The success of the second demonstration of Crew Dragon will bring immense respect and glory to the private space company, SpaceX. The two NASA astronauts, Douglas Hurley and Bob Behnken took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday. If Demo-2 becomes successful, Elon Musk’s company will be the first private organization to send astronauts into space.
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The prestigious moment
After ten long years, America made a big move in the aerospace sector. SpaceX has been working on this mission for more than two decades now. Finally, the take-off was successful sending humans on a private company vehicle. The automated spacecraft on which they set off their journey to space is called the Crew Dragon. This spacecraft is a gumdrop-shaped capsule that will transfer humans to and from International Space Station.
The astronauts began their journey at 3:22 PM EDT on last Saturday. The launch took place from Launch Complex 39A in NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It was supposed to take place on 27th May but was delayed due to bad weather. Twelve minutes after the launch, Falcon 9 dropped the Crew Dragon along with the duo in the orbit. According to the plan, they will spend the next day in the orbit followed by docking with the International Space Station.
Success of SpaceX
It is a huge deal for a private company to design a spacecraft and carry out a successful take-off. The entire nation of America is looking up to SpaceX with plenty of hope. This might be the company to turn the wheel for the future of spaceflight and begin a new era. Elon Musk and his company have worked diligently to make this moment come true.
NASA also enlisted another company, Boeing to design and develop a new spacecraft that will be versatile enough to take astronauts to and from ISS. But, it seems like SpaceX didn’t give up on the mission and emerged out as the first company to make it possible. Demo-2 is the last test to check if Crew Dragon is capable of carrying out regular human spaceflight operations. Till now, Russia’s Soyuz rocket is the only successful vehicle to transfer astronauts to and from ISS. So, the people of the United Nation are praying immensely for this to be a success.
Demo-1 Mission
The first demonstration of Crew Dragon known as Demo-1 Mission took place in March 2019. But, the first test didn’t have humans on board. The spacecraft took off successfully docked with the ISS and returned safely on Earth. This was also a breakthrough as the Crew Dragon became the first American automated spacecraft to travel safely to and from ISS.
Douglas Hurley and Bob Behnken
Before becoming the spacecraft commander for Demo-2, Douglas was a fighter pilot and a test pilot. He worked with the US Marine Corps and decided to join NASA in 2000. Apart from the launch of Crew Dragon, Douglas has been to space twice (2009 & 2011).
Bob is a veteran Air Force test pilot. He has completed two space shuttle flights in 2008 & 2010 respectively. His main responsibility in the Demo-2 Mission is docking and undocking.
The Commercial Crew Program and Crew Dragon
The expense of NASA was high to get access to a single seat on Soyuz. This made NASA come up with The Commercial Crew Program which also extended corporation with the private sector. NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine said that this will welcome a new beginning giving more people access to human spaceflight.
The Crew Dragon is designed in such a way that it will automatically dock with the ISS. But, the capsule is also provided with manual touchscreen monitors to try things manually. The docking was scheduled at 10:20 AM EDT on Monday. The astronauts will land back on Earth within the next six to sixteen weeks. The capsule is equipped with four parachutes which will lower the vehicle on the Atlantic Ocean. A SpaceX recovery boat will approach them from there.
Is it only the trailer?
If this mission is successful, it will mark the journey of SpaceX in human spaceflight. NASA will certify the Crew Dragon for carrying out regular human transfer operations to and from ISS. The next launch is planned for 30th August which will include four astronauts. SpaceX is also working on a new monster rocket called Starship. It looks like SpaceX will take mankind on many unexplored space journeys. Until then, may the force be strong with them!
Annasha Dey is an NIT student, who apart from studying engineering is also a content writer. She has a great interest in photography, writing, reading novels, and travelling as well. She is a foodie who loves socializing and hanging out with her friends. She is also a trained Kathak dancer and a big fashion enthusiast. Dey also loves watching TV series, which includes F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Big Bang Theory. To be a better writer she prefers to read more