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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Ready to put spades to work at ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral are (from left) Thad Altman, Florida State representative; Jeff Kottkamp, Florida State Lt. Governor; Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Space Exploration Technologies; Brig. Gen. Susan J. Helms, commander of the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing; Lynda Weatherman, Brevard County Economic Development Commission CEO and president; Steve Koehler, president of Space Florida; Janet Petro, deputy director of NASA Kennedy Space Center; Patricia Grace Smith, FAA associate administrator for Commercial Space Transportation; and Steve Cain, NASA Kennedy Space Center COTS project manager. As part of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, competition, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 with a cargo-carrying payload on a series of three demonstration missions from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station, culminating with the delivery of supplies to the $100 billion dollar orbiting laboratory. SpaceX intends to demonstrate its launch, maneuvering, berthing and return abilities by 2009 – a year before NASA has scheduled the conclusion of Space Shuttle operations. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd3062

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Ready to put spades to work at ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral are (from left) Thad Altm... more

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Brig. Gen. Susan J. Helms (left) talks about the opportunity for both SpaceX and the 45th Space Wing. As part of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, competition, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 with a cargo-carrying payload on a series of three demonstration missions from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station, culminating with the delivery of supplies to the $100 billion dollar orbiting laboratory. SpaceX intends to demonstrate its launch, maneuvering, berthing and return abilities by 2009 – a year before NASA has scheduled the conclusion of Space Shuttle operations. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd3059

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Brig. Gen. Susan J. Helms (left) talks about the opp... more

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Steve Koehler, president of Space Florida, talks about the opportunity for both SpaceX and the 45th Space Wing that the new facility will provide As part of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, competition, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 with a cargo-carrying payload on a series of three demonstration missions from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station, culminating with the delivery of supplies to the $100 billion dollar orbiting laboratory. SpaceX intends to demonstrate its launch, maneuvering, berthing and return abilities by 2009 – a year before NASA has scheduled the conclusion of Space Shuttle operations. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd3061

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Steve Koehler, president of Space Florida, talks abo... more

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Space Exploration Technologies, talks about opportunity for both SpaceX and the 45th Space Wing that the new facility will provide. As part of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, competition, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 with a cargo-carrying payload on a series of three demonstration missions from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station, culminating with the delivery of supplies to the $100 billion dollar orbiting laboratory. SpaceX intends to demonstrate its launch, maneuvering, berthing and return abilities by 2009 – a year before NASA has scheduled the conclusion of Space Shuttle operations. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd3060

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At ground-breaking ceremonies for SpaceX's new Falcon 9 rocket launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Space Exploration Tech... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The upper part of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station falls to the ground after the base was demolished. The tall lightning towers around it will remain. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. The facilities at the pad are being dismantled to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-08pd1057

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The upper part of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station falls to the ground after the base was demolished. The tall lightni... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The tilt of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station signals the early stages of the tower’s implosion. The tall lightning towers around it will remain. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. The facilities at the pad are being dismantled to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-08pd1056

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The tilt of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station signals the early stages of the tower’s implosion. The tall lightning tow... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mobile service tower, or gantry, in the foreground at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, is scheduled for demolition. The tall lightning towers around it will remain. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. The facilities at the pad are being dismantled to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-08pd1054

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mobile service tower, or gantry, in the foreground at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, is scheduled for demolition. The tall lightning towers around it w... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Fire erupts beneath the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station signals the beginning of its demolition. The tall lightning towers around it will remain. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. The facilities at the pad are being dismantled to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-08pd1055

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Fire erupts beneath the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station signals the beginning of its demolition. The tall lightning towers... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The upper part of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station lies on the ground after implosion. The tall lightning towers around it remain. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. The facilities at the pad are being dismantled to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-08pd1059

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The upper part of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station lies on the ground after implosion. The tall lightning towers around... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station falls to the ground after the base was demolished. The tall lightning towers around it will remain. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. The facilities at the pad are being dismantled to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-08pd1058

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station falls to the ground after the base was demolished. The tall lightning towers around it... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Layers of twisted metal remain after demolition April 27 of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was imploded to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. The gantry was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1063

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Layers of twisted metal remain after demolition April 27 of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This mammoth structure, w... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This closeup reveals the layers of metal left after demolition April 27 of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was imploded to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. The gantry was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1062

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This closeup reveals the layers of metal left after demolition April 27 of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This mamm... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Twisted metal is all that’s left of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station after its demolition April 27. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was imploded to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. The gantry was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1061

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Twisted metal is all that’s left of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station after its demolition April 27. This mammoth struct... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Twisted metal is all that’s left of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station after its demolition April 27. This mammoth structure, with its cavernous clean room, was imploded to make room for the construction of launch pad access and servicing facilities for the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. The gantry was used for the final spacecraft launch preparations for NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, currently orbiting Saturn. The launch occurred on Oct. 15, 1997, aboard an Air Force Titan IV-Centaur rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1060

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Twisted metal is all that’s left of the mobile service tower, or gantry, at Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station after its demolition April 27. This mammoth structu... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The pad will be used to support the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-5790

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An aerial view of Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The pad will be used to support the new Falcon rockets to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies, kn... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4345

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4336

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4338

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2010-4330

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting o... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4337

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2010-4332

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting o... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4335

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4344

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2010-4331

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting o... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4334

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4339

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2010-4329

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting o... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4341

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2010-4333

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting o... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4343

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4340

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4342

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2010-4346

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket arrives at Launch Complex-40's horizontal processing hangar. Once assembled, it will be a tw... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. DragonEye is a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor that will be tested on Discovery's docking operation with the International Space Station. Discovery's STS-133 mission, targeted to launch Nov. 1, will be the second demonstration of the sensor, following shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission in 2009. The DragonEye sensor will guide SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it approaches and berths to the station on future cargo re-supply missions. The Dragon spacecraft is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft being developed by SpaceX, which is contracted by NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2010-4679

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space C... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. DragonEye is a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor that will be tested on Discovery's docking operation with the International Space Station. Discovery's STS-133 mission, targeted to launch Nov. 1, will be the second demonstration of the sensor, following shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission in 2009. The DragonEye sensor will guide SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it approaches and berths to the station on future cargo re-supply missions. The Dragon spacecraft is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft being developed by SpaceX, which is contracted by NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2010-4682

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space C... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. DragonEye is a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor that will be tested on Discovery's docking operation with the International Space Station. Discovery's STS-133 mission, targeted to launch Nov. 1, will be the second demonstration of the sensor, following shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission in 2009. The DragonEye sensor will guide SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it approaches and berths to the station on future cargo re-supply missions. The Dragon spacecraft is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft being developed by SpaceX, which is contracted by NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2010-4683

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space C... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. DragonEye is a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor that will be tested on Discovery's docking operation with the International Space Station. Discovery's STS-133 mission, targeted to launch Nov. 1, will be the second demonstration of the sensor, following shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission in 2009. The DragonEye sensor will guide SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it approaches and berths to the station on future cargo re-supply missions. The Dragon spacecraft is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft being developed by SpaceX, which is contracted by NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2010-4681

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space C... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is prepared for installation while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. DragonEye is a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor that will be tested on Discovery's docking operation with the International Space Station. Discovery's STS-133 mission, targeted to launch Nov. 1, will be the second demonstration of the sensor, following shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission in 2009. The DragonEye sensor will guide SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it approaches and berths to the station on future cargo re-supply missions. The Dragon spacecraft is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft being developed by SpaceX, which is contracted by NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2010-4677

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is prepared for installation while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. DragonEye is a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor that will be tested on Discovery's docking operation with the International Space Station. Discovery's STS-133 mission, targeted to launch Nov. 1, will be the second demonstration of the sensor, following shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission in 2009. The DragonEye sensor will guide SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it approaches and berths to the station on future cargo re-supply missions. The Dragon spacecraft is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft being developed by SpaceX, which is contracted by NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2010-4678

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space C... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. DragonEye is a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor that will be tested on Discovery's docking operation with the International Space Station. Discovery's STS-133 mission, targeted to launch Nov. 1, will be the second demonstration of the sensor, following shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 mission in 2009. The DragonEye sensor will guide SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it approaches and berths to the station on future cargo re-supply missions. The Dragon spacecraft is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft being developed by SpaceX, which is contracted by NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2010-4680

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A DragonEye proximity sensor developed by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is installed while space shuttle Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at NASA's Kennedy Space C... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX Vice President of Mission Assurance and Astronaut Safety Ken Bowersox addresses attendees of the American Astronautical Society's 2010 National Conference held at the Radisson Resort at the Port in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Also on stage (left to right) are, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator of Space Operations Mission Directorate Lynn Cline; NASA Program Integration Manager at Johnson Space Center, Jeff Arend; Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Services Program Director Therese Thrift and NASA Commercial Resupply Program Deputy Manager at Johnson Space Center Ford Dillon. This year's conference was titled: International Space Station: The Next Decade - Utilization and Research. The conference was organized with the support of Kennedy and sponsored by The Boeing Company, Honeywell International Inc., Northrop Grumman Corp., Space Florida and the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2010-5720

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX Vice President of Mission Assurance and Astronaut Safety Ken Bowersox addresses attendees of the American Astronautical Society's 2010 National Conference held at the Radisson Res... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket awaits a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in which all nine Merlin engines will fire at once. The engines use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust. After the test, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which will end after the engines fire at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5772

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket awaits a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in which all nine Merlin engines will fire at once. The engines use r... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted at T minus 1.1 seconds due to high engine chamber pressure. During the test, all nine Merlin engines, which use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust, are expected to fire at once. After the test, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which will end after the engines fire at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5770

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted at T minus 1.1 seconds due to high engine chamber pressure. Durin... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted at T minus 1.1 seconds due to high engine chamber pressure. During the test, all nine Merlin engines, which use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust, are expected to fire at once. After the test, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which will end after the engines fire at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5773

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted at T minus 1.1 seconds due to high engine chamber pressure. Durin... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted at T minus 1.1 seconds due to high engine chamber pressure. During the test, all nine Merlin engines, which use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust, are expected to fire at once. After the test, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which will end after the engines fire at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Rusty Backer KSC-2010-5769

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted at T minus 1.1 seconds due to high engine chamber pressure. Durin... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket awaits a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in which all nine Merlin engines will fire at once. The engines use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust. After the test, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which will end after the engines fire at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Rusty Backer KSC-2010-5768

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket awaits a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in which all nine Merlin engines will fire at once. The engines use r... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted at T minus 1.1 seconds due to high engine chamber pressure. During the test, all nine Merlin engines, which use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust, are expected to fire at once. After the test, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which will end after the engines fire at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5771

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted at T minus 1.1 seconds due to high engine chamber pressure. Durin... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, all nine Merlin engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fire at once. The engines use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust. After the test, SpaceX began to conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which ended after the engines fired at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5775

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, all nine Merlin engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fire at once. The engines use rocket-grade... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, all nine Merlin engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fire at once. The engines use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust. After the test, SpaceX began to conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which ended after the engines fired at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5776

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, all nine Merlin engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fire at once. The engines use rocket-grade... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, all nine Merlin engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fire at once. The engines use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust. After the test, SpaceX began to conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which ended after the engines fired at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5774

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, all nine Merlin engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fire at once. The engines use rocket-grade... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5797

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5794

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 10:43 a.m. EST. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Alan Ault KSC-2010-5790

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 10:43 a.m. EST. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demo... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 10:43 a.m. EST. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Alan Ault KSC-2010-5791

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 10:43 a.m. EST. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demo... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5792

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through ... more

The Dragon capsule that launched from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is recovered in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. The rocket lifted off at 10:43 a.m. EST. The spacecraft went through several maneuvers before it re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down at about 2 p.m. EST. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: Courtesy SpaceX COTS-1

The Dragon capsule that launched from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is recovered in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. The roc... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft race toward orbit after launching from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. The Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2010-5801

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft race toward orbit after launching from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. The Dragon capsule w... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5796

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5795

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Dragon capsule that launched from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is recovered in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. The rocket lifted off at 10:43 a.m. EST. The spacecraft went through several maneuvers before it re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down at about 2 p.m. EST. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: Courtesy SpaceX KSC-2010-5802

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Dragon capsule that launched from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is recovered in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft race toward orbit after launching from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. The Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5800

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft race toward orbit after launching from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. The Dragon capsule w... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5798

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5799

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through several maneuvers before it re-enters the atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. This is first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell KSC-2010-5793

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:43 a.m. EST. In orbit, the Dragon capsule will go through ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX COTS-2 Falcon 9 rocket is being moved into a SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3181

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX COTS-2 Falcon 9 rocket is being moved into a SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX COTS-2 Falcon 9 rocket is being moved into a SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3178

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX COTS-2 Falcon 9 rocket is being moved into a SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX COTS-2 Falcon 9 rocket has been moved to a SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-stage fully integrated launch vehicle, consisting of a first stage powered by nine SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C engines, a second stage, an interstage, an unpressurized trunk and the Dragon spacecraft qualification unit. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. A subsequent contract for Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS, was awarded in late 2008 to resupply the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3182

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of the SpaceX COTS-2 Falcon 9 rocket has been moved to a SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once assembled, it will be a two-... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The forward end of the first stage of a Falcon 9 rocket as the stage sits on processing stands inside the Space Exploration Technologies (SpaecX) hangar at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Technicians are preparing the rocket for the second launch in the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program to demonstrate private companies' ability to launch uncrewed spacecraft into orbit. A follow-on contract, Commercial Resupply Services, calls for SpaceX to launch 12 resupply missions to the International Space Station between 2011 and 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3305

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The forward end of the first stage of a Falcon 9 rocket as the stage sits on processing stands inside the Space Exploration Technologies (SpaecX) hangar at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Cana... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage and interstage components of a Falcon 9 rocket sit on adjacent processing stands in the Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) hangar at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Technicians are preparing the rocket for the second launch in the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program to demonstrate private companies' ability to launch uncrewed spacecraft into orbit. A follow-on contract, Commercial Resupply Services, calls for SpaceX to launch 12 resupply missions to the International Space Station between 2011 and 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3306

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage and interstage components of a Falcon 9 rocket sit on adjacent processing stands in the Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) hangar at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canave... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of a Falcon 9 built by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) sits on processing stands inside the company's hangar at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image shows the nine Merlin engines that power the first stage. Technicians are preparing the rocket for the second launch in the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program to demonstrate private companies' ability to launch uncrewed spacecraft into orbit. A follow-on contract, Commercial Resupply Services, calls for SpaceX to launch 12 resupply missions to the International Space Station between 2011 and 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3304

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first stage of a Falcon 9 built by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) sits on processing stands inside the company's hangar at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Stat... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians work with processing hardware for the Falcon 9 rocket in the Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) hangar at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Technicians are preparing the rocket for the second launch in the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program to demonstrate private companies' ability to launch uncrewed spacecraft into orbit. A follow-on contract, Commercial Resupply Services, calls for SpaceX to launch 12 resupply missions to the International Space Station between 2011 and 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2011-3307

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Technicians work with processing hardware for the Falcon 9 rocket in the Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) hangar at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florid... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Several different types of 21-day-old plants grow in analog VEGGIE pillows include, from right, Outredgeous red romaine lettuce, Bright Lights Swiss chard, Cherry Bomb II radish, Tokyo Bekana Chinese cabbage and Sugar Pod II snow pea. U.S. astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station are going to receive a newly developed Vegetable Production System VEGGIE. VEGGIE is set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule on NASA's third Commercial Resupply Services mission targeted to launch Dec. 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Gioia Massa KSC-2013-3564

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Several different types of 21-day-old plants grow in analog VEGGIE pillows include, from right, Outredgeous red romaine lettuce, Bright Lights Swiss chard, Cherry Bomb II radish, Tokyo Be... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This prototype VEGGIE hardware was designed and built by Orbital Technologies Corp. of Madison, Wisc. U.S. astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station are going to receive a newly developed Vegetable Production System VEGGIE. VEGGIE is set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule on NASA's third Commercial Resupply Services mission targeted to launch Dec. 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Gioia Massa KSC-2013-3562

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This prototype VEGGIE hardware was designed and built by Orbital Technologies Corp. of Madison, Wisc. U.S. astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station are ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, displays a mock-up of its Dragon capsule during a media tour at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 2010, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from CCAFS's Launch Complex 40. The Dragon capsule went through several maneuvers before it re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. That was the first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. The company is preparing for another launch in late 2011, in which the Dragon spacecraft and trunk will fly close to the space station so the station’s robotic arm can grab the spacecraft and bring it in for a docking. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-5107

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, displays a mock-up of its Dragon capsule during a media tour at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 20... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, opens its doors for a media tour of its Launch Control Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 2010, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from CCAFS's Launch Complex 40. The Dragon capsule went through several maneuvers before it re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. That was the first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. The company is preparing for another launch in late 2011, in which the Dragon spacecraft and trunk will fly close to the space station so the station’s robotic arm can grab the spacecraft and bring it in for a docking. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-5103

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, opens its doors for a media tour of its Launch Control Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 2... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, displays a mock-up of its Dragon capsule during a media tour at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 2010, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from CCAFS's Launch Complex 40. The Dragon capsule went through several maneuvers before it re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. That was the first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. The company is preparing for another launch in late 2011, in which the Dragon spacecraft and trunk will fly close to the space station so the station’s robotic arm can grab the spacecraft and bring it in for a docking. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-5108

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, displays a mock-up of its Dragon capsule during a media tour at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 20... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, displays a mock-up of its Dragon capsule during a media tour at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 2010, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from CCAFS's Launch Complex 40. The Dragon capsule went through several maneuvers before it re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. That was the first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. The company is preparing for another launch in late 2011, in which the Dragon spacecraft and trunk will fly close to the space station so the station’s robotic arm can grab the spacecraft and bring it in for a docking. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-5106

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, displays a mock-up of its Dragon capsule during a media tour at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 20... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, shows off its Launch Control Center during a media tour at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 2010, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from CCAFS's Launch Complex 40. The Dragon capsule went through several maneuvers before it re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of the coast of Mexico. That was the first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which will provide cargo flights to the International Space Station in the future. The company is preparing for another launch in late 2011, in which the Dragon spacecraft and trunk will fly close to the space station so the station’s robotic arm can grab the spacecraft and bring it in for a docking. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin KSC-2011-5105

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, shows off its Launch Control Center during a media tour at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or CCAFS, in Florida. In December 2010, S... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second stage for the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket is delivered to the SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket will launch a second Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C2, in late 2011. The mission will demonstrate proximity operations during an approach within six miles of the International Space Station. The company is building the Dragon to fly on resupply missions to the station. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The SpaceX contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-5600

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second stage for the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket is delivered to the SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second stage for the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket is transported to the SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket will launch a second Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C2, in late 2011. The mission will demonstrate proximity operations during an approach within six miles of the International Space Station. The company is building the Dragon to fly on resupply missions to the station. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The SpaceX contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-5599

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second stage for the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket is transported to the SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second stage for the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket is transported to the SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket will launch a second Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C2, in late 2011. The mission will demonstrate proximity operations during an approach within six miles of the International Space Station. The company is building the Dragon to fly on resupply missions to the station. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The SpaceX contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-5598

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second stage for the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket is transported to the SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second stage for the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket is delivered to the SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket will launch a second Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C2, in late 2011. The mission will demonstrate proximity operations during an approach within six miles of the International Space Station. The company is building the Dragon to fly on resupply missions to the station. SpaceX was awarded procurement for three demonstration flights under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The SpaceX contract provides for 12 missions to resupply the station from 2011 through 2015. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-5602

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second stage for the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket is delivered to the SpaceX hangar at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. ... more

A truck brings the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Space Launch Complex-40 for the company's next demonstration test flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX is one of two companies under contract with NASA to take cargo to the International Space Station. NASA is working with SpaceX to combine its last two demonstration flights, and if approved, the Falcon 9 rocket would launch the Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory for a docking within the next several months. Photo credit: NASA/ Charisse Nahser KSC-2011-7521

A truck brings the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rock... more

Workers lower the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Space Launch Complex-40 for the company's next demonstration test flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX is one of two companies under contract with NASA to take cargo to the International Space Station. NASA is working with SpaceX to combine its last two demonstration flights, and if approved, the Falcon 9 rocket would launch the Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory for a docking within the next several months. Photo credit: NASA/ Charisse Nahser KSC-2011-7527

Workers lower the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocke... more

Workers lift the transportation canister away from the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Space Launch Complex-40 for the company's next demonstration test flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX is one of two companies under contract with NASA to take cargo to the International Space Station. NASA is working with SpaceX to combine its last two demonstration flights, and if approved, the Falcon 9 rocket would launch the Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory for a docking within the next several months. Photo credit: NASA/ Charisse Nahser KSC-2011-7525

Workers lift the transportation canister away from the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and at... more

Workers unwrap the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule inside a building at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Space Launch Complex-40 for the company's next demonstration test flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX is one of two companies under contract with NASA to take cargo to the International Space Station. NASA is working with SpaceX to combine its last two demonstration flights, and if approved, the Falcon 9 rocket would launch the Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory for a docking within the next several months. Photo credit: NASA/ Charisse Nahser KSC-2011-7528

Workers unwrap the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule inside a building at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top ... more

A truck carries the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Space Launch Complex-40 for the company's next demonstration test flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX is one of two companies under contract with NASA to take cargo to the International Space Station. NASA is working with SpaceX to combine its last two demonstration flights, and if approved, the Falcon 9 rocket would launch the Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory for a docking within the next several months. Photo credit: NASA/ Charisse Nahser KSC-2011-7522

A truck carries the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 roc... more

A truck carries the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Space Launch Complex-40 for the company's next demonstration test flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX is one of two companies under contract with NASA to take cargo to the International Space Station. NASA is working with SpaceX to combine its last two demonstration flights, and if approved, the Falcon 9 rocket would launch the Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory for a docking within the next several months. Photo credit: NASA/ Charisse Nahser KSC-2011-7523

A truck carries the latest Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 23 so it can be processed and attached to the top of a Falcon 9 roc... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule is placed atop its cargo ring inside a processing hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Nov. 16. Later, the combination will be attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Space Launch Complex-40 for the company's next demonstration test flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX is one of two companies under contract with NASA to take cargo to the International Space Station. NASA is working with SpaceX to combine its last two demonstration flights, and if approved, the Falcon 9 rocket would launch the Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory for a docking within the next several months. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-7854

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule is placed atop its cargo ring inside a processing hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Nov. 16. Later... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule is readied for lifting and placement to its cargo ring inside a processing hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Nov. 16. Later, the combination will be attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Space Launch Complex-40 for the company's next demonstration test flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX is one of two companies under contract with NASA to take cargo to the International Space Station. NASA is working with SpaceX to combine its last two demonstration flights, and if approved, the Falcon 9 rocket would launch the Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory for a docking within the next several months. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-7852

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule is readied for lifting and placement to its cargo ring inside a processing hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule is lifted to be placed atop its cargo ring inside a processing hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Nov. 16. Later, the combination will be attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket on Space Launch Complex-40 for the company's next demonstration test flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. SpaceX is one of two companies under contract with NASA to take cargo to the International Space Station. NASA is working with SpaceX to combine its last two demonstration flights, and if approved, the Falcon 9 rocket would launch the Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory for a docking within the next several months. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-8274

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon capsule is lifted to be placed atop its cargo ring inside a processing hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on N... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Chuck Hardison, the production and ground operations manager of The Boeing Co.'s Commercial Crew Transportation System, talks to media about plans to take NASA astronauts to the International Space Station in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 (OPF-3) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Boeing is maturing its CST-100 spacecraft design for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) under the Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities. Boeing's current design shows the CST-100 taking up to seven astronauts and cargo to the space station or other low Earth orbit destinations by the middle of the decade. Through an agreement with NASA and Space Florida, Boeing is leasing OPF-3, the Processing Control Facility (PCC) and Space Shuttle Main Engine Shop at Kennedy to design, manufacture, process and integrate the CST-100. This work is expected to generate up to 550 engineering and technical jobs for Florida's Space Coast. Hardison explained that the CST-100 will be manufactured using a spin-form technology, which is expected to bring down the cost and safety concerns of a traditional welded spacecraft. It's innovations such as this that CCP hopes will drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before. Seven aerospace companies are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) of Promontory, Utah, Blue Origin of Kent, Wash., The Boeing Co., of Houston, Excalibur Almaz Inc. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. of Louisville, Colo., Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., and United Launch Alliance (ULA) of Centennial, Colo. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial Photo credit: Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-7884

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Chuck Hardison, the production and ground operations manager of The Boeing Co.'s Commercial Crew Transportation System, talks to media about plans to take NASA astronauts to the Internat... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP), updates media on the progress of Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities in which seven aerospace companies are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft systems designed to take astronauts to the International Space Station. The goal of the program is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Seven aerospace companies are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) of Promontory, Utah, Blue Origin of Kent, Wash., The Boeing Co., of Houston, Excalibur Almaz Inc. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. of Louisville, Colo., Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., and United Launch Alliance (ULA) of Centennial, Colo. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial Photo credit: Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-7882

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP), updates media on the progress of Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities in which seven aerospace comp... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP), updates media on the progress of Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities in which seven aerospace companies are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft systems designed to take astronauts to the International Space Station. The goal of the program is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Seven aerospace companies are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) of Promontory, Utah, Blue Origin of Kent, Wash., The Boeing Co., of Houston, Excalibur Almaz Inc. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. of Louisville, Colo., Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., and United Launch Alliance (ULA) of Centennial, Colo. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial Photo credit: Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-7881

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP), updates media on the progress of Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities in which seven aerospace comp... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The pressurized vessel of The Boeing Co.'s Commercial Crew Transportation System, which could take NASA astronauts to the International Space Station, is on display in Orbiter Processing Facility-3 (OPF-3) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Boeing is maturing its CST-100 spacecraft design for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) under the Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities. Boeing's current design shows the CST-100 taking up to seven astronauts and cargo to the space station or other low Earth orbit destinations by the middle of the decade. Through an agreement with NASA and Space Florida, Boeing is leasing OPF-3, the Processing Control Facility (PCC) and Space Shuttle Main Engine Shop at Kennedy to design, manufacture, process and integrate the CST-100. This work is expected to generate up to 550 engineering and technical jobs for Florida's Space Coast. Chuck Hardison, Boeing's production and ground operations manager, explained that the CST-100 will be manufactured using a spin-form technology, which is expected to bring down the cost and safety concerns of a traditional welded spacecraft. It's innovations such as this that CCP hopes will drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before. Seven aerospace companies are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) of Promontory, Utah, Blue Origin of Kent, Wash., The Boeing Co., of Houston, Excalibur Almaz Inc. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. of Louisville, Colo., Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., and United Launch Alliance (ULA) of Centennial, Colo. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial Photo credit: Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-7883

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The pressurized vessel of The Boeing Co.'s Commercial Crew Transportation System, which could take NASA astronauts to the International Space Station, is on display in Orbiter Processing... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media learn about the plans Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) has to take NASA astronauts to the International Space Station at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. SpaceX is working to make its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule safe for humans for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) under the Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities. SpaceX already is developing these systems under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation System (COTS) Program to take supplies to the space station. Scott Henderson, director of SpaceX mission assurance, explained that the company is drafting designs to make the Dragon capsule crew-capable with life support systems while meeting CCP's safety requirements. One such option under discussion is a launch abort system that would push astronauts away from the launch pad in the event of an emergency, which is different than traditional pull systems. It's the freedom to develop innovative solutions such as this that CCP hopes will drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before. CCP, which is based at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, partnered with seven aerospace companies to mature launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) of Promontory, Utah, Blue Origin of Kent, Wash., The Boeing Co., of Houston, Excalibur Almaz Inc. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. of Louisville, Colo., Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., and United Launch Alliance (ULA) of Centennial, Colo. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial Photo credit: Jim Grossmann KSC-2011-7885

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Media learn about the plans Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) has to take NASA astronauts to the International Space Station at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air ... more

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of the Dragon capsule under development by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP). In 2011, NASA selected SpaceX during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK), The Boeing Co., Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, and United Launch Alliance (ULA). For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Space Exploration Technologies KSC-2011-8117

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of the Dragon capsule under development by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP). In 2011,... more