UnmannedSpacecraft
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SpaceX Dragon capsule launch gets go signal from NASA
One small step in May is poised to turn into one giant leap for space capitalism as NASA approved the Sunday evening launch of SpaceX's Dragon capsule. The scheduled trip comes just a little over four months after the project successfully completed a docking test by the unmanned private spacecraft with the International Space Station. The Sunday flight -- dubbed CRS-1 -- will have the Dragon capsule piggybacking on a Falcon 9 rocket to punch through the atmosphere while carrying more than a thousand pounds of cargo. The capsule will then dock with the station for about three weeks before being sent back to Earth to deliver more than a ton of scientific samples and used hardware from the ISS. The launch is scheduled for 8:35PM ET from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station barring a tantrum from Mother Nature (we've also seen our share of aborted SpaceX Dragon launches before so we're keeping our proverbial fingers crossed). NASA says that Orbital Sciences' competing Cygnus spacecraft and Antares rocket will also make a demo flight later this year.[Image credit: Jim Grossmann, NASA]
SpaceX to start International Space Station cargo runs on October 7th, kick off routine private spaceflight
SpaceX just put a date on when private space travel becomes a seemingly everyday affair: October 7th. That's when the company and NASA expect to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station delivering the first of a dozen cargo loads to the International Space Station through the unmanned Dragon spacecraft. While we're not expecting any trouble -- SpaceX has done this before -- there's a chance for a rescheduled launch on October 8th if there are any minor setbacks. The flights won't achieve the cachet of government-funded runs with human beings onboard, but we're sure the company doesn't mind when it's taking steps towards democratizing spaceflight... and pocketing $1.6 billion in the process.
China launches unmanned, auto-docking spacecraft
China isn't wasting any time getting its space station ducks in a row. After launching the first piece of the Tiangong (Heavenly Palace) in late September, the country has already put its first companion craft, Shenzhou-8, into orbit alongside it. The Shenzhou is another unmanned craft, packed with a collection of 17 biological experiments. The real fun though, will begin on day three of its mission, when it attempts an automated docking with the Tiangong. Being able to send up unmanned supply vehicles has its obvious advantages, but this is only a test run -- don't expect self-piloting craft to start ferrying food and replacement parts to the ISS any time soon. After 12 days of conjoined orbiting, the Shenzhou-8 will disengage from the Tiangong and head back to Earth. Hey, maybe our astronauts can save some cash by hiding in the cargo hold of these Chinese robo-craft.
