SpaceX test-fires its 'super' rocket engines (video)

Spaceflight start-up, SpaceX, has been demonstrating the potency of its SuperDraco rockets, testing at its own facility over in Texas. The rockets will help land its Dragon spacecraft -- as demonstrated in a swish animation last year. They will also power emergency escape functions, something that will, according to founder Elon Musk, make the Dragon "the safest spacecraft in history." It has already made a successful orbital flight and will tote eight engines apparently offering up to 120,000 pounds of thrust to the spaceship. Unfortunately, SpaceX's plan for a February launch was postponed in favor of continued development time, but we're not going complain if the company still fulfills its promise of ferrying people to the ISS. Coundown from ten for ignition right after the break.

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SpaceX test-fires its 'super' rocket engines (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.