SpaceX - MAKING HISTORY

It is the goal of this weblog to randomly pay tribute to aeronautical achievements, people, events, and interesting aeronautical facts.  Most of the time we look back over the phenominal history of American aviation.  But today, it is fitting that we honor a private company which has aspired to the dream of space flight and are achieving it as I write this.

Photo Credits: NASA / SpaceX

5/31/2012: Back to Earth after Success.

5/25/12 Houston.. "Looks like we have a Dragon by the tail..."

5/25/12 SpaceX Dragon Capsule Approaches the I.S.S.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket - 1.1 Million Pounds of Thrust

"Dragon" reuseable spacecraft developed by SpaceX under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.

Today, in the morning's wee hours, SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket to propel it's Dragon space capsule into orbit en route toward a rendezvous with the International Space Station. Our family has followed the progress made by SpaceX over the past several years.  Today's mission is an endeavor only achieved previously by four enormous government programs. 

We're proud that our hometown McGregor Texas is also home to the SpaceX rocket engine test facility. SpaceX started as a private venture just shy of ten years ago.  Today the company has over 1,700 employees in California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Florida. They have harnessed the best of today's talent and technology in the reach toward their goal.  At they same time, they give back to their community as sponsors to youth programs, city events, and supporting our public schools.  SpaceX is truly a first class company.  We cheer them on toward the ISS.
 

At right, and below:

SpaceX Test facilities in McGregor TX

For more information, visit spacex.com.

Out and About

Flier Teresa Sloan reported via Facebook that Richard Pingrey had his Curtiss Robin J-1 out and about over the past weekend at Ellensburg, Washington.  Great to display the old Robin at a local fund raiser pancake breakfast for EAA and AHP scholarship fund.

"Wheezie" at the breakfast.

What a beautiful bird under the bright blue skies of Washington State!  We hope to hear more from Richard soon....  unfortunately, it seems there was a slight setback after the pancake breakfast.



See facebook updates...

Teresa Sloan

All is well that ends well minimum damage, mostly to landing gear. Pilot unhurt. Fifteen friends later she is resting in her hangar awaiting repairs.

  Teresa Sloan Won't know (what happened) until they tearr down engine. Suspect she swallowed a valve. 

• • Teresa Sloan Gear was a mess and prop bent but wings and fuselage ok.
    
  •  Teresa Sloan Not my plane. Its the 1929 curtis robin. The owner was flying. He shut down the engine due to smoke so it wasnt under power when the prop hit, so hopefully no damage to crankshaft. 
  • Terry Bowden Glad Nobody got hurt. This scene looks familiar... similar incident in 1993 with Dad's Robin. Send our best wishes for quick repairs.
    

     

    Teresa Sloan Yeah pretty scary. He had a friend circling overhead. She stopped breathing until she saw him get out of the plane and wave.

    
    

Another Curtiss Robin changes hands.

David Baumbach has quietly become the most prolific Curtiss Robin collector of the past few years.   This is great news!!

05/10/12

Terry:  I wanted to report that I have a third Curtiss robin.  I will send photos next week.

Best Regards, .......... David Baumbach

05/11/12

Hey David, Thats great news.  Which one?  Is it flying or a project?  I look forward to the photos. .... Terry

05/14/12

Terry:  We got it from the Yanks Museum; Yanks got it several years ago from the Douglas Santa Monica.  It is a model J-1 s/n 679, N679R.  It is powered with 220 Cont engine, has a Ham std prop, and is currently disassembled.  The fabric appears to be airworthy so we will assemble it and attempt to fly it this summer.   I will email photos. .....  David 

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING SOME PHOTOS FROM DAVID SOON.   STAY TUNED!!!