Human first ship to commercial spacecraft docking with the international space station

The international space station astronauts operation is 17.7 meters of mechanical arm ready to "capture" spacecraft is realized, and the first private company spacecraft to the international space station's historic rendezvous in success.

Xinhua net Washington May 25, (reporter as) the United States space exploration technology company launch "dragon" shuttle 25 success with the international space station docking, thus becoming the first ship to visit space station commercial spacecraft.

NASA information shows that the United States eastern time 12 when two points (Beijing time 26 at 2 points), "dragon" shuttle was fixed in the space station security "harmonious" JieDianCang number. Before docking in more than two hours, the space station astronauts Donald Patty and Andre kay Perth with long about 17.7 meters of mechanical arm Canada completed the "dragon" the shuttle's "catch" action. At that time, the shuttle and the space station are operating in the earth about 400 kilometers above the over Australia.   

"" dragon" have been connected to the international space station!!! History has been create!" The california-based space exploration technology company in the butt joint through the "push," zhang said.

NASA chief Charles on bolton, said U.S. private companies have proved to the space station supply ability, it opened up a new field of commercial space, also for the United States to create new jobs. The White House office of science and technology policy director John hall darren think, docking success is a kind of important significance of science and technology achievements, is also the President Obama keep America in space leadership plan milestone.

"Dragon" shuttle high of about 6.1 meters in diameter, about 3.7 meters, 22, 500 kg goods carry launch. As planned, the space station astronauts 26 will open docking port discharge. "Dragon" spacecraft with space station will be about a week, then in 31 carrying about 600 kg load to return to earth and fell into the Pacific Ocean and recycled. After the success of the mission, space exploration technology the company is expected to gain from NASA contract worth $1.6 billion, to the space station launch 12 times freight ships.

According to the design, "dragon" adapted to transport astronauts after. Since the shuttle after retired last year, the United States to the space station transport personnel and the goods are need to "count on" Russia. Therefore, the us space agency encouraging domestic private enterprise development and the "space bus" space station, space exploration technology companies, such as the four enterprise in the competition this project.

Its first official and docking"

The United States eastern time 22 3 a.m. 44 points, beautiful space exploration technology company (SpaceX) "dragon" spacecraft in the Florida KaNaWeiLaErJiao launched, to the international space station--this is the world "private spacecraft" to the international space station's first visit to, regardless of their trip finally is perfect or not, are doomed to load the space history.

In April this year, finish the mission of the United States finally a a service the space shuttle discovery is in museums, yinde countless American space fans regrets sighs: once topped the American aerospace field, now can depend on the high aboard a Russian spacecraft to send astronauts and goods to heaven. "Dragon" the shuttle's d-will, the American people in sorrow is undoubtedly a timely of comfort. But the more important significance lies in "dragon" spacecraft to the international space station's docking. This is with the official business folk spacecraft to the international space station first docking.

According to the report, "dragon" although there is automatic docking ship design ability, but the task is not and space station strictly to be automatic docking, but close to the space station in the circumstances, the space station astronauts in the use of mechanical arm should be fixed, and then the pulled to the "harmonious" docking ports. YMCMB caps wholesale

"Dragon" shuttle program and space station a week of connection. On 31 May, complete the task of freight "dragon" spacecraft will launch the completed test items and other equipment, ran from the international space station, and eventually fall into the distance from southern California coast hundreds of miles of the Pacific Ocean, the ship by recycling salvage recovery.

The mission of the falcon 9 rocket long 48 meters, equipped with the channel 9 "grey back hawk" rocket engine. Located in the top of the rocket ship "dragon" 4.4 meters long, 3.7 meters in diameter, containing 460 kg goods, including 306 kilograms of food and other supplies, another American students design of scientific experiments project and a laptop computer.

By private enterprise of leading the launch commercial unique characteristics. Falcon 9 rocket 2 with the ashes of 308 people, including once in "interstellar get lost" television series, the reason plays James doohan, who carried out the United States and the mercury astronaut Gordon cooper plan. The service by SaiLaiSi di "memorial space" responsible for the company. Bearing the master's dream, these ashes will be on the space.

The launch has two for technical fault delayed, and shows its private start is not easy. 19 scrubbed the launch, the rocket engine ignition program has been launched, but the arrow in the computer came automatic stop command. Last weekend, the technical personnel comprehensive examination, found a security check valve problems, cause engine combustion indoor abnormal high pressure. In to replace the check valves, technical personnel and all the rocket engines to check that can launch.