First commercial orbiting spacecraft

Platapus · 12-08-10, 08:36 PM

Most cooleo.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/08/spa...ex.html?hpt=T2

A space-age first: A commercial craft returns from low-Earth orbit

Quote:

The first commercial spacecraft to return from a low-Earth orbit splashed into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday about 500 miles off the coast of Southern California.

The Dragon, a craft developed by the company SpaceX, was concluding a brief but possibly historic flight for the infant commercial space travel industry.

The vehicle hit the water shortly after 2 p.m. ET, a little more than three hours after liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida atop a Falcon 9 rocket.

Before splashing down, the Dragon orbited earth at more than 17,000 mph.

Only six nations or government agencies have recovered a spacecraft from a low orbit: the United States, Russia, China, Japan, India and the European Space Agency.

...

Sounds like it made a little more than two orbits.

Just. plain. cool.

12-08-10, 08:40 PM

Awesome!

Gerald · 12-08-10, 08:46 PM

Excellent,

papa_smurf · 12-09-10, 11:15 AM

Wont be long before spaceports become as common as airports

Jimbuna · 12-09-10, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa_smurf

Wont be long before spaceports become as common as airports

Too far off for us to witness I should think

SteamWake · 12-09-10, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa_smurf

Wont be long before spaceports become as common as airports

I am still waiting on a flying car

papa_smurf · 12-09-10, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Too far off for us to witness I should think

Might not be for me, i'm hoping to be still around when the first manned mission to Mars is launched.

12-08-10, 08:46 PM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Excellent, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

12-09-10, 11:15 AM	#4
papa_smurf Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2,851 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Wont be long before spaceports become as common as airports __________________

12-08-10, 08:40 PM	#2
Solace Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Awesome!