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NASA via Reuters
The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is in free drift above the International Space Station as the Canadarm 2 robotic arm reaches out in preparation to grab it.
Today's arrival of a cargo spaceship at the International Space Station wasn't your typical outer-space delivery run: It was an emotional experience for many of the folks who watched NASA's webcast of the SpaceX Dragon's approach.
"I'm not going to lie, I'm a little choked up right now," Discovery News' Ian O'Neill wrote in a Twitter update. "But I suppose that happens when you watch history unfold."
The event marked the first time since the space shuttle fleet's retirement that a spaceship made in the USA linked up with the space station, and the first arrival of a private-sector ship at an orbital destination. If NASA has its way, this is what American spaceflight will look like for years to come. So take a good look at these pictures from the first Dragon flight to the space station. You'll be seeing a lot more like them.
NASA via Reuters
The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is seen with part of the International Space Station in the foreground as it holds its position 30 meters (98 feet) away.
NASA via Reuters
Flight controllers at SpaceX Mission control in Hawthorne, Calif., work with the International Space Station crew as the Dragon commercial cargo craft goes through tests in advance of its capture and berthing.
NASA TV
The thermal imager on SpaceX's Dragon cargo craft provided this image of the International Space Station from 250 meters away.
The International Space Station's robotic arm captures the SpaceX Dragon capsule.
NASA via AP
A camera on the International Space Station shows SpaceX's Dragon cargo craft, grappled by the station's robotic arm.
NASA TV via AP
The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is held in place by the space station's robotic arm.
More about the mission:
- Space station grabs a 'Dragon by the tail'
- 'Star Trek' Scotty's remains launched on SpaceX rocket
- Next steps in a new space race
- Cosmic Log archive on SpaceX
Alan Boyle is msnbc.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter or adding Cosmic Log's Google+ page to your circle. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for other worlds.
Leave a Comment:
Way to go SpaceX! USA all the way!
The arm had in large letters "CANADA" ....
Congratulations Space X ....
They made it look so easy ....
It's disappointing that the major broadcast stations didn't show the live feed in real time of the hook up ....
But they have been showing it now ....
'The arm had in large letters "CANADA"'
It was made there. It's the INTERNATIONAL space station.
As was the Shuttle manipulator arm. A little late for people to to be surprised now...
Canada got a little live feed promotional coverage today for their part in the space station ....
That's all .... "LOL"
Again , in very large letters "CANADA" ....
The real Space Age has begun!
What a real Space Age needs (SpaceX if your listening...)
SpaceX needs to actively support a community of enthusiasts with event gatherings and a touring exhibit/exhibition/conference. These events could be admission priced at break even for the effort.
The enthusiast crowd can collectively contribute money for its own launch of a space mission to do something "different". My own idea being something whimsical and imaginative, like a laser "show" from space from a capsule in LEO on a clear night, possibly onto the side of a snowy mountain in view of one of the gathering events.
Agreed! Well done SpaceX, well done!
Congrats on a successful birthing. But when will a successful docking take place? If the capture arm ever become inoperative, then what?!!!
Then they fix or replace it.
Then Joseph we will blame you. . .
Dragon could have dock on it's own but since it was the first time they felt this would be the least "dangerous" way of docking. Great job. With three other companies vi-eying for this business, it will be interesting to see what develops.
There's a hole in the bucket, Dear Liza, Dear Liza....
Bravo. Well done.
Awesome photos... Congrats to SpaceX and NASA!
Yes! Don't you think that a 2013 Space Calendar with pictures from today's big event would be awesome??? I'd buy a couple. The proceeds could go toward funding something don't you think??
ISIS ~ most definitely. I was thinking the same thing. Congratulations SpaceX Canada and NASA!!! what a joy!!
So now that we have commerce taking place outside of the earth, just who will handle any possible lawsuits? We can't say that it is a US space station either. It's international.
Depends in part on whose module a problem happens in. Seriously.
Congratulations Space X !
Elon Musk is an American hero on par with Steve Jobs.
It is really to bad the majority of meat heads in the U.S. are more interested in American idol, the Voice, or some nimrod who can throw a football/basketball.
Congradulations Mr. Musk ! You are amazing.
Well, Elon Musk is from South Africa, and Steve Jobs biological father was a green card Syrian.
Welcome to the United States. Almost everybody is recently or ancestrally from somewhere else...
I was not yet born when Man first walked on the moon, but now I know how people felt watching that occur. This is one of the truly great moments in Human history!
Soviet Union just announced Soyuz rental$$$ is now 50% off!
Good. Competition is kicking in already.
"Soviet Union just announced Soyuz rental$$$ is now 50% off!"
We had been paying Russia...or did Putin get nostalgic and I just miss the announcment?
Mr. Musk, when will you put a Tesla on Mars? I can hardly wait! You ROCK! South Africa's loss is our gain. Thanks for coming to America. We need more like you. Best wishes for a long and prosperous life.
I hope you all will forgive me for being political at a time like this, but...
If we tax the wealthy too much, things like this won't happen.
The flower of humanity should be allowed to bloom.
To a large extent that's true. Americans are naturally suspicious of concentrations of power (corporate or government), but it also takes sufficient concentrations of power, combined with vision, to do things like this.
It'll be a long time before you can 'mom and pop' your way into space...
Why even bring it up? Things like this happen because people like Elon Musk are visionary and entrepreneurial. Do you really think if his taxes were raised he wouldn't have done this? If you do you are seriously naive!
shut up witht he class war bull @!$%# . just let this be what it is and keep the politcs out it for now
I stayed up for days watching the first moon walk. I didn't stay up as long with the Dragon because the newsies didn't think it was important enough. Great project and perfect outcome. Man must risk his life in an effort to explore and understand his universe. Thank you, SpaceX!
There be Dragons flying once again, How wonderful! Our admiration to those with the vision to manifest this moment, and all those to come. Bravo!!
Very cool! I wish I worked for SpaceX. Those folks are pouring their heart and souls into this venture. Kudos to them.
Apparently no one here knows about ULA (United Launch Alliance). ULA builds and launches the Atlas and Delta rockets. They have been putting things in space for 50 years. Due to our Congress, which the Chairman of the committee for space matters has the Space X Corp office in her district, ULA was not allowed to go to the space station. ULA already has a module which will hold seven men/women and has more room than the Space X module which is not built yet. Just wanted to set the record straight. Google ULA if you do not believe me.
United Launch Alliance is Boeing and Lockheed. I doubt anyone forgot about those two. And the ULA itself has not been launching anything for 50 years. ULA is a joint venture between Lockheed and Boeing and was formed in 2006.
If you don't believe me you can Google ULA.
Actually I might know a little more about it than you think I do. My son works for ULA. I didn't explain everything perfectly, didn't mean too. You on the other hand have issues..!
To really set the record straight, they are in very early testing of the Boeing built 7 man capsule, it not ready to go into space, and was not turned down, it only hust completed its first landing from helecopter drop. It will not fly befoe 2015/2016, and unlike either of you I bring the press release please feel free to read it at.
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2247
Its all cool, really. Space X got to be the first to make it to ISS, so they get the mention in the history books. But it's really cool there are others in the wings almost ready to go. Reduces our dependence on other countries, and makes the first moves to put space travel and transport into the commercial sector, where I believe it will flourish.
All the whining about NASA and other space agencies being in decline is short-sighted. NASA was never meant to be a taxi or freight service. They should concentrate their efforts on the real visionary exploration efforts and push the envelope on the frontier of space. That's my opinion, anyways.
i am so lucky. got to see armstrong set foot on the moon, now this.it gives new meaning to breaking the surly bonds of earth.
This company got a big taxpayer handout with the assistance of NASA. Don't get this wrong, I give Space X kudos for building their capsule/rocket. In the future though, they need to launch w/o the taxpayer dollar and then it'll be a commercial venture. The USA space program was a symbol of America's greatness. That greatness has been killed. Patriot's understand this. Leeches don't!
Ummm, the taxpayer made NASA. What leech are you talking about? It would be nice to see how many consumer dollars did go into it however.
Every one of the Commercial crew companies were required to meet certain specified developmental milestones before getting paid. No milestone, no money. That's not a 'handout,' that's paying somebody to actually do something.
Not like typical cost-plus contracts where a company is almost guaranteed to make a profit, no matter how long development takes...or even if the project is completed at all.
Great achievement. The Russians or China don't have the luxury of private organizations that can do this.
This is the dawn of spaceflight for the rest of us! Elon will put millions on Mars starting in less than ten years! Go Elon! Go SpaceX!
Thank you SpaceX. This was a long time in the making and I am thrilled that it has happened. Now I'm almost positive I'll see a manned moon base before I die. Selfish me. The stuff that dreams are made of is one step closer to Star Trek reality.
now let's get off this rock!