[Satellite TODAY 01-07-10] SpaceX completed a 329-second static test firing of the medium-lift Falcon 9’s Merlin single-engine upper stage, the company announced Jan. 6.
    The test simulated the engine burn that will be required to put SpaceX’s Dragon cargo vehicle in orbit. The Merlin engine generated 92,500 pounds of thrust during the static test. The upper stage now is cleared to be shipped from SpaceX’s test site in Texas to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
    SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said that the engine will arrive at the Cape by the end of January and, optimistically, integration with the nine-engine Falcon 9 first stage could be finished in time for a February liftoff.  Musk said that the launch also could happen as late as April.

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