The first commercial spacecraft flight history: The only return cargo ship

The first commercial spacecraft flight history: The only return cargo ship

SpaceX Dragoncraft is gradually approaching the International Space Station so that the manipulator on the space station can capture and transfer it to the corresponding docking platform.


SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket, carrying a Dragon spacecraft, was launched from Cape Canaveral’s launch site.


The interior of the Dragon spacecraft. This is a photograph taken by opening the hatch after it was docked with the International Space Station.

Beijing time on June 8 news, according to NASA website report, on May 31, the United States space exploration technology company (SpaceX) completed its historic feat - the company developed the world's first commercial spacecraft "Long" After completing the docking mission with the International Space Station, it safely returned to Earth and splashed on the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

This is a historic moment. The first human spacecraft developed by civilian private agencies has fulfilled the task of transporting shuttles between international space stations. In the next few months, the impact of this feat will gradually begin to manifest. At that time, the company will begin to assume the task of regularly transporting supplies to the International Space Station based on contracts signed between NASA. In the next few years, the astronauts will be further transported to and from the International Space Station.

Elon Musk is the company's founder and chief executive. He is also the chief designer of the California-based space exploration technology company, SpaceX. He said: "We hope to continue cooperation with NASA and we expect that we will assume the mission of carrying people within the next three years. This is a crucial step that will allow humans to move closer to other planets."

During the company’s careful preparation for this test-based unmanned launch mission, NASA’s engineers participated throughout and worked closely with SpaceX’s technical staff. Mike Suffredini, project manager of NASA's International Space Station, said: "As a country, we are proud of this." He said: "We can build on this company's ability to build up over the years. They combined these experiences with the innovative spacecraft design process and successfully established a capable team. Both SpaceX and NASA benefited from the cooperation.”

According to NASA’s "Commercial Rail Transport Service Project" program (COTS), SpaceX will complete two separate flight goals. The first is to fly to and dock with the International Space Station. SpaceX has already reached an agreement with NASA. The spacecraft will maintain long-term docking with the space station until all relevant tests have been completed.

On May 22 at 3:44 a.m. (16:44 GMT), SpaceX used the company's Falcon-9 rocket to launch the Dragon. In the exact launch window, SpaceX's staff had achieved a perfect launch. The rocket was carrying a "Dragon" spacecraft from the launch pad 40 of the Cape Canaveral launch site and lifted to the International Space Station.

After arriving at space, Long Spacecraft quickly began a long series of tests, including the first test using a small segment installed at the bottom of the spacecraft. This small cabin has two solar sails installed on it, which will provide energy for the spacecraft. During the mission, this compartment can be used to load cargo inside. It can be freely opened and exposed to the external space environment. As the Dragon spacecraft approached the International Space Station, its hatches were automatically opened as planned, exposing its internally installed navigation equipment and other hardware that would help lock the space station's position and guide the spacecraft closer to the target.

The first attempt to approach the space station took place 3 days after the spacecraft took off, when the Dragon spacecraft gradually approached the space station and the distance between them was not more than 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers). A large number of tests were conducted on the spacecraft and communication tests were continuously conducted between the spacecraft and the space station.

The astronaut Don Pettit of the International Space Station then maneuvered the 32-foot-long robotic arm on the space station on Friday, May 25th, the "Canadarm 2". The first "close contact" between the two - when the Dragon spacecraft hovered near the space station, the robotic arm of the space station accurately grasped it.

Astronauts on the space station then reported to the Space Administration Center of Houston, Houston, and SpaceX's headquarters in California via radio: "Look! We'll catch the dragon tail!" Petit then guides the Dragon spacecraft to turn to the Harmony section above the earth. One side of the interface, and another space station astronaut Joe Acaba (Joe Acaba) successfully controlled the spacecraft to achieve docking with the spacecraft. The astronauts then unloaded the cargo from the Longship during the weekend, and used the equipment on the Dragonship to bring it back to Earth. The Dragon spacecraft is by far the only type of cargo spacecraft designed to transport cargo back to Earth. Other cargo spacecraft are designed to be burned in the atmosphere on return.

Petit told reporters: "We all know the role of the long intercontinental railway line extending to the western United States for the development of the west. It was a major project driven by the gold rush. Today, this is similar. No one remembers who laid the foundation, but its construction is of great significance and will be remembered by people."

On the 31st day a few days later, Petite carried out the reverse operation procedure - detaching the Dragon spacecraft from the interface and releasing it into space again. Everything went according to plan. Dragon spacecraft opened the thruster and gradually left the space station. Afterwards, the additional space segment of the Dragon spacecraft was separated and burned in the atmosphere with the solar panels installed above, while the return tank adjusted its attitude, aiming the heat shield at the earth and rushing into the atmosphere. With the help of a parachute, the Dragon spacecraft splashed into the waves of the Pacific Ocean west of the California peninsula.

Musk stated that this ambitious task will help to eliminate people’s concerns about the company’s rocket and spacecraft technology and future plans. He said: "We can understand people's concerns about whether we can succeed because we have done unprecedented things. However, the achievements we have demonstrated today are enough to eliminate these doubts. Therefore, I hope people will take away their worries from now." Morning breeze

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