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Elon Musk says the next Falcon 9 launch, the COTS 1 flight for NASA, will take place "sometime this summer."
COTS flights 1-3 are to test a fully configured Dragon for approaches, and eventual docking with, the ISS for cargo resupply - a mission similar to the Russian Progress but with lots more cargo and the ability to return to Earth.
COTS 1 is a systems test that won't approach ISS. COTS 2 and 3 will approach ISS with the latter docking, at least that was the old plan. There has been talk of compressing the COTS schedule so that if COTS 2 approaches and looks nominal it'll dock and COTS 3 would become a full, first cargo mission.
The COTS 1 bird and Dragon are in Texas undergoing tests before being shipped to the KSC. COTS 2 is in Hawthorne, California being assembled. COTS 3 and its Dragon are still being manufactured.
Yes, there are Falcon 9 and Dragon production lines. Necessary because they already have almost 30 manifested flights, and today's success is going to make that list even longer.
And as if that wasn't enough, at today's post-launch presser this was announced:
So it will be capable of either water or land touchdowns.
and:
SpaceX and NASA are in negotiations for a joint Super-Heavy Lifter project.
sheeshhhh......
COTS flights 1-3 are to test a fully configured Dragon for approaches, and eventual docking with, the ISS for cargo resupply - a mission similar to the Russian Progress but with lots more cargo and the ability to return to Earth.
COTS 1 is a systems test that won't approach ISS. COTS 2 and 3 will approach ISS with the latter docking, at least that was the old plan. There has been talk of compressing the COTS schedule so that if COTS 2 approaches and looks nominal it'll dock and COTS 3 would become a full, first cargo mission.
The COTS 1 bird and Dragon are in Texas undergoing tests before being shipped to the KSC. COTS 2 is in Hawthorne, California being assembled. COTS 3 and its Dragon are still being manufactured.
Yes, there are Falcon 9 and Dragon production lines. Necessary because they already have almost 30 manifested flights, and today's success is going to make that list even longer.
And as if that wasn't enough, at today's post-launch presser this was announced:
Musk says the long-term plan is to use the integrated abort engine system on Dragon Crew for propulsive soft landings on dry ground.
and:
SpaceX and NASA are in negotiations for a joint Super-Heavy Lifter project.
sheeshhhh......