SpaceRef Business: SpaceX Archives

SpaceX Dragon Splashes Down with Crucial NASA Research Samples

SpaceX's Dragon cargo spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 11:47 a.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 26, southwest of Baja California with more than 3,000 pounds of NASA cargo, science and technology demonstration samples from the International Space Station.

NASA Orders Second SpaceX Crew Mission to ISS

NASA took another important step Friday in returning U.S. astronaut launches from U.S. soil with the order of a second post-certification mission from commercial provider SpaceX in Hawthorne, California.

SpaceX Test Fires Falcon 9 First Stage from May Mission

SpaceX disclosed and provided a video of the test firing yesterday of the previously used first stage from the Falcon 9 which flew in early May on the Japanese JCSAT-14 satellite mission. On that flight the first stage landed on a barge in the ocean east of Cape Canaveral at night.

SpaceX Crewed Dragon Undergoes Load Testing

The first test article of a SpaceX Crew Dragon undergoes structural load testing to demonstrate the spacecraft's ability to withstand the tremendous forces it's exposed to during space flight.

SpaceX Successfully Launches EUTELSAT 117 West B and ABS-2A Satellites

A SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched and placed the EUTELSAT 117 West B and ABS-2A communications satellites into nominal orbits today.

What Would a Dragon Mission to Mars Cost?

SpaceX would use a Falcon Heavy which they sell for $90 million. Of course it costs SpaceX a lot less to make the rocket than what they sell it for.

Changing The Way We Explore Space

Earlier this week SpaceX announced that it was going to start sending its own missions to Mars. Many people were overjoyed. Others were less than enthusiastic.

NASA Cargo Headed to Space Station Includes Habitat Prototype, Medical Research

Tucked in the trunk of the latest commercial cargo spacecraft to head for the International Space Station is an expandable structure that has the potential to revolutionize work and life on the space station.

SpaceX Tests Crew Dragon Parachutes

Four red-and-white parachutes unfurled high above the desert near Coolidge, Arizona

Video: SpaceX Recap of Falcon 9 Launch and Landing

On December 21, 2015, SpaceX's Falcon 9 delivered 11 satellites to low-Earth orbit and landed the first stage of the rocket back on land.

NASA Orders SpaceX Crew Mission to International Space Station

NASA took a significant step Friday toward expanding research opportunities aboard the International Space Station with its first mission order from Hawthorne, California based-company SpaceX to launch astronauts from U.S. soil.

SpaceX Upgraded Falcon 9 First-Stage Static Fire

SpaceX has released the following video of the first static fire test of the upgraded Falcon 9's first stage with densified propellant which occurred on September 21.

SpaceX Concept of Commercial Crew Launch Operations at Pad 39A

SpaceX released this artist concept of Launch Pad 39A as it would look for the launch of its Crew Dragon spacecraft on top of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying astronauts to the International Space Station.

SpaceX, NASA Managers Discuss Vehicle Mishap Following Falcon 9 Launch Failure

During a post-launch press conference on June 28, mangers from SpaceX and NASA discuss the mishap following the liftoff of the SpaceX CRS-7 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Mishap: More Details Emerge

Sunday morning a Falcon 9 rocket carrying cargo to the International Space Station experienced a catastrophic failure 2:19 into its flight.

NASA Research Returns to Earth Aboard SpaceX Dragon

SpaceX's Dragon cargo spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 12:42 p.m. EDT Thursday with almost 3,100 pounds of NASA cargo from the International Space Station, including research on how spaceflight and microgravity affect the aging process and bone health.

NASA Briefing: SpaceX Commercial Crew Pad Abort Test

A May 1 news briefing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, previewed the pad abort test of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, scheduled for no earlier than Wednesday, May 6.

SpaceX Successfully Launches TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat Satellite

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the TurkmenÄlem52E/MonacoSat satellite
into a geosynchronous transfer orbit after a weather delay on the evening of April 27, 2015. The launch was delayed 49 minutes due to a weather violation, in this case, thick and anvil clouds. But a small window of opportunity opened up, and at 7:03 pm EDT the Falcon 9 launched.

SpaceX Successfully Launches Cargo Resupply Mission to the ISS but Fails to Recover Falcon 1st Stage

SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station today to deliver over 1950kg of supplies. The attempt to land the Falcon 9 first stage on the drone ship in the Atlantic failed as the rocket toppled over after landing according to CEO Elon Musk.

Video: SpaceX Launch Footage in Ultra HD 4K

SpaceX has release the following montage of their launches in Ultra HD 4K. Watch it full screen with the speakers up.

SpaceX Launches Dual Payload to GTO

A SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launched the ABS 3A and EUTELSAT 115 West B satellites towards a supersynchronous transfer orbit. The launch took place on time when the launch window opened at 10:50 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 1, 2015, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

NASA Science Returns to Earth aboard SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft

SpaceX's Dragon cargo spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean about 7:44 p.m. EST Tuesday 259 miles southwest of Long Beach, California, with nearly 3,700 pounds of NASA cargo, science and first-of-its-kind technology demonstration samples from the International Space Station.

SpaceX Releases New Animation of Falcon Heavy and Booster Recovery

SpaceX has released a new animation depicting the launch of a Falcon Heavy from famed Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) with the controlled recovery of both boosters and the first stage.

NASA News Conference: Update on the Commercial Crew Program

NASA, Boeing and SpaceX will held a news briefing on NASA Television at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Jan. 26, to highlight key development activities, test plans and objectives for achieving certification of two American crew transportation systems.

It's Early Days in 2015 But SpaceX is Starting at Light Speed with a Satellite Constellation and Possible Google Investment [Updated]

2014 was a busy year for SpaceX. They managed to launch six rockets, less than hoped, but six nonetheless, all successful. 2015 though is starting with a bang and at light speed. So far they have one rocket launched completed, one drone ship landing miss and another attempt set for February 8th when SpaceX is scheduled to launch NOAA's DSCOVR satellite.

Elon Musk Releases Pictures of Falcon 9 "Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly" (UPDATED)

Elon Musk has released several images through Twitter of what he charaterizes as the "rapid unscheduled disassembly" of the Falcon 9 first stage as it approaches the SpaceX Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship. The pictures are spectacular.

SpaceX Commercial Resupply Mission Launched

More than two tons of supplies and NASA science investigations are on the way to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft.

SpaceX Set to Launch NASA CRS-5 Resupply Mission to the ISS (Updated)

Launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. the SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services Flight (CRS-5) will deliver cargo and crew supplies to the International Space Station. It will also carry CATS, a laser instrument to measure clouds and the location and distribution of pollution, dust, smoke, and other particulates in the atmosphere.

2014 - SpaceX Year in Review

Relive SpaceX's 2014 highlights: launching rockets, landing stages, and unveiling our next generation crewed spacecraft.

SpaceX Completes Static Fire Test Ahead of ISS CRS-5 Launch

On Friday, December 19 SpaceX completed a successful static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket in advance of the CRS-5 mission for NASA. The test was conducted at SpaceX's Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, and ran for the full planned duration.

X Marks the Spot: Falcon 9 Attempts Ocean Platform Landing

During our next flight, SpaceX will attempt the precision landing of a Falcon 9 first stage for the first time, on a custom-built ocean platform known as the autonomous spaceport drone ship.

SpaceX Reaches Milestone With 100th Merlin 1D Engine

The 100th Merlin 1D engine has come off the assembly at SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, California. According to SpaceX it was less than two years ago that production began on Merlin 1D. Currently SpaceX produces four new Merlin 1D engines per week and they expect production will ramp up to five per week before the year is out.

SpaceX Dragon CRS-4 is Berthed at the International Space Station

An unmanned U.S. resupply ship arrived at the International Space Station Sept. 23, two days after its launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, carrying more than 5000 pounds of supplies and critical experiments to the orbital laboratory.

SpaceX Breaks Ground on New Texas Spaceport

Today SpaceX broke ground for the development of their new Texas spaceport at Boca Chica Beach. Along with CEO Elon Musk, Texas Governor Rick Perry and other dignitaries were in attendance.

SpaceX Launches Dragon on 4th Commercial Resupply Mission to the ISS

NASA Television coverage of the September 21 launch of the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft on the company's CRS-4 mission to the International Space Station. The spacecraft's 2.5 tons of supplies, science experiments, and technology demonstrations includes critical materials to support 255 science and research investigations that will occur onboard the station.

SpaceX Successfully Launches AsiaSat 6

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched the AsiaSat 6 satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit in the early hours of Sunday, September 7th. The launch window opened at 04:50 UTC and closed at 08:04 UTC.

SpaceX Challenges Patent Filed by Blue Origin

An employee of Docket Alarm earlier today posted on tech news blog Slashdot that SpaceX had filled a challenge to the patent owned by Blue Origin for "Sea landing of space launch vehicles and associated systems and methods", which was granted earlier this year. Blue Origin has three months to provide a preliminary response.

Future In-Space Operations Teleconference with SpaceX Garrett Reisman

On August 27, 2014, former NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman participated in the Future In-Space Operations (FISO) teleconference. Now the DragonRider Program Manager for SpaceX, Reisman presented a slide show on SpaceX commercial spaceflight.

Update on Asiasat 6 Mission

SpaceX has decided to postpone tomorrow's flight of AsiaSat 6. We are not aware of any issue with Falcon 9, nor the interfaces with the Spacecraft, but have decided to review all potential failure modes and contingencies again. We expect to complete this process in one to two weeks.

SpaceX Releases Falcon 9 First Stage Reentry Footage from Chase Plane

SpaceX has released a video from the July 14th launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying six ORBCOM satellites showing the first stage reentry from a chase plane.

SpaceX Signs Agreement with Texas for Brownsville Spaceport

Texas Governor Rick Perry announced that the state of Texas will provide incentives to SpaceX so that the company can build a commercial spaceport in Cameron County.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches AsiaSat 8 Mission

Early in the morning hours today a SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched the AsiaSat 8 into its intended orbit.

SpaceX Releases ORBCOMM First Stage Return Video

Following last week's successful launch of six ORBCOMM satellites, the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage reentered Earth's atmosphere and soft landed in the Atlantic Ocean. This test confirms that the Falcon 9 booster is able consistently to reenter from space at hypersonic velocity, restart main engines twice, deploy landing legs and touch down at near zero velocity.

SpaceX Private Spaceport in Texas Another Step Closer After FAA Decision

In providing a favorable environmental ruling for SpaceX's proposed private spaceport in Cameron County, Texas last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decision brings SpaceX one step closer realizing its goal.

Video: SpaceX Falcon F9R 1000m Flight

SpaceX has released this video of Falcon 9 Reusable (F9R) during a 1000m test flight at their rocket development facility in McGregor, TX and was their first test that included a set of steerable fins that provide control of the rocket during the fly back portion of return.

Video: Gwynne Shotwell of SpaceX Discusses the Launch Industry

Today the Atlantic Council held its Captains of Industry discussion which featured Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX. This is the recording of the event.

Images: SpaceX Reveals Dragon V2

This evening in short presentation which was delayed SpaceX CEO Elon Musk revealed the next-generation Dragon crewed spacecraft at the SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Video now available.

SpaceX Completes Qualification Testing of SuperDraco Thruster

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) announced today that it has completed qualification testing for the SuperDraco thruster, an engine that will power the Dragon spacecraft's launch escape system and enable the vehicle to land propulsively on Earth or another planet with pinpoint accuracy.

SpaceX to Unveil Dragon V2 for Manned Spaceflight Thursday

True to his word, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk will unveil Dragon V2 this Thursday, May 29th at SpaceX HQ to invited guests. SpaceX is calling the Dragon V2 "a next generation spacecraft designed to carry astronauts into space." It was April 29th that Musk tweeted that the "cover drops on May 29. Actual flight design hardware of crew Dragon, not a mockup."

Court Lifts NPO Energomash Injunction, SpaceX Back at Square One

Yesterday the U.S. Court of Federal Claims lifted the preliminary injunction (PDF) which had barred the Air Force and United Launch Services, a subsidiary of United Launch Alliance, from making any purchases "from or payment of money to NPO Energomash or any entity whether governmental, corporate or individual, that is subject to the control of Deputy Prime Minister Rogozin."

Archived news coming soon.