SpaceX Creates History: Successfully Sends 1st Operational NASA Mission To ISS

A few months ago, we saw Elon Musk¡¯s SpaceX make history as it embarked on its first human space mission, sending astronauts to the ISS, while also signifying that SpaceX was ready to safely carry astronauts to and from the ISS.

And now, it has sent another group of NASA astronauts to the International Space Station as a part of its first operational commercial mission.

SpaceX

The launch took place from NASA¡¯s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida after it was delayed for a day due to weather conditions. The rocket will be in the orbit for around 27.5 hours before it is ready to dock with the International Space Station.

Four astronauts are a part of this revolutionary mission -- NASA astronauts Michael S Hopkins (who is on his second trip to ISS), Shannon Walker, Victor J Glover and Soichi Noguchi from the Japanese space agency. It is Noguchi¡¯s third trip to space after previously flying on the U.S. shuttle in 2005 and Soyuz in 2009. The astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon will spend six months on the international space station after returning back home in the same spacecraft.

SpaceX

Lauding the success of this launch, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement, "I am extremely proud to say we are returning regular human spaceflight launches to American soil on an American rocket and spacecraft.¡±

Astronaut Mike Hopkins, who was on his second mission to the ISS after seven years, said from Crew Dragon to SpaceX mission control about an hour after liftoff, ¡°That was one heck of a ride. There were a lot of smiles.

He added, ¡°To all the people at NASA and SpaceX, by working together through these difficult times, you¡¯ve inspired the nation the world.And now it¡¯s time for us to do our part, Crew 1 for all.¡±

The first Crew Dragon launch was successfully conducted in May, carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken (49) and Douglas Hurley to the ISS. They returned back safely to Earth on August 2nd.