Tag: Crew Dragon
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SpaceX’s first space-worthy Crew Dragon capsule arrives at Cape Canaveral
The Crew Dragon spacecraft slated to fly on SpaceX’s first commercial crew orbital test flight, without astronauts on-board, arrived at Cape Canaveral this week. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX’s first Crew Dragon spacecraft, a capsule designed to eventually carry astronauts on treks to the International Space Station, has arrived at Cape Canaveral to begin preparations for launch…
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New helium tank for SpaceX crew launches still waiting to fly
Credit: SpaceX SpaceX is still working on a new, safer helium tank design needed for launches with astronauts, and the debut of the company’s upgraded Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket earlier this month did not count as one of seven successful missions in “crew configuration” NASA says it requires before putting astronauts aboard the vehicle,…
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Photos: Bangabandhu 1 launched by upgraded Falcon 9 rocket
SpaceX’s upgraded Falcon 9 rocket debuted May 11 with a successful launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying the Bangabandhu 1 communications satellite. The Falcon 9 Block 5 launcher lifted off from pad 39A at 4:14 p.m. EDT (2014 GMT) on May 11 to mark SpaceX’s ninth mission of the year. The “Block…
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SpaceX debuts new model of the Falcon 9 rocket designed for astronauts
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifts off Friday from launch pad 39A. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX debuted a more reusable, higher-thrust model of the Falcon 9 rocket Friday, hauling Bangladesh’s first communications satellite into orbit from Florida’s Space Coast. The successful launch propelled SpaceX closer to launching astronauts for NASA, which will fly on the same “Block…
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NASA could extend space station stays as hedge against commercial crew delays
File photo of acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot. Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani NASA is working with the Russian space agency to potentially extend crew stays on the International Space Station, the agency’s acting administrator said last week, as a cushion against expected delays in the development of commercial crew capsules by Boeing and SpaceX. Robert Lightfoot,…
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Lawmakers question safety, schedule for Boeing/SpaceX commercial crew ships
STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS & USED WITH PERMISSION Astronaut Eric Boe examines hardware during a tour of the SpaceX’s headquarters facility in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX Boeing and SpaceX hope to launch commercial crew ferry ships on long-awaited test flights later this year, but both companies face major challenges getting the spacecraft certified before late 2019…
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Engine for upgraded Falcon 9 rocket explodes on test stand
File photo of a Merlin engine on a test stand in McGregor, Texas. Credit: SpaceX A Merlin engine designed for the version of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket that will carry astronauts into orbit for NASA failed during testing Saturday in Texas, but the company said its upcoming launches will not be affected by the mishap.…
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Anticipating upgraded spaceships, SpaceX builds final first-generation Dragon cargo craft
File photo of a Dragon spacecraft at SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX The Dragon supply ship set for liftoff from Florida next month was the last of SpaceX’s first-generation cargo capsules off the production line, meaning future logistics deliveries to the International Space Station will fly on recycled spacecraft until a new Dragon…
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Propulsive landings nixed from SpaceX’s Dragon spaceship
Artist’s concept of SpaceX’s Red Dragon spacecraft. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX’s upgraded Dragon capsules will not return astronauts to Earth for powered landings as originally envisioned, company boss Elon Musk said Wednesday, a design change that raises questions about the space transport firm’s plans to send commercial landers to the surface of Mars. Musk cited safety…
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SpaceX to send two private citizens around the moon and back
Updated at 6:15 p.m. EST (2315 GMT) with details. An Apollo astronaut took this image of the Earth above the lunar horizon. Credit: NASA SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk announced Monday plans to send two paying “private individuals” on a week-long flight around the moon and back to Earth by the end of…