ISS astronauts aboard the Dragon spacecraft, last Saturday morning (Photo: NASA)
Image Gallery (4 images)After making history last Friday by becoming the first private spacecraft to ever reach the International Space Station (ISS), SpaceX’s Dragon capsule was successfully boarded by ISS astronauts the following morning. The interior of the craft was reportedly in good condition, and according to astronaut Don Pettit, it smelled like a new car.
Working from the station’s Harmony module, where the Dragon is docked, Pettit opened the capsule’s exterior hatch on Saturday at 5:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time. He and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko then entered the spacecraft for initial inspections, and were joined by European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers and Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka. The men initially wore goggles and protective masks, which is a standard precaution taken when opening any craft that has just arrived at the station.
The ISS crew are now in the process of unloading 1,014 pounds (460 kg) of cargo, which was brought to the ISS aboard the Dragon. They will then load it up with approximately the same amount of gear, for it to bring back to Earth when it returns this Thursday.
An experienced freelance writer, videographer and television producer, Ben's interest in all forms of innovation is particularly fanatical when it comes to human-powered transportation, film-making gear, environmentally-friendly technologies and anything that's designed to go underwater. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he spends a lot of time going over the handlebars of his mountain bike, hanging out in off-leash parks, and wishing the Pacific Ocean wasn't so far away. All articles by Ben Coxworth
Rather surprised at the lack of comments, this a major event! REALLY! Again as Dawar said this is a giant leap
Bill Bennett29th May, 2012 @ 07:35 pm PDT
This is great can't wait for them to start asteroid mining.
Aaron Baker29th May, 2012 @ 09:19 pm PDT
This is HUGE! For the first time, a successful practical commercially developed space vehicle was docked with ISS!
Now there's a way for ISS members to get back home that's a bit more divorced from political whim. For that alone, it's a huge win.
sk8dad30th May, 2012 @ 12:32 pm PDT
Or Login with Facebook:
-
SpaceX Dragon successfully grappled by ISS
25th May, 2012
-
SpaceX Dragon to be first private spacecraft to dock at ISS
18th August, 2011
-
SpaceX planning DragonLab craft
5th November, 2008
-
SpaceX gets astronauts to try out its Dragon crew cabin
19th March, 2012
-
SpaceX Dragon proceeding smoothly towards space station
24th May, 2012
-
SpaceX makes history with successful Dragon capsule mission
9th December, 2010
Just enter your friends and your email address into the form below
For multiple addresses, separate each with a comma
Privacy is safe with us because we have a strict privacy policy.
What, no comments, this is another giant leap, just like everyone today is a walking talking broadcasting station with their smartphone.
Dawar Saify29th May, 2012 @ 01:18 pm PDT