SpaceX Splashdown Thur.; Adds Customer for Huge Rocket

SpaceX's Private Dragon Capsule Returns to Earth Thursday

by Clara Moskowitz, SPACE.com Assistant Managing Editor

Date: 30 May 2012 Time: 11:24 AM ET

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The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm at the International Space Station. This image was taken May 25, 2012. CREDIT: NASA View full size image

After a more than a week in orbit, the private space capsule Dragon is preparing to return to Earth from the International Space Station and cap off its historic mission with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Dragon is due to be released from the station early Thursday (May 31) and splash down a few hours later. The return to Earth is the last major hurdle for the groundbreaking spacecraft built by Hawthorne, Calif.-based Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX).









MORE: http://www.space.com/15918-spacex-private-space-capsule-landing.html

SpaceX Signs 1st Customer for World's Most Powerful Private Rocket

by Tariq Malik, SPACE.com Managing Editor

Date: 30 May 2012 Time: 10:36 AM ET

Illustration of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, which the company says will be the most capable rocket operating today. CREDIT: SpaceX View full size image

The private spaceflight company SpaceX has signed its first launch customer for its new mega-rocket, the Falcon Heavy, even as the firm's first commercial spaceship prepares to return home from the International Space Station.
The Hawthorne, Calif.-based SpaceX announced Thursday (May 29) that it has landed a contract with satellite communications provider Intelsat to launch a satellite using the new Falcon Heavy rocket, which is expected to become the world's most powerful rocket in use when it starts flying.

MORE: http://www.space.com/15915-worlds-powerful-private-rocket-spacex.html

June 5 - Safe Public Viewing of Rare Astronomical Event:
>>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/venustransit/notices/Poster-VenusTransit2012.html 

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