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Falcon 9 April 30 static fire. [Credit: SpaceX] Late last month, SpaceX test-fired its Falcon 9 engines and planned a launch to the InternationalSpace Station (ISS) on May 7. SpaceX pushed this launch back butit's now slated to take place on May 19 at 4:55am EDT (1:55am PDT).This upcoming launch will be a part of the Commercial Orbital transportation Services (COTS) program, an effort to help NASA find a private launchprovider to ferry crew members and cargo to the ISS. According to Wired , the delay was due to possible congestion at the ISS with thisweek's launch of the Soyuz . However, the two-second Falcon 9's Merlin rocket engine test wassuccessful. The upcoming launch at Cape Canaveral will send the Dragonspacecraft into low-Earth orbit where it will then dock with theISS if everything goes as plan and NASA gives the green light. Toget said green light, as the capsule orbits the Earth and headstoward the ISS, SpaceX will use the capsule's sensors to runmultiple tests and system checks to make sure that the Dragoncapsule is working properly. On the fourth day of the mission, the Dragon capsule will attemptto berth with the station by getting extremely close to the ISS,where it will then be grabbed by the ISS's robotic arm and thenattached to the station. At the ISS, astronauts will unload thecargo from the capsule, as well as fill the Dragon with returncargo. After about two weeks, the Dragon will detach from thestation and return to Earth and splash down somewhere in thePacific Ocean, west of Southern California. This is one launch that you won't want to miss! If successful, itwill be the first time that a private company has ever berthedtheir own capsule with the ISS. How to Watch the Launch Live You can check out spacex.com , where the company will webcast the launch, complete withcommentary from SpaceX corporate HQ. The webcast will start about40 minutes before launch and will go until the Dragon separatesfrom the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket. NASA TV will cover the event starting at 12:30am Saturday morning. Spacevidcast and SpaceFlight Now may also cover the launch as well (they have covered a number oflaunches live in the past, but we make no guarantees.). For all the specifics on the upcoming launch make sure to check outthe official SpaceX COTS 2 Mission Press Kit (pdf). [ SpaceX (PDF) ] Follow James Mulroy on Twitter and on StumbleUpon to get the latest in microbe , dinosaur , and death ray news . Like this? You might also enjoy... Glove Turns Sign Language Into Spoken Letters, Opens UpCommunication Electric Motorcycle Hits 200 MPH; Breaks Record, Burns Rubber This New GPS Does Augmented Reality, Makes You Feel Like You're ina Fighter Jet Get more GeekTech: Twitter - Facebook - RSS Tip us off. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as CNC Motorcycle Parts , Metal Stamping Die for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Precision Stamping Parts.
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