FALCON 9, FLIGHT 1 PHOTO GALLERY DOCUMENTS FALCON 9 FLIGHT 1 PRESS KIT • READ (PDF) FALCON 9 USER'S GUIDE • READ (PDF) SPACEX BROCHURE • READ (PDF) FREE VIDEO FALCON 9 FLIGHT 1 LAUNCH HIGHLIGHTS (CREDIT: SPACEX) • WATCH OUR VIDEO OF THE LAUNCH FROM THE KSC VAB ROOF • WATCH ANOTHER VIEW OF THE LAUNCH FROM THE VAB ROOF • WATCH LAUNCH WEBCAST REPLAYS, T-1 MIN THRU ORBIT (CREDIT: SPACEX) • WATCH NASA TV VIDEO OF THE LAUNCH • WATCH COUNTDOWN IS CUTOFF AT T-4 SECONDS (CREDIT: SPACEX) • WATCH ALL-ACCESS MEMBER VIDEO DOWNLOADS FALCON 9 FLIGHT 1 LAUNCH HIGHLIGHTS (CREDIT: SPACEX) • DOWNLOAD OUR VIDEO OF THE LAUNCH FROM THE KSC VAB ROOF • DOWNLOAD ANOTHER VIEW OF THE LAUNCH FROM THE VAB ROOF • DOWNLOAD LAUNCH WEBCAST REPLAYS, T-1 MIN THRU ORBIT (CREDIT: SPACEX) • DOWNLOAD NASA TV VIDEO OF THE LAUNCH • DOWNLOAD HIGH_QUALITY QUICKTIME VIDEO DOWNLOADS COURTESY OF SPACEX SECOND STAGE SHUTDOWN, ORBIT INSERTION • DOWNLOAD FIRST/SECOND STAGE SEPARATION • DOWNLOAD FALCON 9 LIFTS OFF • DOWNLOAD THE ROCKET IS BROUGHT VERTICAL AFTER ROLLOUT • DOWNLOAD TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF ROLLOUT TO THE PAD • DOWNLOAD STATIC TEST FIRE - CLOSEUP • DOWNLOAD STATIC TEST FIRE - WIDE ANGLE • DOWNLOAD (Photo Above: SpaceX's first Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Credit: Chris Thompson / SpaceX) "This has really been a fantastic day, certainly one of the greatest days of my life," SpaceX founder Elon Musk said. "As many people know, we would have been excited to even have the first stage work or get some of the way through the second stage burn. As I said before, it would be a great day if we got to orbit. And, thankfully, it has been a great day." Falcon lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, one of two former Air Force Titan IV launch pads. The Air Force's 45th Space Wing manages Cape Canaveral and the Eastern Range. Today's launch also marks a change for the Wing, which is used to supporting NASA's space shuttle and commercial Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles, the Delta IV and Atlas 5, whose development was funded by the Department of Defense and missions are mostly in support of DoD's needs. "The 45th Space Wing was proud to be a part of the maiden launch of the Falcon 9," said Col. Ed Wilson, 45th Space Wing commander, who served as the Launch Decision Authority. "This mission showcases the potential for commercial space flight and once again proves why the combined Space Coast launch team has earned such a renowned reputation for assured access to space worldwide." The launch, designed to test the rocket's systems in-flight for the first time, may provide powerful ammunication for proponents of President Obama's plans for the future of space exploration which includes the provision that NASA purchase transportation services to low orbit from the commercial sector. "I think it really helps vindicate the approach that he's taking, and it shows that even a small new company like SpaceX can make a real difference," Musk said regarding the Falcon 9's debut. The payload for the mission was a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit intended to gather valuable aerodynamic and performance data for the Falcon 9 configuration that will fly on the following Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) and Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) missions for NASA. Dragon is one of two spacecraft NASA has commissioned to perform cargo resupply services to the International Space Station. Today's launch allows SpaceX to speed up development of Dragon before it makes its first test flight to the space station next year. While the mockup is structurally and aerodynamically equivalent to the operational version of Dragon, it doesn't include all of the internal hardware, control system or heat shield for return to Earth and recovery. After reaching orbit, the Dragon unit remained attached to the Falcon upper stage and will not be recovered. Falcon's launch occurred at 2:45 p.m. EDT, three hours and forty-five minutes into a four-hour window. Liftoff was originally targeted for the 11 a.m. opening of the window, but had to be pushed back an hour and a half so engineers could troubleshoot a communications issue between the rocket and Cape Canaveral's range safety support equipment. The flight termination system allows the range safety officer to blow up the rocket in case of a serious problem that could threaten the communities surrounding Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Considering the fact that the first flight of a new launch vehicle is, historically, successful about as often as it results in failure, a fully-functional flight termination system is a must. Once the communication issue was resolved, the count was resumed for a planned 1:30 p.m. T-0. Everything seemed on track for launch when, at about T-4 seconds, the countdown was halted due to an out-of-limits pressure transient in one of the nine first stage Merlin engines. The last-second abort just before ignition took everyone by surprise and caused more than a few gasps. After more troubleshooting, engineers determined it was safe to fly, the countdown computer was updated and the count reset for launch at 2:45 p.m. Seconds before liftoff, the ignition command was sent to the rocket and the nine Merlin 1C engines, an upgraded version of the Falcon 1 first stage engine, roared to life. Hydraulic arms prevented the rocket from lifting off until all engines had reached the correct operating parameters, and then retracted to free Falcon to take to the skies. 
(Photo Above: SpaceX's first Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Credit: Chris Thompson / SpaceX) With a distinctive roar from its nine main engines, the slim white Falcon 9 rose slowly and majestically off the launch pad, trailing a brilliant yellow-white tongue of flame. Shouts of "GO!" could be heard in the background of the launch webcast provided by SpaceX as well as at viewing sites around Kennedy Space Center. Falcon rose slowly at first through partly cloudy afternoon skies, then gained speed from the nearly 1 million pounds of thrust from its first stage. The rocket reached the area of maximum aerodynamic stress at about 76 seconds after launch but video from a camera mounted on the vehicle showed it flying straight and true through the upper atmosphere. At about two and a half minutes after launch, two of the first stage engines shut down as planned in an event termed MECO-1. As the rocket reached an altitude of about 50 miles, the first stage shut down the remaining seven engines, MECO-2, at ~T+2:54, followed by separation of the first and second stages two seconds later. Despite the clouds, ground-based cameras clear captured the staging event, as did the onboard rocketcam. The upper stage, powered by a single Merlin engine, ignited 3 seconds later. As is the case for the first stage, the upper stage Merlin engine is a derivative of the Falcon 1's first stage. However, when utilized on the second stage, the engine features a large (high expansion ratio) niobium nozzle that is designed specifically to operate in the vacuum of space where the atmospheric pressure around the rocket's exhaust is essentially zero psi. The Merlin upper stage burned for approximately 8 minutes, 39 seconds. SECO, sustainer engine cutoff, occurred at ~T+9:38 and placed the stage and attached Dragon capsule into a circular orbit almost precisely 250 km (155 miles) high inclined 34.5 degrees to the Earth's Equator. One unexpected "feature" of the climb to orbit was a pronounced longitudinal rolling motion in the upper stage toward the end of its burn. Despite the roll, which was not a tumbling motion, the vehicle reached the intended orbit almost on the nose. A statement from SpaceX shortly after launch stated, "Telemetry showed essentially a bullseye: ~0.2% on perigee and ~1% on apogee." "We got our Falcon 9 rocket to orbit," Musk told members of the media after launch. "It achieved a near-bullseye on the target, about 99.8 percent on perigee and 101 percent on apogee." Intended to test the operation of the Falcon 9's first and second stages, the launch is a good sign that SpaceX is on course to become one of NASA's cargo, and eventually crew, transportation suppliers in the coming years following the retirement of the shuttle orbiter fleet. The next launch will carry a "live" Dragon capsule that will test out its systems in orbit on the first test flight under the COTS program. During that mission, Dragon will separate from the upper stage and fly on its own for about three orbits. After the shakedown cruise, it will fire thrusters to bring it out of orbit and head to a parachute landing in the Pacific Ocean off California. "We look forward to the launch that's going to come up soon, when we will be carrying an active version of the Dragon spacecraft and getting to the space station next year," Musk said. Then, sometime in 2011, SpaceX will conduct a demonstration mission to the International Space Station prior to commencing operational cargo-carrying missions under its COTS and CRS contract with NASA, which calls for 12, and potentially more, cargo flights to ISS. "Congratulations to Space X on today's launch of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Space X's accomplishment is an important milestone in the commercial transportation effort and puts the company a step closer to providing cargo services to the International Space Station," said NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden after today's successful launch. "Preparations are proceeding for the first NASA-sponsored test launch under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project later this year. COTS is a vital development and demonstration partnership to create a commercial space transportation system capable of providing cargo to the station. "This launch of the Falcon 9 gives us even more confidence that a resupply vehicle will be available after the space shuttle fleet is retired." Democrat member of the U.S House of Representatives Suzanne Kosmas (FL -24), whose district includes Kennedy Space Center, also voiced congratulations to SpaceX. "The successful test launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is a significant step in the development of the commercial space industry," said Kosmas in a statement issued by her office. "There is no doubt that commercial spaceflight will play an important role in the future of our efforts in space, and I believe private companies can bring new job opportunities for the Space Coast's highly-skilled workforce." However, in words similar to those of other elected officials who are less enthusiastic about President Obama's plan for NASA, Kosmas added, "But we must both support the emerging commercial space industry and ensure a robust, NASA-led human spaceflight program in order to maintain our international leadership in space and keep our economy strong. I will continue fighting at every opportunity to minimize the human spaceflight gap, protect jobs, and ensure a bright future for the Space Coast." One politician who is not enthusiastic is Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R - TX). "This first successful test flight of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is a belated sign that efforts to develop modest commercial space cargo capabilities are showing some promising signs," Hutchison said in a press release that demonstrates the kind of negative attitude and comments that SpaceX has had to endure ever since President Obama called for NASA to rely on commercial providers for space transportation. However, it is correct to point out that the President's decision had nothing to do with SpaceX's development of Falcon 9 which was begun before the Constellation Program existed. Speaking to the press after launch, Musk took Hutchison to task for the seeming lack of support for the company. "I don't understand why she's trying to hurt a Texas company," Musk said. "We do all of our engine testing and development in Texas. We're one of the fastest-growing employers in Texas. That's wrong. And the people in Texas ought to be aware of that." Perhaps because of its success and ongoing progress with Dragon, SpaceX now finds itself caught in the middle of a debate over the future of NASA and America's human spaceflight program. Passions run high on both sides of the Constellation vs. commercial debate and the stakes are high for those involved. One fact of life is certain, and that is the pending fly-out of the shuttle fleet, which, as of today, has only two more missions scheduled before the fleet is decommissioned. Even if NASA adds one more mission to the manifest, currently being debated internally and supported publicly through a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D - FL), the shuttle fleet will certainly be headed to museums within the next year. Combined with Obama's recommendation to cancel NASA's Constellation program to return astronauts to the Moon and travel beyond, along with the Ares I and V rockets and jobs that go with them, the situation can only be described as uncertain at best. Some of NASA's centers and the communities that serve them face dire predictions of job and economic losses down the road. For example, Florida's Space Coast is looking at the very real prospect of between 15,000 and 25,000 direct and indirect job losses following the retirement of the shuttle in the absence of a new large NASA program to replace it. State leaders are realizing the focus will have to turn to attracting other aerospace and high-technology companies in order to maintain, or at least minimize the downsizing of, the industrial base in the state. In the future, SpaceX, other launch providers and support companies will play an integral role in the transformation of the Space Coast from being NASA and shuttle-centric to something more broad-based, with diverse activities and a greater range of capabilities. "SpaceX is an innovator , and a prime example of the type of company that will make the next-generation U.S. Space Program globally competitive and sustainable," said Frank DiBello, President of Space Florida, the state's space agency. "We are thrilled for their success today with the launch of Falcon 9, and look forward to their continued groundbreaking work here in Florida." Regardless of what the future holds in store, today marks a great day for the commercial space industry and Cape Canaveral. Questions - and worries - about the future can take a back seat to the celebrations of a company's first launch of a new rocket. For SpaceX at least, the future is brighter than ever before. (The Spacearium / SpaceflightNews.net)
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