Second SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Now Being Assembled 65
FleaPlus writes "Six weeks after the first launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, the first stage of the second rocket has finished production/testing, and has arrived at Cape Canaveral for a launch as early as September, depending on the pace of a methodical review of the Dragon capsule systems and minor rocket modifications/fixes being made based on data from the inaugural launch. The rocket will launch the first operational unmanned Dragon cargo/crew spacecraft into orbit, where it will perform tests and then reenter off the California coast. CEO/CTO Elon Musk made the intriguing remark that Dragon's heat shield is strong enough to enable a return not only from Earth orbit, but also lunar orbit or Mars velocities as well."
Meanwhile, back in the Senate . . . (Score:5, Funny)
Because they cannot control what SpaceX does, or where it spends its money, Senators are throwing temper tantrums, screaming hysterically and jumping up and down like their assess were on fire. Live from the Senate:
"Dirty, dirty, dirty! I want spending for my state! Bad, bad, bad! Darn, darn, darn!"
Senate staffers hope to placate them with a large supply of Happy Meals. Unfortunately, when they do calm down, they will immediately consider legislation that will put SpaceX under their thumb.
I'm sure NASA could do some really amazing stuff . . . if it wasn't for those meddling kids in the Senate . . .
Re:Stories today (Score:4, Funny)
I suppose this means it's safe to hold the SpaceX Falcon 9 with your left hand?