National Space Society

More on the Falcon 9/Dragon Test Flight

Share:

Facebook
X
Pinterest
LinkedIn

* The Falcon 9 rocket performed nearly flawlessly. The roll attitude was solid through the entire flight. The first stage sep was without impingement.

* The Dragon capsule entered orbit 301×288 on a targeted 300km circular.

* The capsule thrusters were tested on maneuvers similar to what is required for ISS docking.

* 4 Cubesats were successfully released into orbit.

* After separation from Dragon, the Falcon 2nd stage was fired again and placed in an orbit with an 11,000km apogee.

* The capsule re-entry burns were spot on.

* All three parachutes deployed perfectly.

* The capsule came down so close to the recovery ship that they have a good photo of it under the parachutes.

* It was being recovered within 35 minutes of the opening of the drogue chute.

* The heat shield barely got warm. We have now been told that this craft has a heat shield that can handle a free return from the Luna or Mars, i.e. it can be used as an interplanetary vehicle.

* Plans are for the next generation to do powered landings on a helipad sized landing pad.

* The volume and capabilities of Dragon meet or exceed those of the not yet ready for test Orion capsule.

* Today’s mission was so stunningly successful that SpaceX wants to move directly to an ISS flight on the next test. NASA is thinking about it

Share:

Facebook
X
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Picture of By National Space Society

By National Space Society

1 thought on “More on the Falcon 9/Dragon Test Flight”

Leave a Comment

Don't Miss a Beat!

Be the first to know when new articles are posted!

Search
Categories

Follow Us On Social Media

JOIN THE
GREATEST ADVENTURE

Give The Gift Of Space: Membership For Friends and Family

Book Review

Out of This World

Book Review: Out of This World

Anyone seeking a short but comprehensive introduction to human spaceflight would do well to start with this book. It reviews its history, highlights the accomplishments and tragedies, and describes the equipment used. It also looks at living in space, what space travelers experience, and how they work.

Read More »
desigining farms in space

Book Review: Designing Farms in Space

Meyer’s academic textbook is loaded with numerous photographs, diagrams, charts, and graphs. There are chapters on subjects such as farm machines, animal and fungi production, plant and algae production, and space menus. The farming techniques outlined in the book can be applied to lunar, Martian, or rotating space settlements.

Read More »
Archives


Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, McLean, Virginia
June 4 - 7, 2026

Recent Blog Posts

In this NSS Space Forum, astronaut and former U.S. Navy test pilot Susan Kilrain joins us to discuss her new book, Slaying Snakes in the...
Anyone seeking a short but comprehensive introduction to human spaceflight would do well to start with this book. It reviews its history, highlights the accomplishments...
The Space Coast has extraordinary assets and an opportunity to continue its preeminence as a spaceport while becoming a destination for a new generation of...

The National Space Society (NSS) enthusiastically welcomes NASA’s proposed PROMISE lunar lander, a bold step forward in expanding scientific access, mobility, and capability across the...

This bold song was painstakingly composed to capture the true essence of that call, "Ad Astra," and covers the future progress of humankind as it...
Back in 1966, Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to soft-land on the Moon. Apogee Books has provided an English-language NASA translation of a detailed...

By Burt Dicht NSS Space Coast Correspondent Image: Starship 13 after “landing” in the Indian Ocean. Last week I had the opportunity to speak to...

On July 20, 2026, 151 people gathered for a special brunch at Space220 in EPCOT at Walt Disney World to celebrate National Space Exploration Day,...
adastra magazine

Your Doorway to New Worlds