SpaceX’s Dragon Capsule Docks With International Space StationBusiness 2 Community
James Kosur January 12, 2015
The SpaceX Dragon capsule has successfully docked with the International Space Station following a two-day journey.
The capsule launched from Cape Canaveral and was plucked from space by NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who grabbed the capsule using the stations 58-foot robotic arm. The Dragon capsule was captured at 5:54 a.m. EST on Monday.
“It’s nice to have it onboard, and we’ll be digging in soon,” Wilmore told flight controllers on the ground. Assisting Wilmore in the capsules capture was Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.
The Dragon capsule was a welcomed addition that brought with it 5,000 pounds of food, supplies, and science experiments.
The spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral by way of a Falcon 9 rocket at 4:47 a.m. Saturday. As previously reported, SpaceX unsuccessfully attempted to land the Falcon 9 rocket on an ocean platform.
SpaceX delivered the Dragon capsule as part of 12 resupply missions worth $1.6 billion to the company. The Dragon capsule is also the first commercial cargo delivery by a U.S. company since the October failure of an Orbital Sciences Corp. Antares rocket.
The Dragon capsule’s launch was stalled for more than a month because of technical issues. The capsule was expected to reach the International Space Station before Christmas.
Speaking about the Dragon capsules arrival, Wilmore said, “We’re excited to have it on board. We’ll be digging in soon.” Wilmore says he is most excited to finally have condiments aboard the space station, specifically mustard.
The actual docking process took place several hours after the Dragon capsule was captured by the International Space Stations robotic arm and then bolted to the space craft. The Twitter account @SpaceX sent out the docked confirmation following the capsules retrieval.
Dragon is now attached and bolted to ISS, where it will remain for the next four weeks. pic.twitter.com/tT1zeyVjuM
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 12, 2015
The Dragon capsule will remain with the station for approximately one month before it is released and then splashes down in the Pacific Ocean.
In the meantime, SpaceX plans to reattempt a Falcon 9 rocket landing, possibly during its next launch in late January. That launch will help deliver a new satellite into orbit.
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/spacex-dragon-capsule-docks-international-space-station-151220559.html
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