[Satellite TODAY 02-02-12] SpaceX has successfully test fired its new, reusable SuperDraco engine – an advanced version of the Draco engines currently used by its Dragon spacecraft to maneuver on orbit and during reentry, the company announced Feb. 1.

   The tests were conducted at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas, during which the SuperDraco sustained full duration, full thrust firing as well as a series of deep throttling demonstrations.

   SpaceX CEO and CTO Elon Musk said the SuperDraco would play a critical role in the company’s human spaceflight contracts with NASA. “SuperDraco engines represent the best of cutting edge technology. These engines will power a revolutionary launch escape system that will make Dragon the safest spacecraft in history and enable it to land propulsively on Earth or another planet with pinpoint accuracy,” Musk said in a statement.

   Musk added that the SuperDraco engine features an escape system that is not jettisoned, which provides astronauts with an ability to escape the vehicle at any point during the launch. “The eight SuperDracos provide redundancy, so that even if one engine fails an escape can still be carried out successfully,” he said.