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Since 2011, when the Space Shuttle was retired, the US has been dependent on the Russians to launch US astronauts into space. That will finally change on May 27, 2020, when two astronauts are launched to the ISS using the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
NASA and SpaceX have set May 27 as the target launch date for the first crewed space mission to launch into orbit from U.S. soil since the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011.
NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, two veterans of the shuttle program, will ride SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit on top of a Falcon 9 rocket from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. That’s the same historic launch facility used by the last space shuttle flight.
“Once in orbit, the crew and SpaceX mission control will verify the spacecraft is performing as intended by testing the environmental control system, the displays and control system and the maneuvering thrusters, among other things,” NASA said in an update Friday. The Crew Dragon will fire its Draco thrusters to rendezvous and dock with the space station the day after launch.
“The spacecraft is designed to do this autonomously but astronauts aboard the spacecraft and the station will be diligently monitoring approach and docking and can take control of the spacecraft if necessary,” NASA said.
I think this is the one where the land the reusable rocket boosters by remote control. It is pretty cool and I am not aware of anyone else doing it.
Of course this is also noteworthy as the first private launch of humans into space and to the ISS. So this will be a pretty big day. As far as us no longer being beholden to the Russians for these launches, that is cause for celebration as well.
Retiring the shuttle program with nothing even in the works to replace it and depending on the Russians was a mistake in my book.
The space program is pretty important in my book. Didnt and still dont understand Obama's reasoning. I guess he just saw it as a military budget cut. Even though much of the shuttles mission was non military.
It certainly saw its share if military use. But it had a big R&D role as well. IDK. But it's gone. I'll have to read up a bit on this new system.
Retiring the shuttle program with nothing even in the works to replace it and depending on the Russians was a mistake in my book.
The space program is pretty important in my book. Didnt and still dont understand Obama's reasoning. I guess he just saw it as a military budget cut. Even though much of the shuttles mission was non military.
It certainly saw its share if military use. But it had a big R&D role as well. IDK. But it's gone. I'll have to read up a bit on this new system.
There are going to be at least three new systems, once everything comes in line. It could eventually be even more.
In addition to this SpaceX craft, NASA has its SLS/Orion capsule platform almost finished and Boeing is developing it's Starliner platform, all of which are expected to launch Americans into space for NASA.
Retiring the shuttle program with nothing even in the works to replace it and depending on the Russians was a mistake in my book.
The space program is pretty important in my book. Didnt and still dont understand Obama's reasoning. I guess he just saw it as a military budget cut. Even though much of the shuttles mission was non military.
It certainly saw its share if military use. But it had a big R&D role as well. IDK. But it's gone. I'll have to read up a bit on this new system.
I think the decision to end the shuttle program was made by GWB, not Obama. I agree, huge mistake.
Excellent news. The space program is a tremendous display of pride and accomplishment in what our great country can accomplish using cutting-edge science and technology. Another piece of GREAT news today!
It has taken us longer to duplicate what we did in the 60's than it did for us to do it in the first place. Kind of reminds me of the Soviets reverse engineering the B-29.
For 9 years we have swallowed our pride. Hat in hand. Head bowed. Asked our enemies to safely put our people in space. Yeah that is also part of the Obama legacy .
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