McGregor, TX (July 29, 2009) – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces the successful completion of qualification testing for the Falcon 9 launch vehicle first stage tank and interstage. Testing took place at SpaceX’s Texas Test Site, a 300 acre structural and propulsion testing facility, located just outside of Waco, Texas. [First stage is green; interstage is black; this is the bird that will service the International Space Station when the shuttles are retired.]
UPDATE: But I’m opposed to government handouts for these and other commercial ops. We can see how well that worked for NASA, whose proposed Ares 1–whose capsule spacecraft is a throwback to Apollo and doesn’t even have an airlock–already is seeking more tax billions.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
In principle, I would love to see private enterprise outrunning the state. The only way to move some of us from Earth and forward is if a viable (profitable) reason will be found.
Well, it’s pure Heinlein.
I like the concept of the Falcon enterprise. It should be done for profit, not with tax money. I’m not so sure about the technology. It’s not innovative at all, as far as I can see.