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Successful Commercial Falcon 1 Razaksat Satellite Launch
The Razaksat satellite was successfully separated from the SpaceX Falcon 1 lauch vehicle about 48 minutes after liftoff at Kwajalein at 3:35 GMT (11:35 pm EDT). This is the first succesful launch of a satellite on a Falcon rocket. Falcon 1 is a two stage, liquid oxygen and kerosene powered rocket designed for commercial transport of satellites to low Earth orbit. The Falcon 1 is powered by a Merlin 1C engine, developed by SpaceX and delivering about the same thrust as the Saturn V F-1.
The RazakSat satellite is a joint development program between Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn.Bhd. of Malaysia and SaTReCi to develop technologies for a Near Equatorial Orbit remote sensing mini-satellite system for medium high-resolution images. Two other satellites are on board, InnoSat and CubeSat.
This was the fifth flight of the Falcon 1 rocket, with the last two flights being successful. Later this year the first flight of the larger Falcon 9 rocket is planned from Cape Canaveral. The Falcon-9 first stage is powered by nine Merlin engines.
July 14, 2009 in New Technology | Permalink
Comments
In an era where we are concerned about the amount of greenhouse gases that we pumped into the atmosphere, I wonder if we are working on either a more efficient way or a less polluting way to get satellites and rockets into outer space. Kids working on science fair projects, this is an issue that you can work on.
Posted by: Astronomy Science Fair Projects | Jul 14, 2009 2:45:21 PM
If you are looking for great science fair projects to work on then consider developing a project that addresses the design of the launching process of a rocket or shuttle into outer space.
Posted by: Astronomy Science Fair Projects | Aug 4, 2009 6:59:20 PM
