SpaceX test fires rocket ahead of ISS cargo launch

Yahoo News ^ | 04/30/12

[KevinDavis]

SpaceX on Monday successfully test-fired its Falcon 9 rocket in a dress rehearsal for the May 7 launch of its Dragon spacecraft on a cargo-bearing mission to the International Space Station.

The test, known as a static fire of the rocket's nine main engines, lasted just two seconds, but allowed engineers to "run through all countdown processes as though it were launch day," SpaceX said on its website.

[markman46]

OK George roll over and go back to sleep

[Regulator]

Why is SpaceX doing this and not NASA?

What's wrong with SpaceX building a business?

The COTS 2 launch is being paid for by NASA, i.e., the taxpayers.

Happy now? It's a government initiative? Only government people get to go to space, the rest of us are earth bound schmucks?

Elon Musk risked hundreds of millions of his own money to build Falcon. So far they have succeeded beyond anyone's dreams. What's your problem with that?

[dragnet2]

Why is SpaceX doing this and not NASA? Perhaps the feelings of nationalism or patriotism is less when a private enterprise does launches? There has to be some reason Obama has all but killed NASA. I'm thinkin' there's a certain psychology in play here that benefits the progressives ultimate goal of killing American patriotism. Would be nice to see 'UNITED STATES' on this thing or a BIG American flag.. Oh that's right, it's SpaceX.

The American flag is right there.

A picture of the COTS 2 Falcon 9 rocket at the SpaceX hangar

[GlockThe Vote]

Personally, the idea of privatized space exploration is very appealing to me.

[PA Engineer]

Ditto.

[dragnet2]

Would be nice to see 'UNITED STATES' on this thing or a BIG American flag.. Oh that's right, it's SpaceX..

[wastedyears]

Privatized space-based businesses could be huge; not only in salary, but also what it could bring to us. I believe the space age hasn’t even started, but with individual initiative (and a lot of money), it could really take off if the red tape is cut down.

[kosciusko51]

Look up at the pictures: it does have an American flag

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

I think it's great what SpaceX is doing, let there be no doubt.. However, I just think that NASA was killed by Obama intentionally because so goes with it the history, the 'Apollo' stigma of patriotism and nationalism.. Obama wanted to wipe that chapter of our history OUT, starting new and fresh with more 'neutral' feelings with SpaceX; A private company open for business to the world.

"Houston, we have a problem".. Yeah, a REAL problem. They didn't get a Shuttle either and this was also a direct snub to 'Space City' for the same reason that Obama crushed NASA; The burying of our patriotic past.