SpaceX’s CRS-21 cargo dragon spacecraft decks with the International Space Station, now with the company’s crew Dragon Capsule Resilience (whose nose image appears at the bottom left)
NASA TV
SpaceX docked its cargo dragon capsule with the International Space Station on Monday, the first time the company has connected two spacecraft together with a lab.
The cargo dragon spacecraft for NASA’s CRS-21 mission, carrying about 6,500 pounds of research and supplies, flew over the South Indian Ocean and reached the space station. The capsule docked with ISS, which was later launched on November 15, is attached to SpaceX’s crew Dragon Spacecraft Resilience.
“Less than a month ago you docked four crew members to the International Space Station and now you’re bringing a world-class science-laden vehicle to drive. Thank you,” said NASA astronaut Kate Robbins. , Speaking from the board on the space station.
From now on, SpaceX expects at least one spacecraft to dock continuously with the International Space Station, as the company flies regular crew and cargo missions to NASA and other organizations. SpaceX is building a small fleet of its dragon capsules, with crew dragons having five variations and cargo dragon plans for three of the variations.
“Dragons everywhere you look,” said Kenny Todd, program manager at NASA’s Deputy International Space Station ahead of the CRS-21 mission.
Japanese astronaut Sochi Noguchi also does oses at the International Space Station, with SpaceX’s crew docked in the Dragon Capsule Resilience background.
NASA
In addition to the new research, the CRS-21 mission is carrying a “holiday menu” of food for astronauts, which will remain in space for several months. NASA’s festive menu includes grilled turkey, macaroni and cheese, cherry blueberry cobblers, shortbread cookies and more.
SpaceX’s cargo dragon spacecraft docks with the International Space Station during the CRS-21 mission to NASA.
NASA TV
The CRS-21 board for the space station also has a new airlock, privately funded by spaceflight infrastructure company Nanorex. Known as “Bishop Airlock”, the new hardware will be installed on the American side of the ISS, and will help astronauts recover outer fragments when replacements are needed, and solid satellites, Jetson will arrange the debris.
“Bishop will be a privately funded service that will allow NASA to pursue the agency’s goal of serving as one of the many customers for commercial services in space, expanding the low-Earth orbit market in addition to just government-provided products and services.” Release. “Bishop Airlock is the first step in building in-space infrastructure, which will be followed with demonstrations and missions for the Nanorex space outpost program.”
The installation of Nanorax Airlock is scheduled to begin on December 19, a process that will take a week.
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