{"id":8114,"date":"2019-03-03T00:34:23","date_gmt":"2019-03-03T00:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.styledeals.co.uk\/blog\/dragon-capsule-heads-for-space-station\/"},"modified":"2019-03-03T00:34:23","modified_gmt":"2019-03-03T00:34:23","slug":"dragon-capsule-heads-for-space-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.styledeals.co.uk\/blog\/dragon-capsule-heads-for-space-station\/","title":{"rendered":"Dragon capsule heads for space station"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n The instrumented test dummy will remain in the capsule throughout the mission
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The demonstration flight of America\u2019s new astronaut capsule will see it attempt to dock with the International Space Station (ISS). <\/p>\n

The Dragon vehicle, launched by California\u2019s SpaceX company on Saturday, is designed to make the attachment autonomously. <\/p>\n

It is the latest in a series of tests the capsule must pass in order to get approval from Nasa to transport people. <\/p>\n

All this particular mission is carrying is a test dummy and 90kg of supplies.<\/p>\n

The docking should occur at about 11:00 GMT.<\/p>\n

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Media caption<\/span>Watch the Dragon capsule launch to orbit atop a Falcon rocket<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Dragon will approach the 400km-high station from the front and use its computers and sensors to guide itself in.<\/p>\n

Astronauts aboard the ISS will be watching closely on HD cameras to make sure the capsule performs as it should, and be ready to intervene if it does not.<\/p>\n

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The procedure is a step up for SpaceX because the cargo ships it normally sends to the lab have to be grappled by a robotic arm and pulled into a berthing position. The freighters do not have the sophistication to dock themselves. <\/p>\n

The Dragon capsule is due to stay at the ISS until Friday when it will detach and begin the journey back to Earth. <\/p>\n

This is the phase of the mission that SpaceX founder Elon Musk says worries him the most \u2013 the fiery, high-speed descent through the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

The Dragon’s backshell, or heatshield, has a somewhat irregular shape and that could lead to temperature variations across the base of the capsule at hypersonic speeds.<\/p>\n

“It should be fine, but that’ll be a thing to make sure it works on re-entry,” said Mr Musk. <\/p>\n

“Everything we know so far is looking positive. Unless something goes wrong I should think we’ll be flying (people) this year; this summer, hopefully.”<\/p>\n

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\n Elon Musk with astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who are scheduled to make the first crewed flight
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The American space agency wants to contract out crew transport to SpaceX.<\/p>\n

Whereas in the past, Nasa engineers would have top-down control of all aspects of vehicle design and the agency would own and operate the hardware – the relationship with industry has been put on a completely new footing.<\/p>\n

Today, Nasa sets broad requirements and industry is given plenty of latitude in how it meets those demands.<\/p>\n

Agency officials still check off every step, but the approach is regarded as more efficient.<\/p>\n

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\n Artwork: The crew ship will approach the station from the front and dock automatically
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Nasa chief Jim Bridenstine said it was a new era where “we are looking forward to be being one customer, as an agency and as a country. <\/p>\n

“We’re looking forward to being one customer of many customers in a robust commercial market place in low-Earth orbit, so we can drive down costs and increase access in ways that historically have not been possible.”<\/p>\n

Nasa is also working with Boeing on crew transport. The company has developed a capsule of its own called the Starliner. This will have its equivalent demo flight in the next couple of months.<\/p>\n

Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk<\/span><\/a> and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n