SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft captured during NASA astronaut spacewalk
SpaceX’s first astronaut-tested Crew Dragon spacecraft was captured by the camera by one of two NASA astronauts who piloted it during a routine spacewalk to repair the International Orbital Space Station (ISS).
While outside the station to replace the old lithium-ion batteries charged with storing solar energy and powering the ISS during orbital night, NASA astronaut Bob Behnken was also able to take photos. Documenting the complex task that must be performed during extravehicular activities (EVA / spacewalks) is a routine and crucial part of ensuring that things go according to plan and knowing what went wrong when they don’t.
As a great side effect of that important job, some of those same photos may be less technical and more whimsical, capturing spectacular views of the orbital outpost. For the current crew, the location of the batteries that had to be replaced fortunately coincided with the location of most of the U.S. docking and docking ports, creating an opportunity for the two NASA astronauts to capture the latest incorporation into the space station.
SpaceX’s historic Crew Dragon spacecraft has spent more than a month in orbit since its debut in the astronaut launch on May 30 and the arrival of the space station on May 31. Crew Dragon is the seventh spacecraft in the US. never launching astronauts into orbit in more than half a century of human space flight, making photos of the NASA vehicle even more meaningful.
Although decidedly less significant, as of July 3, the Crew Dragon C206 capsule is also just 5-6 days from breaking SpaceX’s record for a longer orbital space flight, currently in possession of Cargo Dragon C111 and C112 after ~ 39.5 days in orbit.
In the absence of a major emergency, the Demo-2 Crew Dragon is almost guaranteed to break that record. Under current plans, the spacecraft is slated to attempt the equally critical second half of its demonstration mission to safely return NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to Earth, not before (NET) August 2nd. NASA has to balance its competitive needs for Crew Dragon to complete its Demo-2 mission as soon as possible and complete various critical maintenance tasks (several including spacewalks like the one on July 1), while the space agency has a compliment. full crew on board the ISS
When Behnken and Hurley leave the ISS in August, NASA will have a single crew member, Chris Cassidy, on board the station until SpaceX and the space agency are ready for their second Crew Dragon astronaut mission. Known as Post Certification Mission 1 (PCM-1) or Crew-1, a new Crew Dragon is slated for release. four astronauts, three from NASA and one from JAXA (Japan Space Agency), not earlier than six weeks after Demo-2 successfully splashes. If things don’t go perfectly during Crew Dragon’s first reentry, descent, and manned landing, that gap will grow significantly.
Either way, Crew Dragon C206 is likely to spend at least 60-70 days in orbit before SpaceX and NASA attempt to return Behnken and Hurley to Earth. For now, the historic Dragon spacecraft will be able to enjoy at least a few more weeks on the International Space Station.
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