Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has begun engine testing for its Falcon 9 heavy-lift launch vehicle even as it works to get its first Falcon 1 booster flying. Test-stand firings of the SpaceX-developed Merlin liquid-oxygen/kerosene engine for the Falcon 9 have been under way for a couple of weeks, and are “proceeding smoothly”, says vice-president business development Gwynne Shotwell.

Falcon 9 enginesW445
SpaceX

 Above: Falcon 9's nine first stage engines shown
First launch of the Falcon 9 is planned for the second quarter of 2008, carrying an unidentified US government payload, and SpaceX has six launches manifested, including three under the company’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services demonstration contract with NASA.

Shotwell says the Falcon 9 thrust frame has been qualified, the first-stage tank is nearly complete, the first payload fairing section will be ready soon and the second-stage Merlin engine is in development. The first tank will be used as the run tank for propulsion testing, she says.

Falcon 9s are manifested for launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida or the Pacific island of Omelek in the Kwajalein Atoll.

SpaceX aborted its second demonstration flight attempt for its Falcon 1 rocket from Omelek on 19 March and will try again from 0900h 21 March local time, which is 2300h GMT on 20 March.

Source: FlightGlobal.com

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