[Satellite Today 10-08-09] Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) completed acceptance testing of the first and second stages of its Falcon 9 rocket, the company announced Oct. 5.

            Testing at SpaceX’s test site outside of Waco, Texas, subjected both stages to a variety of structural load and proof pressure tests to verify acceptability for flight.  Acceptance testing began in late summer with the first stage and concluded in early October with the second stage. 

            The inaugural flight of Falcon 9 is a demonstration flight that will carry the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit, a cargo vehicle for the International Space Station being developed under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program. The launch is slated for late 2009 or early 2010.

SpaceX DragonEye Sensor Completes NASA COTS Demonstration   Satellite Today   September 28, 2009
[Satellite TODAY 09-25-09] SpaceX demonstrated its DragonEye proximity sensor to be used on NASA s STS-127 shuttle mission, the launch company announced Sept. 25. DragonEye was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour July 15 and was tested…

SpaceX Scheduled for Falcon-9 Debut Launch   Satellite Today   September 24, 2009
[Satellite TODAY 09-24-09] The maiden launch of the SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket has been scheduled for Nov. 29, according to the most recent 90-day Eastern Range forecast released by the U.S. Air Force on Sept. 21. The medium-lift, nine-engine…

SpaceX Falcon-1e Wins Launch Contract with Astrium   Satellite Today   September 9, 2009
[Satellite TODAY 09-09-09] Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has won a contract from Astrium to launch an Earth observation satellite it designed for its recently acquired subsidiary, Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), aboard a Falcon 1e…