SpaceX to fly to International Space Station end of November

Washington Post ^ | 08/15/11

[KevinDavis]

HAWTHORNE, Calif. — SpaceX’s next mission is to the International Space Station.

The Hawthorne, Calif.-based private rocket maker said Monday its Dragon capsule will launch on Nov. 30 on a cargo test run to the orbiting outpost. SpaceX said the launch will be followed by a station docking more than a week later.

[RayChuang88]

Actually, SpaceX is about to start tests on the Dragon capsule launch escape system that can work from the launch pad all the way up to near orbit. Integrated directly into the capsule (since the escape thrusters use same fuel tanks used by the orbital thrusters), it means the Dragon capsule doesn’t need a separate, heavy launch escape system like the current Soyuz capsule needs.

[Talisker]

Not sure so private, looked at a job posting for them and they request an Active TS/SCI clearance...

That's because of the need to witness UFOs.

[dalereed]

“When I was a kid, early 60’s we all knew we would be astronauts and space travel would be like owning your own airplane.”

i’ve owned my own airplane and never even considered space travel!

I haven’t heard of anything in space I would want to see or go to!

[Young Werther]

Judy, Judy, Judy thats one set of cones!

Of course they al were hot rockets!

[ArrogantBustard]

Screw you, Obama. We are back in the space business

Zero is certainly welcome to fsck himself, but we're not back in the space business until this thing actually works.

[KevinDavis]

I’m aware of that..

[usconservative]

Just shame on all those millionaires and billionaires that made this happen! How dare they spend their own wealth in this way! Obama's going to have to seize their money and profits from them and re-distribute it accordingly.

Gawd I hope this post doesn't need a /humor tag..

[SuziQ]

Kewl!