibly as early as 2010. DragonLab would be available for up to two missions per year after its initial flight.
SpaceX claims that DragonLab will be able to return payloads back to Earth, lift over 5,000 lbs, go from authorization to ready-to-launch in five months, and be able to integrate payloads 14 days before launch-- nine hours in the case of rapid response payloads. It will have over 350 cubic feet of pressurized volume as well as additional unpressurized volume and will be able to stay on orbit from one week to two years.
The DragonLab vehicle derives from the Dragon capsule being developed as part of NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Program (COTS), and is currently slated to perform three demonstration flights beginning in 2009.
As discussed here before, Dragon was always intended to fly people too. Valin Thorn of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Office said NASA is ready to start a competition for commercial crew transport to the International Space Station in addition to cargo, but is waiting for Congress to provide the funding through the stalled 2009 appropriations bills. Max Vozoff, the SpaceX Dragon Program Manager says SpaceX is ready to take on the crew COTS competition, called COTS-D, now. If Congress passed a 2009 budget soon, SpaceX says that they could deliver crew to ISS as soon as 2012. It is an especially good deal for Congress because they only have to pay if SpaceX succeeds, unlike most other spacecraft contracts which they have to pay for no matter what.
SpaceX also announced this week that the US Air Force has just granted an operational launch license for their use of Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral for Falcon 9 launches. According to their press release, this clears the way for SpaceX to "remain on schedule" and initiate Falcon 9 launch operations in the 4th quarter of 2008. Stay tuned for news of a fourth Falcon 1 launch attempt as well.
Those on the sidelines have their cheers and jeers, but in the end if Falcons reach orbit it will be a good day for commercial spaceflight.
SpaceX Launches DragonLab for Recoverable Scientific Payload Service [Flight Global]
Live Blogging: AIAA Space 2008 COTS Session [Flight Global/Hyperbola blog]
See Also:
- SpaceX: Why Else Would We Put Windows On A Cargo Vehicle?
- SpaceX Completes Merlin Qualification, Slips Falcon 9 Launch
- SpaceX Passes NASA Review of Their Plans to Dock with Space Station
- Launch Pad Demolition Clears Way for SpaceX Rockets
Image courtesy of SpaceX
