Bad Astronomy

SpaceX to space!

On Monday, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the private company Space-X will attempt to launch the first privately-built rocket into orbit.

The Falcon 1 rocket is 21 meters long, will be able to lift 570 kilograms into orbit, and is cited by the company to have the lowest launch cost of any rocket in the world: ground to orbit for $US 6.7 million. It will lift an Air Force satellite FalconSat-2, which will in effect measure space weather.

This is really exciting! I’m not sure what TV media will cover the launch, but SpaceX will have video and images available soon after launch.’