FAA gives SpaceX the first-ever commercial license for spacecraft reentry

Well, SpaceX just scored a huge milestone in space travel for the proletariat: we get to come back now. The FAA just gave SpaceX's Dragon capsule a reentry license, paving the way for it to make round trips to the International Space Station and eventually even take people up there. NASA, who already has some hefty contracts with SpaceX for launches, has congratulated SpaceX over Twitter on the good news, though we're sure the few billion dollars in future business speaks volumes already. Engadget's own Chad Mumm, resident Space Destiny Enthusiast, had this to say about the momentous occasion:

"We're standing on the shoulders of our ancestors, reaching out a small, child-like hand at the stars. And then returning safely to earth thanks to FAA certification. We're on the verge of the impossible."

Sorry, there's something in our eye...

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FAA gives SpaceX the first-ever commercial license for spacecraft reentry originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/22/faa-gives-spacex-the-first-ever-commercial-license-for-spacecraf/

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