SpaceX Completes NASA Review for Berthing at International Space Station
12/28/07 – Hawthorne-based SpaceX, the developer of space launch vehicles, has announced the completion of the Systems Requirements Review, or SRR, for what will be the third demonstration of the company’s Falcon 9/Dragon spacecraft under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, program. The company says that NASA representatives attended the event, which was held on the first day of regular business operations at SpaceX’s new headquarters in Hawthorne. The company previously operated out of El Segundo.
Under COTS, SpaceX says it is conducting three Falcon 9/Dragon flights, demonstrating the ability to approach, berth, and ultimately deliver cargo to the $100 billion International Space Station, and return cargo to Earth. On the third demonstration, the Dragon spacecraft will approach the ISS, hold its position nearby, and, according to the SpaceX plan, a robotic arm on the station will capture Dragon and guide it to a berthing port.
SpaceX was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, who also founded PayPal and the Zip2 Corporation. As part of the COTS program, SpaceX was awarded a contract by NASA to demonstrate delivery and return of cargo to the International Space Station. The company says it intends to demonstrate its launch, maneuvering and docking abilities by 2009—a year before NASA has scheduled the conclusion of Space Shuttle operations.
SpaceX – www.spacex.com
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