SpaceX's Musk: Dragon could be planetary science platform

SpaceX's pad abort test this week at Cape Canaveral showed important progress toward readying Dragon capsules to fly astronauts to the International Space Station within two years or so.

CEO Elon Musk said the test also showed the Dragon's potential to deliver science payloads to the moon, Mars, the Jovian moon Europa, or virtually anywhere across the solar system.

"When boosted on a Falcon Heavy (rocket), it can pretty much go anywhere," said Musk. "So we're kind of excited about exploring that possibility."

SpaceX hopes to launch the Falcon Heavy for the first time late this year or early next year from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A. With three Falcon 9 boosters strapped together, the heavy-lift rocket will become the world's most powerful launch vehicle, generating 4.5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

During Wednesday's pad abort test, the Dragon fired eight SuperDraco engines to show how it would escape from a launch pad emergency. Those engines are also designed to allow the spacecraft to perform powered landings on land, though ISS astronauts will start out splashing down in water under parachutes.

With its combination of a heat shield, parachutes and those landing engines, Musk said the Dragon was intended not only to fly astronauts but to serve as a "generalized science delivery platform," potentially able to place two to four tons of useful payload on Mars.

When bound for a destination without an atmosphere, he said, the Dragon's parachutes and heat shield could be replaced with more engine propellant.

"So I think it should be quite versatile and useful in a lot of ways for both the science community and for transporting astronauts," he said.

SpaceX nears EELV certification

The Air Force next month expects to certify SpaceX as eligible to compete for contracts to launch national security satellites, the Space and Missile Systems Center reported this week.

SMC said a revised agreement with SpaceX would streamline a lengthy certification process that an internal Air Force review criticized earlier this year.

The updated agreement "allows the flexibility to certify SpaceX when ready, while maintaining our 'laser focus on mission success'," said Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves, SMC commander, in a statement.

"SpaceX welcomes these actions," added Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer. "We look forward to completing the certification process and competing for (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle)missions."

Under the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle or EELV program, only United Launch Alliance's Atlas V and Delta IV rockets are certified to launch high-value national security spacecraft, from Global Positioning System upgrades to National Reconnaissance Office spy satellites. SpaceX's Falcon 9 version 1.1 will soon compete for some of those launches.

Progress could stall ISS crews

The failure of a Russian Progress resupply ship launched April 28 could delay three astronauts' return from the International Space Station this week, and the launch of their replacement crew.

Russian officials had initially said the robotic Progress 59 freighter's loss would not impact the next crew launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, planned May 26, because they would use a different type of Soyuz rocket.

But Russian news reports this week said that launch of a crew including NASA's Kjell Lindgren could be pushed back to late July.

And this Wednesday's planned return to Earth of three crew members including NASA astronaut and Expedition 43 Commander Terry Virts could be postponed until next month.

"The Russian Space Agency has formed a commission to assess the root cause of the failure with Progress 59," said NASA spokesman Dan Huot. "We will know more after they have conducted their investigation."

Findings from the investigation are expected to be released by Wednesday.

The Progress 59 spacecraft and more than 6,000 pounds of supplies burned up late Thursday during an uncontrolled re-entry through the atmosphere over the central Pacific Ocean.

Pioneering space

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana is the featured guest at Tuesday's monthly luncheon meeting of the National Space Club Florida Committee.

Cabana will offer a presentation titled, "Pioneering Space: The Journey Begins at KSC," at the Radisson Resort at the Port. Visit www.nscfl.org for more details.

Stott addresses Class of 2015

Students graduating Monday from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach will hear some words of wisdom from NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, the commencement speaker.

Stott lived on the International Space Station for three months in 2009 and flew on shuttle Discovery's final mission in 2011.

A Florida native, she earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Embry-Riddle in 1987, and is a member of the university's board of trustees. She also earned a master's degree in engineering management from the University of Central Florida in 1992.

3, 2, 1...Hike!

A former Florida State University quarterback now has a role in shaping the state's space policy as a member of Space Florida's board of directors.

The board recently announced the addition of Drew Weatherford, who called signals for the Seminoles between 2005 and 2008 and is now a partner in the business advisory firm Weatherford Partners. Drew's brother Will is a former Speaker of the Florida House.

Also joining the 14-person board nominally chaired by Gov. Rick Scott was Jason Steele, a former state representative who is now director of government affairs at Melbourne law firm Smith and Associates.

Space Florida board members also sit on the board of Enterprise Florida. They are scheduled to meet in Tampa late this month.