ALL Fingers Are Crossed for the First NASA/SpaceX COTS Demo 1 Mission

Like any space geek, ANN has been working aggressively to stay abreast of the latest details in America's somewhat convoluted space program. With newcomer SpaceX already in the game with a spectacularly successful first launch, the first SpaceX/NASA collaboration flight has set the bar even higher and kept the space community on pins and needles.

But... it has not been without hiccups... a Tuesday launch was scrubbed when engineers discovered two small cracks in the aft end of the 2nd stage engine nozzle expansion. And while it was not the news that anyone wanted to hear, it was no more than a mild disturbance in the 'force' that lives at SpaceX... with their crews attacking these and other issues with a vengeance.

SpaceX was recently granted the first commercial FAA licence for a spacecraft to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. The launch, when it occurs, will be the first flight under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program to develop commercial supply services to the International Space Station and encourage the growth of the commercial space industry.

At a Monday afternoon press conference, SpaceX Boss Gwynne Shotwell laid out the details for getting the Falcon9 launched as soon as safely possible and what they hoped to accomplish with this pivotal mission...the first NASA COTS Demonstration flight.

Join ANN right from the Kennedy Space Center (just a few hours ago) as we present Shotwell's remarks and comments on the eve of SpaceX's next great challenge.

FMI: www.spacex.com, www.nasa.gov, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews