Dragon Capsule Returns To Earth!

The Dragon capsule splashed down to a successful landing in the Pacific Ocean just before noon Eastern time today, completing an up-and-down journey to the International Space Station. While this was done many times with the US space shuttle — and is still being done with Russian Soyuz capsules — the success of Dragon is significant because it is the first private, commercially owned vehicle to make that trip. The capsule, built by SpaceX, was launched on one of the company’s Falcon 9 rockets on 22 May, and docked with the space station last week.


SpaceX should begin in earnest now on 12 station resupply missions under terms of a $1.6 billion commercial cargo contract with NASA. The company has plans to certify the capsule for use by astronauts in the next several years.

At over $100 million per launch, Dragon is still not a cheap ride to the station. But it is a bargain basement price compared to the space shuttle, which according to a life-time analysis cost a whopping $1.5 billion per launch. The key difference is the way the rides are bought. The United States “owned” the space shuttle, but paid through the nose for commercial contractors such as Boeing to build it — under a procurement strategy called “cost-plus” that offered few incentives for contractors to find efficiencies. SpaceX and other upstart companies want to sell rides into space not just to NASA but to anyone that wants one — and they want to sell those rides as the commercial airline industry does.

From: Nature News Blog

Intelsat Signs First Commercial Falcon Heavy Launch Agreement with SpaceX

Advanced Vehicle Provides Expanded Options for Operator of the World's Largest Satellite Fleet



Washington, DC / Hawthorne, CA May 29, 2012 - Today, Intelsat, the world's leading provider of satellite services, and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), the world's fastest growing space launch company, announced the first commercial contract for the Falcon Heavy rocket.


"SpaceX is very proud to have the confidence of Intelsat, a leader in the satellite communication services industry," said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer. "The Falcon Heavy has more than twice the power of the next largest rocket in the world. With this new vehicle, SpaceX launch systems now cover the entire spectrum of the launch needs for commercial, civil and national security customers."


"Timely access to space is an essential element of our commercial supply chain," said Thierry Guillemin, Intelsat CTO. "As a global leader in the satellite sector, our support of successful new entrants to the commercial launch industry reduces risk in our business model. Intelsat has exacting technical standards and requirements for proven flight heritage for our satellite launches. We will work closely with SpaceX as the Falcon Heavy completes rigorous flight tests prior to our future launch requirements."


This is the first commercial contract for SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. Under the agreement, an Intelsat satellite will be launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).


About the Falcon Heavy


Falcon Heavy is the most powerful rocket in the world and historically is second only to the Apollo-era Saturn V moon rocket. Capable of lifting 53 metric tons (117,000 pounds) to low Earth orbit and over 12 metric tons (26,000 pounds) to GTO, Falcon Heavy will provide more than twice the performance to low Earth orbit of any other launch vehicle. This will allow SpaceX to launch the largest satellites ever flown and will enable new missions. Building on the reliable flight proven architecture of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, Falcon Heavy is also designed for exceptional reliability. The vehicle is designed to meet both NASA human rating standards as well as the stringent U.S. Air Force requirements for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, making it an attractive solution for commercial, civil and military customers.


About SpaceX


SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world's most advanced rockets and spacecraft. With a diverse manifest of 40 launches to deliver commercial and government satellites to orbit, SpaceX is the world's fastest growing launch services provider. In 2010, SpaceX became the first commercial company in history to put a spacecraft into orbit and return it safely to Earth. With the retirement of the space shuttle, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft are carrying cargo, and one day astronauts, to and from the space station for NASA. Founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Valor Equity Partners. The company has over 1,800 employees in California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Florida. For more information, visit www.SpaceX.com.


About Intelsat


Intelsat is the leading provider of satellite services worldwide. For over 45 years, Intelsat has been delivering information and entertainment for many of the world's leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet Service Providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat's satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video, data and voice services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of High Definition, to the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access, with Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far. For more information about Intelsat, visit www.intelsat.com. Intelsat is the world's leading provider of fixed satellite services. With Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far.


From: http://www.spacex.com/

Could Prayer Be Behind The Success Of The Soyuz Program?

Last week, vivid photographs were released of a Russian Orthodox priest annointing the Soyuz, the crew, and even the press in advance of the May 15 launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur Cosmodrome. Blessing the crew is a tradition that began in 1994 by request of cosmonaut Alexander Viktorenko before his launch to Mir. This is one of the few Russian pre-launch traditions that were not founded by or related to Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, since religious expression was limited in the pre-1990 Soviet era.


Usually, a priest administers the blessing to Soyuz crew on the steps of their hotel. On this launch, however, a few additional blessings were included.

A Russian Orthodox priest blessing the Soyuz at the launchpad in Baikonur Cosmodrome on May 14 (Credits: Bill Ingalls/NASA).

A Russian Orthodox priest's liberal annointing with holy water includes the press at a pre-launch blessing on May 14 (Credits: Bill Ingalls/NASA).



From: Space Saftey Magazine