A new revolution in Space research is about to happen in the coming few hours. On May 27th, the first-ever commercial space vehicle is yet to take off with 2 NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken. Just like we hire Taxi, Auto now we can also hire a spacecraft and travel into space. This came possible because of Tesla founder Elon Musk’s SpaceX mission. This article gives you an in-depth view of SpaceX.
What is SpaceX?
SpaceX means Space Exploration Corporation founded by Elon Musk to design, develop, manufacture, and launch advanced rockets into space. During the launch of the company, Elon Musk said that the company’s ultimate aim is to make human life possible on space and other planets. The May 27th NASA-SpaceX mission is the first-ever commercial space mission where NASA is sending to of their astronauts in SpaceX vehicle.
WHY IS NASA SENDING ASTRONAUTS THROUGH SPACEX WHEN THEY ALREADY HAVE LAUNCHING VEHICLES?
In the early 2000s, NASA has planned transport of crew to International Space Station through the Columbia space shuttle. But, during the return journey, the space shuttle broke out in 2003 killing 7 crew members and our Indian Kalpana Chawla was among them. Till then NASA has not made any attempts to go into International Space Station. They have also feared to invest in it.
But, after the launch of SpaceX, NASA made an agreement to send two of their astronauts to space. Now, NASA is paying $55 million per ride for each of the astronauts. Thus, the commercialization in the space industry started.
WHAT IS CREW DRAGON?
Crew Dragon is the spacecraft designed for the mission. It has the capacity to carry 7 passengers at a time but, the NASA space crafts can carry only 4 of them. Unlike the previous spacecraft, the Crew Dragon has all the modern amenities with the latest technology and autonomous control systems in it. During the trial session, one of the astronauts said that the seating and amenities inside the spacecraft resembles a 5 rated star hotel.
The 2 astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley have already achieved a great feat as they are named as the first-ever humans to use commercial spacecraft for their voyage. Hurley has spent a total of 28 days and 11 hours in space, while Behnken has accumulated a total of 29 days and 12 hours, including 37 hours of spacewalking time. Both men are also married to astronauts.
Let us wish them a very happy journey!
-KRISHNA (FRONTLINES MEDIA)
