SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rolls Out
The Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket with Dragon capsule attached on top is lifted into the vertical position during a rollout demonstration test at Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image was taken Oct. 2, 2012.
SpaceX Dragon Approaches the ISS
The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft makes its relative approach to the International Space Station prior to grapple by the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm, controlled by Expedition 33 crew members. This image was taken Oct. 10, 2012.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk with Falcon 9 Rocket
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stands next to the company's Falcon 9 rocket, which blasted SpaceX's Dragon capsule into orbit in December 2010.
Engines Ignite for SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch
Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida comes alive as the Merlin engines ignite under the Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule to orbit on Oct. 7, 2012.
Falcon 9 and Dragon Liftoff
Liftoff of Falcon 9 and Dragon from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral, Fl. on Oct. 7, 2012.
SpaceX Dragon Commercial Cargo Craft Approaches ISS
Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, the SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft makes its relative approach to the International Space Station prior to grapple by the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm, controlled by Expedition 33 crew members. This image was taken Oct. 10, 2012.
SpaceX Dragon Splashdown
The SpaceX Dragon capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean Oct. 28, 2012 after its first caro delivery mission to the International Space Station.
SpaceX Grasshopper's Highest Hop, Dec. 17
The SpaceX Grasshopper rocket prototype vertically launched and landed in its most impressive test flight to date on Dec. 17.
SpaceX's Grasshopper
Grasshopper consists of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage, Merlin 1D engine, four steel landing legs with hydraulic dampers, and a steel support structure. For a sense of its scale, note the blue pick-up truck to the left of Grasshopper in the photo above.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 Unique View
A unique view from the ground looking up shows the Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Falcon 9 rocket with Dragon capsule attached after it was lifted into the vertical position during a rollout demonstration test to Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image was taken Oct. 2, 2012.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
