Crew Dragon Test Fire
SpaceX just completed a test fire of the Falcon 9 rocket that will hopefully launch the space company's futuristic Crew Dragon spacecraft into space.
If all goes well — SpaceX still has a number of tests planned — it could be the first time astronauts launch into space from American soil since the Space Shuttle's last trip back in 2011.
Static fire test complete—targeting February launch from historic Launch Complex 39A for Crew Dragon’s first demonstration flight! pic.twitter.com/sJF24U3UOM
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 25, 2019
The rocket in question stood proud at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral yesterday. All nine first-stage engines were briefly ignited.
Dragon Breath
In a joyous and emoji-laden tweet, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk promised that the first astronauts could be going to the International Space Station as soon as this summer — that is, if February's test flight goes according to plan.
It's an important first step, and if the 21 successful Falcon 9 launches in 2018 alone are anything to go by, chances are pretty good that SpaceX can pull this off.
Higher Stakes
Rather than only carrying cargo and scientific experiments aboard an otherwise empty Dragon spacecraft, human lives are at stake this time around.
SpaceX plans to run an in-flight abort test before it allows any astronauts inside the Crew Dragon.
READ MORE: SpaceX Test Fires Rocket for 1st Crew Dragon Launch in February [Space.com]
More on Crew Dragon: SpaceX's Crew Dragon Goes Vertical for First Test Launch
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