The SpaceX capsule docks at ISS with an all-private astronaut crew
The historic SpaceX capsule carrying the first all-private team of astronauts was successfully docked at the International Space Station on Saturday.
About 21 hours after leaving NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Friday, the crew of three wealthy entrepreneurs and a retired NASA astronaut were welcomed on the orbit research platform. Docking was reported to be completed at 8:41 p.m.
His arrival marked the beginning of a week-long science expedition, which is being hailed as a major success in commercial space flight.
The docking of the Crew Dragon Capsule was delayed by about 45 minutes due to a technical glitch with a video feed used to monitor the capsule’s visit with the ISS, but the mission proceeded otherwise smoothly.
Houston-based startup Axiom Space Inc. The multinational team representing is planning to spend eight days in orbit. It is led by retired Spanish-born NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegaria, 63, vice president of business development.
The other three businesses paid 55 million for the ride.
The SpaceX Crew was the first all-private astronaut to be launched on the ISS.
Larry Connor, a real estate and technology entrepreneur and aerobatics aviator in Ohio, ranks second in command and works as a mission pilot. It’s in the 70’s.
The remaining Ax-1 crew includes investor-philanthropist and former Israeli fighter pilot Etan Stibbe, 64, and Canadian businessman and philanthropist Mark Pathi, 52, both working as mission specialists.
The Ax-1 team’s welcome All seven regular, government-paid crew members have already occupied the space station, including three American astronauts.
The crew includes NASA retired astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria and three private professionals who paid $ 55 million each to join the flight.
SpaceX via AP
NASA’s webcast featured four wide-eyed Axiom astronauts, smiling and wearing navy blue flight suits, headfirst headfirst, one by one, through a portal to the space station. Upon entering, he was greeted by the ISS crew with a hug and a handshake.
Lopez-Alegria then pinned the astronaut’s wings on the uniforms of their Axiom team’s three spaceflight rookies at a brief reception.
