
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket static fire test on Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted at T minus 1.1 seconds due to high engine chamber pressure. During the test, all nine Merlin engines, which use rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce 1 million pounds of thrust, are expected to fire at once. After the test, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the first launch of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit atop the Falcon 9. This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal, which will end after the engines fire at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray and Kevin O'Connell
Most NASA images are in the public domain and free to use. Credit NASA as the source. Check NASA's media usage guidelines for details. Images featuring identifiable individuals may require additional permissions.
NASA ID
KSC-2010-5770
Date Created
December 3, 2010
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Location
Cape Canaveral, FL
Download this image in multiple resolutions. All NASA media are free for public use.
Large
1920px