SpaceX
SpaceX update... Check out this video showing SpaceX test firing its Merlin 1D engine, which is an upgrade of the Merlin engines that successfully flew on the last three Falcon 9 flights in 2010 and last month, respectively. The test fire, which was conducted yesterday at the Rocket Development Facility in McGregor, Texas, lasted for a little over 3 minutes (185 seconds, to be exact) with 147,000 pounds of thrust; the full duration and power required for a Falcon 9 rocket launch. The Merlin 1D will eventually be used on Falcon 9 and SpaceX's newest launch vehicle, the Falcon Heavy rocket...which is scheduled for its first test flight sometime next year.
The Merlin 1D engines will debut on their first sojourn into space on Falcon 9 Flight 6, also targeted for launch in 2013.
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