NASA SpaceX first human flight to the International Space Station in nearly a decade is a success. Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are currently onboard Dragon Space Ship, after separation from Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage 12 minutes into flight. Dragon Capsule is in stable low Earth orbit on flight trajectory to dock with the International Space Station in estimated 19 hours.
Billionaire Elon Musk’ SpaceX will have the honor of being the first private space company to launch human beings into space. Falcon 9 launched on schedule at 3:22 PM Eastern Time from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, restarting American manned spaceflight. President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, together with chairman of the National Space Council witnessed the launch.
SpaceX’s first attempt at launch on Wednesday was delayed due to inclement weather. After today’s launch, Dragon capsule must continue on its journey for estimated 19 hours till docking with the International Space Station in an intricate computer-controlled procedure and allow NASA astronauts to safely enter the ISS, though Behnken and Hurley have the ability to assume manual control if required. The docking is expected to occur at 10 AM on Sunday.
The first-stage booster of Falcon 9 autonomously landed safely after separation from second stage on SpaceX barge called “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Atlantic Ocean.
