NASA set to go commercial with SpaceX

NASA officials compare this mission to the Mercury program which was the first step to the Apollo program and landing on the moon. SpaceX's launch is expected to open the door for future commercial flights.

Technicians are loading supplies into Dragon in preparation for their rendevous.

The SpaceX Merlin engines power the Falcon 9 first stage. After the engines are ignited the rocket is still clamped and not allowed to launch until all systems are "go."  The engines provide 125,000 lbs-f sea level thrust per engine for a total thrust on liftoff of just over 1.1 Million lbs-f.

Learning from early rocket failures, SpaceX uses 9 engines that can propel a successful mission even if an engine malfunctions similar to what happened with the Saturn 1 and Saturn 5 rockets during the Apollo launches.

SpaceX has already completed two successful launches along with the recovery of their space capsule.

Here's the liftoff of a Falcon 9 test in December, 2011. SpaceX is working on a larger rocket that will be able to carry more equipment into space.

Here is the Falcon 9 second stage rolling into a NASA terminal to be assembled for launch.

Meanwhile, the Dragon space capsule is getting ready for its ride.

Here's a diagram with the dimensions of the Dragon space capsule.

Dragon's mission to the Internatonal Space Station is actually a safety test for future passenger flights. Seven people will actually fit in Dragon with 3 seated in front and 4 standing.

Here, NASA astronauts try out the seating - and standing - arrangements.

Dragon has a fairly big window for the astronauts to enjoy the view.

NASA believes that one of the biggest advantages of SpaceX's Dragon capsule is that they are planned to be reuseable, similar to the Space Shuttles.

Here is a test of its capsule falling back to Earth.

Here's the capsule being recovered after a test.

Dragon sits atop the Falcon 9.

Other commercial projects that NASA is looking at - but aren't quite ready to roll - include this Boeing capsule. It's currently in Phase 2 of testing the capsule which is planned to be completed in July, 2012. Boeing has been building rockets for NASA for several years.

Another company that is eager to join the newest space race is SNC Space Systems. They are currently building the Dream Chaser capsule with wings that will fold.

Here is a conception of Dream Chase docking with the International Space Station.

The main problem with the currently space program has been the shortage of rockets and launch facilities available to send payloads into space. It is hoped that commercial flights can resolve this problem.

Many governmental space agencies and private companies are using Russian rockets such as the Cosmo 1.