SpaceX Completes First Successful International Space Station Flyby

SpaceX’s Dragon Capsule flew within 1.5 miles of the International Space Station on Thursday as it prepares for its historic connection the the ISS later this week. The capsule was orbiting earth at a speed of 17,000 miles per hour.

Once SpaceX completes the docking procedure it will make history as the first private firm to dock a craft with the International Space Station.

Before the space craft can dock with the ISS the capsults sensors and flight systems will be thoroughly examined by both SpaceX and NASA officials.

According to the LA Times:

“The crew aboard the station will monitor the Dragon’s fly-by and send a command to the cone-shaped capsule to turn on its strobe light.”

After the fly-under is complete the Dragon capsule will fire its engine and approach the ISS at a speed of four to six miles per hour. It will then take a full day for the station and capsule to hookup.

Once the capsule approached the International Space Station crew will then attempt to grab the Dragon with a robotic arm in the Friday pre-dawn hours.

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Tags: International Space Station, Space Travel, SpaceX

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