SpaceX Test Fires Next Falcon 1

Yeah, I know I've been gone for a while. This is because the business I talked about a couple months ago is finally up and running, and we've been busy perfecting our pricing and our website. As things calm down, though, and we wait for our first orders to come in, I've found a little time to catch up on some space tourism news. And some of these companies have been busy! Not the usual suspects either; some of the companies making news lately are ones that I've only mentioned briefly in passing. So for the next week, I'll be talking about some of these, but as I like to take the news in order, I'll first catch up on some SpaceX news.

SpaceX has successfully test-fired its next Falcon 1 rocket in preparation for its coming launch. If successful, it will be SpaceX's first delivery of a payload into orbit, a critical step for its ambitious planned operations in the next couple of years, including possible manned missions and the probable launch of a space hotel prototype.

The launch of this rocket will take place on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Central Pacific. The first launch window is between July 24 and August 6, and the next is August 29 to October 5. The people at SpaceX are downplaying any rush to launch, stating that they will take their time testing the safety and operations of the rocket. Its payload includes the Trailblazer satellite for the Jumpstart Program of the Department of Defense's Operationally Responsive Space Office, along with two small NASA satellites held by an adapter system developed in Malaysia.

Progress: 3.73%  Flight Time: 0:05:35