Space News thread

[Takeovers]

The first manned mission by NASA to the ISS after the end of the Spaceshuttle is ending. The Dragon capsule has departed from the ISS last night. Splashdown near Pensacola, Florida in about 5 hours. They would usually splashdown in the Atlantic near the Cape but with a hurricane threatening there they have chosen the other coast of Florida.

Short video of departure.



planned reporting of splashdown in 5 hours. The stream has a count down timer if you open it now.




This flight is the last requirement for full certification of Dragon. Certification is expected within 4-6 weeks after successful landing.

The first regular crew flight of Dragon with 4 astronauts is expected in September. The second regular crew flight is expected in February, also with Dragon, reusing the capsule touching down today.

Boeing will not be ready to do a regular crew flight in February, so SpaceX does the first and the second regular mission. The plan with 2 contractors was that they would fly one Dragon one Starliner.