Dragon is in orbit!

[pokerfan]

:bounce:



SpaceX's webcast shows a rocket's-eye view of the Falcon 9 rocket's second-stage nozzle, with Earth and space beyond.

Alan Boyle writes:About nine minutes after the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, ground controllers reported that a potential capsule-sized replacement for the space shuttle had reached orbit safely with nary a problem.

"Dragon is in orbit," SpaceX mission control announced.

The rise to orbit served as a test run for future resupply flights to the International Space Station. Before today's launch, SpaceX's millionaire founder, Elon Musk, observed that a successful ascent would demonstrate that the Dragon could reach the space station, even if it didn't later re-enter the atmosphere and make its scheduled splashdown in the Pacific.

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/12/08/5611691-spacex-success-dragon-is-in-orbit

[gateley]

1. Woo Hoo! Thanks for this! I'm on their mailing list but my mailbox is overflowing

with unchecked messages, so I appreciate this!

:bounce:

[phantom power]

2. Go spacex!

:woohoo:

[Phoonzang]

3. I wonder when SpaceX stock will be publically traded.

It would be a good idea to jump on that gravy train early.

[Ready4Change]

4. Good step.

I hope many more follow. ISS needs alternative delivery methods.

[bananas]

5. Yay!!!

edit to add: Docking equipment has already been placed on the ISS.