NASA has given Californian company Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) preliminary design review approval for the first orbital demonstration of its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon reusable spacecraft, planned for September 2008. The critical design review (CDR) is set for this year's third quarter.
SpaceX's competitor in NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services programme, Rocketplane Kistler, has also completed a system requirements review for interfaces between its two-stage K-1 reusable cargo transport system and the International Space Station. K-1's first and second stages are to be assembled at NASA's Michoud, New Orleans facility. The companies want to offer delivery services for the ISS in the future.
SpaceX's competitor in NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services programme, Rocketplane Kistler, has also completed a system requirements review for interfaces between its two-stage K-1 reusable cargo transport system and the International Space Station. K-1's first and second stages are to be assembled at NASA's Michoud, New Orleans facility. The companies want to offer delivery services for the ISS in the future.
Source: Flight International
