SpaceX

SpaceX is the shorter name for Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, a privately-owned American start-up company specializing in space transportation. Its latest project is the DragonLab, a free-flying, reusable capsule that could fly commercial or passenger missions into space for a period of one week to two years.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27599900/ SpaceX was established by PayPal founder Elon Musk in 2002, and is currently under a $1.6 billion contract with NASA.http://www.spacex.com/company.php

NASA chose SpaceX as one of two start-up commercial aerospace companies to provide vehicles for resupply missions. The second company, Rocketplane Kistler, was unable to raise the money it needed, causing NASA to hold a second competition to select Virginia company Orbital Sciences Corporation.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/science/space/08launch.html?partner=rss&emc=rssThe SpaceX contract requires the company to make a minimum of 12 re-supply missions to the International Space Station.http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2010/december/181182/SpaceX-rocket-ready-for-launch-today

On December 8th, 2010 at 10:43 a.m. E.T., SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched from Florida.http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/08/space.flight/index.html?hpt=T2 A successful launch and re-entry would be a major step on the way to commercial space ventures. Commercial ventures could be used to ferry astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station as well as other endeavors.http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/1208/SpaceX-Falcon-9-rocket-launch-First-step-of-new-space-era NASA has also selected Orbital Sciences to compete for the commercial space project. However, SpaceX is the first company to be ready for a launch. SpaceX’s goal is to begin ferrying astronauts in three years.http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/08/space.flight/index.html?hpt=T2

SpaceX's Falcon Launch Vehicles are designed to transport satellites into orbit, reliably and at minimum cost.http://www.spacex.com/falcon1.php The line includes the Falcon 1, as well as the Falcon 9 and Falcon 9 Heavy, which are larger and have greater payload capacity.

The Falcon 1 is a "two stage, liquid oxygen and rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) powered launch vehicle".http://www.spacex.com/falcon1.php It underwent a pair of test launches in 2005 and 2007 before its first mission on August 2, 2008. Although the August 2 attempt was derailed by a shutdown in the first stage engine, a successful entry into orbit was made on September 28, 2008.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26932813/ The Falcon 9 is similar to the Falcon 1, using the same type of engine, avionics, structural architecture, and launch system. http://www.spacex.com/falcon9.php Its first successful launch occurred out of Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 4, 2010.http://www.spacex.com/F9-001.php

SpaceX is headed by entrepreneur Elon Musk, and the company's objective is to provide satellite and manned spacecraft launch capability with greater reliability and lower cost. The launch crew is located in the Marshall Islands and has 25 people, 6 in mission control. This small number, compared to companies with similar rockets, is part of cost reduction. Musk sees other space-launch services' high prices as supporting unnecessary bureaucracy.