[Satellite TODAY 10-22-09] SpaceX conducted two static first-stage firings of the nine-engine, liquid-fueled Merlin cluster for its Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the company announced Oct. 22.
   During the first test, conducted Oct. 21, the first stage fired for 10 seconds. The second test, which lasted 30 seconds, was completed Oct. 16. Both were held at the company’s Waco, Texas, testing facility.
   The Falcon 9’s first stage has passed structural and propulsion acceptance testing and will ship to Cape Canaveral, Fla., in preparation for its first flight, which is scheduled to launch a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit into orbit to provide SpaceX with aerodynamic and performance information.

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