Desert Falcon's Archives
Falcon 9 Integration Under Way
Feb 12, 2010
By Guy Norris
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is beginning integration of the first Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral, Fla., and says it won’t be hurried to complete work despite continuing delays of the first launch.
“Our primary objective is a successful first launch and we are taking whatever time necessary to work through the data to our satisfaction before moving forward,” says SpaceX director of Florida launch operations Brian Mosdell, who adds that the expected launch will take place “one to three months after completing full vehicle integration.”
The final delivery to the SpaceX launch site, Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), included the Falcon 9 second stage, which recently completed testing at SpaceX’s test facility in McGregor, Texas. When completed, the Falcon 9 will be 154 feet tall and 12 feet in diameter. Atop the vehicle will be a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit.
SpaceX says following integration it will conduct a static firing to demonstrate flight readiness and confirm operation of ground control systems in preparation for actual launch. Although a development version of Falcon 9 was first raised to a vertical position more than a year ago, the qualification and testing of the first flight-ready stages have taken longer than expected. Despite successful test firings of nine first-stage engines in July and August 2008, the first sustained firing of a flight-ready set of Merlin engines was not accomplished until October 2009.
As a result of additional development delays and mounting regulatory requirements, SpaceX has progressively moved back the planned launch target for the first Falcon 9 over the past two years. The Falcon 9 and Dragon were selected by NASA to resupply the International Space Station following the upcoming retirement of the shuttle. The first launch later this year will pave the way for 12 supply flights carrying a minimum of 20 tons to and from the station under the terms of a $1.6 billion NASA contract.
Falcon 9 photo: SpaceX
