how SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk described the day’s events shortly after the company’s Dragon capsule completed nearly two orbits of the earth on Tuesday. The successful launch places the company on pace to fulfill a $1.6 billion contract with NASA to deliver 44,000 pounds of cargo during 12 flights to the International Space Station.

The Dragon flew for about three hours and 20 minutes at an altitude of 182 miles (300 kilometers). It is the first privately developed and launched spacecraft to be put into low earth orbit and return to earth for a successful recovery.

Many veterans of space flight praised the launch and said it shows commercial orbital flight is a viable option, especially as NASA brings the space shuttle program to a close. Former shuttle astronaut Byron Lichtenberg said the SpaceX model could open the door for new astronauts who won’t be limited by NASA’s agenda.

“I expect that there will be a lot more astronauts in the future because of today’s success with Dragon,” Lichtenberg said after the flight. “Lower cost launches means more flights, which means more astronauts. We’ve only had 500 astronauts in the history of the Space Age, but I hope to see thousands more in the decades to come thanks to new spacecraft like Dragon.”

NASA administrator Charles Bolden said the successful test flight demonstrates the abilities of commercial launch systems.

“This successful demonstration flight is an important milestone in meeting the objectives outlined by President Obama and Congress, and shows how government and industry can leverage expertise and resources to foster a new and vibrant space economy,” Bolden said.

Before Tuesday’s launch, Musk had given the mission a 60 to 70 percent chance of success. Following the successful launch, orbits and recovery of the capsule, the normally loquacious entrepreneur was at a loss for words.

“I wish I could be more articulate at moments like this, but, um, I think it’s just sort of a natural reaction which kind of blows my mind,” he said. “It’s hard to be articulate with a blown mind.”

Following a delayed launch at 10:43 a.m. EST, Dragon completed nearly two orbits of the earth. During the trip, the spacecraft performed maneuvers meant to test its ability to rendezvous with the space station. Engineers tested the capsule’s thrusters, power system and navigation equipment before carrying out a de-orbit burn and landing on target in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico.

In addition to patches for company employees, the Dragon also carried a yet-to-be named payload. Musk would only say, “if you like Monty Python, you’ll love the secret.” Many speculate it might have been Spam. If so, it would bring a smile to those who have long called astronauts aboard capsules “Spam in a can.” The phrase was made famous by the test pilots of the 1960s when talking about the Mercury astronauts.

The flight was financed by NASA under a contract to encourage the development of private-sector rockets. Such rockets would deliver cargo to the space station after the shuttle is scheduled to retire next year. Musk already plans to ask NASA if a planned second and third flight can be combined and make the next flight of the Dragon to the space station next year.

In addition to carrying cargo, the Dragon also is designed to carry people. With room for five to seven astronauts, the Dragon could carry people to the International Space Station, commercial space stations or even “space hotels” such as those planned by Bigelow Aerospace.

Musk said any passengers on Tuesday’s launch would have experienced little more than what they might feel on a thrilling amusement park ride.

“People sometimes think that to take a cargo spacecraft and put crew in it requires this enormous amount of magical pixie dust, but that’s just not the case,” the entrepreneur said. “If there had been people sitting in the Dragon capsule today they would have had a very nice ride.”

Musk added the current Dragon spacecraft is almost ready for human flight. “Except for the escape system, its seats and some minor upgrades to the life support system, the vehicle you saw today could easily transport people,” he said.

Musk was sure to thank NASA for its assistance with his private space program, noting, “We’re only here because we stand on the shoulders of giants.” Asked what he would say to those who think SpaceX isn’t a solution for future space flight, he expressed confidence his company would be leading the way to the future.

“If there really are people who are going to still find a way to cast aspersions on what was done today, I pity them,” he said. “Because they’ll be fighting on the wrong side of yesterday’s war.”

Photos: SpaceX

See Also:

• SpaceX Launches Cargo Spacecraft Into Orbit
• SpaceX Rocket Achieves Earth Orbit on First Flight
• SpaceX Did It — Falcon 1 Made it to Space
• Elon Musk Is Betting His Fortune on a Mission Beyond Earth's Orbit
• Xoie Claims $1 Million Lunar Lander Prize
• An Armadillo Shoots For the Moon

Authors: Jason Paur

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