SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft to Make Historical Flight to International Space Station

In a statement, NASA announced that February 7th is the target launch date for the Dragaon Spacecraft developed by Space Exploration Technologies’ (SpaceX). Once a final safety review and additional testing and verification are complete, SpaceX will launch the Dragon on a mission to become the first commercial vehicle to rendezvous and dock with the International Space Station (ISS).

“SpaceX has made incredible progress over the last several months preparing Dragon for its mission to the space station,” said William Gerstenmaier, NASA’s associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. “We look forward to a successful mission, which will open up a new era in commercial cargo delivery for this international orbiting laboratory.”

Among the tests to be performed during this initial flight to the ISS for SpaceX will be a fly-by of the space station. The bly-by is to confirm that the sensors and flight systems necessary for a safe rendezvous with the space station are functioning and calibrated properly. Additionally, the Dragon spacecraft will demonstrate its ability to abort the rendezvous, if needed.

After the Dragon comes within range of the ISS, the space station crew will use the station’s robotic arm to capture the spacecraft. The mission will end with a splashdown in the Pacific off the coast of California as the Dragon returns to Earth.

“SpaceX is excited to be the first commercial company in history to berth with the International Space Station. This mission will mark a historic milestone in the future of spaceflight,” said SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell. “We appreciate NASA’s continued support and their partnership in this process.”

More information on SpaceX or the Dragon spacecraft, are available at http://www.spacex.com.