Self-styled “experts” have been predicting it for decades, but the fact of the matter is that the ultimate private jet charter may be just around the corner. Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX for short) recently launched a Falcon 9 rocket from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida. This flight represents a test flight for what will one day be commercially-available space flight.
That’s right. Space flight. You know, that thing you’ve been waiting for since you were just a little kid, dreaming of your chance to go to the moon.
The rocket uses nine first-stage engines to propel the capsule into the air. They burn for right around three minutes, after which they drop off into the ocean and the second-stage engines kick in. Those second-stage engines burn for around six minutes, and propel the vessel the rest of the way into orbit.
The success of this flight has created quite a bit of chatter, even in politics. President Obama has proposed that we turn the launching of American astronauts over to private companies. Had the flight not gone well, that proposal might have been completely tabled.
Opponents don’t agree. They argue that commercial space programs can’t compensate for the gap in human spaceflight, especially with the retirement of the space shuttle program. The administration proposes canceling a follow-up program to the space shuttle program, as well.
Some politicians and other pundits argue that these kinds of commercial rocket flights should be complimentary to NASA programs.
Whether or not NASA’s human space flight programs remain intact will be seen. However, the fact that there’s been discussion signals that a private program, like this one, may be the best option for the country in the long run.
The company intends to launch another Falcon 9 rocket this summer, prior to demonstrating its capabilities to NASA. The flights will prepare the rocket to take supplies to the International Space Station, as well.
Photo via ryaninc
