Elon Musk's SpaceX Docks Crew Capsule In Space Station, Showing Its Ready For Human Missions

Over the weekend, SpaceX launched its Crew Dragon astronaut capsule into space atop a Falcon 9 rocket.

Yesterday, the capsule successfully docked with the International Space Station, marking a historic achievement for the private space company.

The capsule was unmanned for the flight, but it wasn't entirely without risks. The Crew Dragon wasn't using the robotic arm on the ISS to navigate the docking, and it didn't have a backup method. So there was a possibility it would fail, maybe even damaging the space station.

That's why Roscosmos didn't approve the plans until a few days ago. Their stipulation was having a couple more hatches closed and having the astronauts ready to board the Soyuz capsule in case of an emergency evacuation.

Also Read: Elon Musk Hints That He Might Be Going To The Moon Before Mars On The SpaceX Rocket

However, everything went exactly as NASA and SpaceX had planned, with the capsule docking beautifully. Though it's not the first time SpaceX has docked with the ISS, they've previously always relied on the robotic arm. "It was super exciting to see it," Bob Behnken, one of the two astronauts testing the capsule later this year, told the BBC. "I know you heard the applause and all the clapping that went along with the accomplishment today and so it's just one more milestone that gets us ready for our flight coming up here."

Once the Crew Dragon docked with the ISS, the astronauts there were able to board the craft and inspect it. And in four days, the spacecraft will detach and make its way back to Earth, completing the test.

.@AstroAnnimal welcomes humans aboard the first @SpaceX #CrewDragon to visit the station and introduces two special guests, Ripley and Little Earth, ushering in the era of @Commercial_Crew. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/QqzEEgDWzt

¡ª Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) March 3, 2019

This is a huge achievement for both SpaceX and NASA. For the former, this success could mean they're flying astronauts up to the space station by the end of the year, and eventually Mars. And for NASA, SpaceX's progress means it could finally retire the space shuttle, as well as stop relying on Russian rockets to carry crew.