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SpaceX 'Dragon' capsule reaches International Space Station

From Kim Segal, CNN

"Thruster Problem Forces SpaceX to Reschedule ISS Docking - By Jason Paur 03.01.13 6:25 PM
An anomaly with the thrusters aboard its Dragon spacecraft caused SpaceX to miss a scheduled burn to adjust the capsule orbit on Friday, causing SpaceX to delay by at least 24 hours Saturday’s planned rendezvous with the International Space Station."

March 3, 2013 -- Updated 1435 GMT (2235 HKT)

Watch this video SpaceX capsule rendezvous with ISS .. [youtube of embedded video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aaTISkNupY

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

* The International Space Station has captured the SpaceX's Dragon capsule
* The unmanned Dragon is carrying more than 1,200 pounds of supplies
* It suffered a temporary glitch with its thrusters after it launched into orbit

(CNN) -- After a technical hiccup .. http://lightyears.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/01/spacex-launches-supply-capsule-to-international-space-station/ , SpaceX's Dragon cargo capsule reached the International Space Station on Sunday.

The unmanned Dragon is carrying more than 1,200 pounds of supplies for the crew and the crew's experiments. The station's robotic arm captured the Dragon at 5:31 a.m. ET, NASA said.

The arm will guide the supply capsule into the station, and the Dragon completed the attachment at 8:56 a.m. ET, SpaceX said in a post on its Twitter account.

The Dragon suffered a temporary glitch with its thrusters after it launched into orbit Friday from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Shortly after the capsule separated from its rocket, SpaceX determined three of the capsule's four thruster pods -- which it would use to reach the station -- weren't operating. The problem appeared to be "an issue with a propellant valve," SpaceX spokeswoman Christina Ra said.

The company said the problem appeared to be fixed by Friday afternoon.

"Thruster pods one through four are now operating nominally. Preparing to raise orbit. All systems green," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted on Twitter Friday afternoon ..

Thruster pods one through four are now operating nominally. Preparing to raise orbit. All systems green.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 1, 2013

.

The supply mission is SpaceX's second of a planned 12 under a contract with NASA.

SpaceX became the first private company to deliver supplies to the station on NASA's behalf in October.

NASA chose SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle and the Dragon spacecraft to resupply the space station in 2008. The space agency has retired its fleet of space shuttles and plans to turn much of its focus toward exploring deep into the solar system.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/03/us/spacex-launch

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SpaceX 'Grasshopper' Rocket Hops Sideways In Dramatic New Test Flight (VIDEO)

Space.com | By Megan Gannon Posted: 08/15/2013 8:44 am EDT

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8eUAeWAdgI ]

An experimental reusable rocket built by the private spaceflight company SpaceX has soared though a series of ever-higher test

[ insert .. SpaceX Grasshopper Reaches Highest Flight Yet As Rocket Prototype 'Jumps' 1,066 Feet
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=89782133 .. the first reply to the one this replies, too ]

flights over its Texas launch site, but it may have just taken its most awesome leap yet: a sideways rocket hop.

Nicknamed Grasshopper, the rocket prototype successfully performed a sideways "divert" test yesterday (Aug. 13) at SpaceX's proving grounds in McGregor, Texas. SpaceX released an amazing video of the sideways Grasshopper rocket flight today (Aug. 14).

more .. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/15/spacex-grasshopper-rocket-sideways-test-flight-video_n_3760904.html

.. this post was prompted by this one .. one bit ..

O.K. ... is there or what is the connection between Nikola Tesla and Elon Musk? .. IF there is one .. well, ALL I can say is this .. they BOTH GAVE earth shattering concepts away ... And the name Tesla is in both of their lives Prominently .. and yes Elon is STILL doing it, giving technology away for free ! ... I can't find a 'family' connection although I have only looked at one wiki page ... however, I did find this (forgive me, but I just have to put in a few more wonderful things about Elon Musk ___Musk joined The Giving Pledge in April 2012, offering an ethical commitment to donate the majority of his fortune to philanthropic causes.[48] Musk became a member of the campaign first popularised by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates with a class of 12 of America's wealthiest families and individuals, which included Arthur Blank and Michael Moritz.[48]
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=91060311

.. genius ..