Test fire of the upgraded Falcon 9

[Dec. 18th] Update: The test firing of the Falcon 9 was completed, and the is data being analyzed.

Elon Musk tweeted:

"Falcon 9 is vertical on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Working towards static fire. Deep cryo liquid oxygen presenting some challenges."

It is very encouraging to see a Falcon back on the pad. Hopefully any issues - such as the "deep cryo" LOX fueling (part of the the new Falcon's "densified propellant") - can be sorted quickly in order to have plenty of time to test fire the engines and analyze the data. I don't think this would be the time to rush the process. This flight is important for getting the company back into full swing again, and I'm hopeful about watching a great launch on Sunday. But I wouldn't be surprised if it has to be delayed either, considering the new challenges that inevitably arise with any changes to the vehicle. But the thing that makes SpaceX so exciting is that they keep pushing and are continually moving forward.

Which brings me to what has always been a couched as a secondary goal of recent Falcon launches - landing it in one piece. There have been astonishing close attempts, with each getting closer and closer. And while the payday is earned by hurtling payloads into orbit, having a rocket as big as Falcon hurtle back from space and land itself would be a huge success. And one that would bring a big competitive advantage to SpaceX. There is speculation that the company may be attempting a landing on, well, land. Previous attempts have targeted a platform at sea (the "autonomous spaceport drone ship"), which I assume was to prove it could consistently hit a reasonably small target for safely reasons. But it can do that now, so if the FAA issues a landing permit they seem poised to give it a go.  They've obtained a landing site at the cape designated Landing Complex 1.

So, here's hoping the next few days are fruitful.

Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo's first flight a success

Congratulations to Virgin Galactic on a successful first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo!  This flight tested the key components of the craft, and propelled it to Mach 1.2 and an altitude of 56,000 ft. (17,000 meters).  I won't go into the details as they are covered very well in articles all over the internet, such as this one.

CREDIT: MarsScientific.com and Clay Center Observatory 

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo to attempt Supersonic Flight on Monday

Last year the FAA cleared Virgin Galactic to begin SpaceShipTwo tests.  This Monday, the first of those tests is planned, with the hope of taking the craft supersonic.  According to founder, Richard Branson, the test will attempt to break the sound barrier, and then "build up" through the remainder of the year leading to a sub-orbital "space" flight around year end.  The first "official flight" is scheduled for the first quarter of 2014, and Mr. Branson plans to be aboard, along with his family.

It will be a big milestone for space tourism.