Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has completed acceptance testing for the first and second stages of the Falcon 9 spacecraft.

The series of tests subjected the two stages to an array of structural load and proof pressure tests to verify their acceptability for flight.

SpaceX CEO and CTO Elon Musk said that Space X will now move forward with a static fire of the first and second stages, the last major milestone before hardware is transferred to SpaceX’s launch pad at Cape Canaveral.

Acceptance testing began in late summer with the first stage and concluded last week at SpaceX’s Texas facility with completion of acceptance testing for the second stage.

The first Falcon 9 flight will be a demonstration to launch a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit into orbit to provide valuable aerodynamic and performance information.

The second flight of the Falcon 9 / Dragon system will be the first flight under Nasa’s commercial orbital transportation services programme.

The first flight is expected to take place within three months of Falcon 9 arriving at Cape Canaveral in November 2009.