Thursday, July 30, 2009

SpaceX Completes Falcon 9 Component Test

Hawthorne-based SpaceX reported late Wednesday that the firm has completed qualification testng for the firm's first stage tank and interstage on its next generation, Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The firm said the testing was conducted at the firm's Texas testing facility. SpaceX said that the company's own testing means that the two components of its Falcon 9 meet NASA's human rating safety requirements, part of its milestones to its first Falcon 9 flight sometime this year. Elon Musk, the CEO and founder of SpaceX, said the testing is part of the firm's efforts to qualify the firm's rockets for human flight. SpaceX is backed by Founders Fund and DFJ, along with Musk's own personal fortune.

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