Elon Musk's SpaceX hopes to make history by ferrying two NASA astronauts into space, the first crewed flight from US soil in nine long years.
In the beginning, everyone was skeptical. But Elon Musk's SpaceX defied expectations -- and on Wednesday hopes to make history by ferrying two NASA astronauts into space, the first crewed flight from US soil in nine long years.
NASA's Commercial Crew program, aimed at developing private spacecraft to transport American astronauts in to space, began under Barack Obama. In the 22 years since the first components of the ISS were launched, only spacecraft developed by NASA and by the Russian space agency have carried crews there.
But it was only ever meant to be a temporary arrangement. NASA had entrusted two private companies -- aviation giant Boeing and upstart SpaceX -- with the task of designing and building capsules that would replace the shuttles. The weather forecast remains unfavorable, with a 60 percent chance of bad conditions, according to Cape Canaveral forecasters.The launch has taken five years longer than planned to come about, but even with the delays SpaceX has beaten Boeing to the punch.
"There was huge skepticism," Hubbard, who met Musk before the creation of SpaceX and also chairs a SpaceX safety advisory panel, recalled.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US accuses China of blocking US flights, demands actionWASHINGTON: The US government late on Friday (May 22) accused the Chinese government of making it impossible for US airlines to resume service to ...
Read more »
US: Wall St opens flat on simmering US-China tensions[NEW YORK] US stocks opened flat on Friday as investors pitted hopes of more stimulus to revive an ailing economy against deteriorating US-China relations over Beijing's move to impose a national-security law in Hong Kong. Read more at The Business Times.
Read more »
US accuses China of blocking US flights, demands actionWASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The US Transportation Department late on Friday (May 22) accused the Chinese government of making it impossible for US air carriers to resume service to China and ordered Chinese air carriers to file flight schedules with the US government.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Nasa gives go-ahead for first crewed SpaceX flight on May 27WASHINGTON (AFP) - Nasa said on Friday (May 22) that it has given the green light to next week's launch of two astronauts aboard a SpaceX vessel - the first crewed space flight to leave from US soil in nine years.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
US says Beijing’s new proposal undermines Hong Kong’s semi-autonomy, with Donald Trump vowing to respond ‘very strongly’ if it’s enactedThe US State Department accused China on Thursday of turning its back on commitments to keep Hong Kong semi-autonomous, after Beijing announced it was proposing national security legislation that would effectively limit opposition activity there.“We urge Beijing to honour its commitments and obligations
Read more »
US charges ousted Hollywood executive with defrauding pandemic loan program, BlackRock fundU.S. prosecutors have charged the recently ousted owner of a Hollywood movie distributor with defrauding a federal coronavirus emergency relief ...
Read more »