Cape Canaveral, this morning:
SpaceX just performed a full duration static test fire of the Falcon9 rocket
in preparation for Wednesday’s launch of the Dragon spacecraft
(depicted here in a frame grab from a SpaceX simulation of reentry).
A full duration test, while remaining clamped to the launch pad is possible because SpaceX uses a hold-before-release system — a capability required by commercial airplanes but rarely implemented on launch vehicles. (photo from today below)
After the first stage engine ignites, the Falcon 9 is held down and not released for flight until all propulsion and vehicle systems are confirmed to be operating nominally.
This week’s launch will be the first attempt by a commercial company to recover a spacecraft reentering from low-Earth orbit. It is a feat performed by only six governmental agencies so far: the U.S., Russia, China, Japan, India, and the European Space Agency.
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