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Falcon 1 Ready to Launch

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the third-time's-a-charm dept.

DarkNemesis618 writes "SpaceX's new rocket, the Falcon 1 is set to launch February 8. Twice now it has been delayed for technological problems and then for structural. It's payload is set to be the FalconSat-2 satellite. What's interesting is that this satellite was built by the cadets at the USAF Academy. The satellite is going to be studying the effects of space plasma. It appears NASA & the shuttle are not the only ways for the government to launch satellites anymore."

3 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. Other Alternatives by cyclone96 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It appears NASA & the shuttle are not the only ways for the government to launch satellites anymore

    Ever hear of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, or Orbital Sciences? The government hasn't launched any major satellite besides ISS on the Shuttle for a decade. Satellite launches are contracted out.

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    Worst...sig...ever!
  2. Re:No more satellite jockeys by susano_otter · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I thought astronauts were meant to gather valuable research data about humans living and working in space.

    Space exploration is a job for probots, not people.

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    Any sufficiently well-organized community is indistinguishable from Government.

  3. Re:No more satellite jockeys by susano_otter · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Actually, I'm of the opinion that, to the extent that humans were "meant" to do anything, we're certainly meant to fly in space. You and I share the same dream.

    But I differentiate between "exploration"--something best done by probots--and "adventure"--something best done by humans.

    --

    Any sufficiently well-organized community is indistinguishable from Government.