Tag: McGregor

SpaceX Completes Full Length Test

SpaceX Completes Full Length Test

SpaceX has completed a full length mission test burn of the Falcon 9 V1.1 first stage at its rocket development facility in McGregor, Tx.  This most recent test, which according to the Waco Trib took  place at approximately 7:41 p.m.  Sunday evening, was confirmed by twitter post from Elon Musk, who congratulated his team for overcoming a number of difficulties.  […]

Falcon 9-R Completes First Long Duration Firing

Falcon 9-R Completes First Long Duration Firing

If you’ve ever been to Key West, you probably visited Mallory Square docks around sunset to look for the elusive “Green Flash” on the western horizon. It is a beautiful sight to be sure, but for space exploration enthusiasts, it perhaps pales in comparison to another green flash, that emitted by the tea-tab ignition which marks the […]

SpaceX Qualifies Merlin 1D for Flight (with Video)

SpaceX Qualifies Merlin 1D for Flight (with Video)

SpaceX announced yesterday that the company has completed engine flight qualification the Merlin 1D engine. If SpaceX follows prior precedent with the Merlin 1C, the next step should be a buildup of multiple engine testing leading to a full length mission firing of the Falcon 9v1.1 first stage. Also presumably on the to do list, qualification […]

Santa or SpaceX?  Well if it’s a Reusable Launch Vehicle You Want….

Santa or SpaceX? Well if it’s a Reusable Launch Vehicle You Want….

If for some reason you weren’t looking forward to next year,  here is a reason to reconsider. This video comes from a December 17th test flight of the SpaceX Grasshopper reusable test vehicle conducted at the company’s McGregor, Tx rocket development facility.  Propelled by a Merlin 1D engine using deep throttling capability and closed loop vector control, the craft […]

Two Views of the Grasshopper

Two Views of the Grasshopper

These two shots give a good sense of the scale of the SpaceX VTVL Grasshopper test vehicle. The first was taken from the top of the McGregor development facility’s 280 ‘ water tower,  and tweeted by Elon Musk.  The second, close up-shot was posted on the company’s Google Plus page, and gives a good look at the very robust construction […]

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