Reaching Orbit – SpaceX: The New Frontier
With the decommissioning of the space shuttles, commercial companies have taken on the role of building re-useable spacecrafts. SpaceX is developing one such spacecraft under the Commercial Orbiting Transportation Services (COTS) ran by NASA. They were awarded a contract of up to $1.6 billion for a minimum of 12 flights to the International Space Station. They also have the option of performing additional flights for up to $3.1 billion.
Going by the name of Dragon, the SpaceX spacecraft is composed of a nosecone, the spacecraft and the trunk. The nosecone protects the spacecraft as it passes through the atmosphere. The … Read more
