Dragon to the Rescue?

dragon_spacex SpaceX has introduced a new spacecraft, called “DragonLab”. They bill it as “a Free-Flying, Reusable Spacecraft Offering Fast Track to Orbital Flight for Pressurized and Unpressurized Payloads.”

Low Cost SpaceLab

But what can it do? It can be used as an orbital laboratory to conduct experiments in space. Interesting.

But even more interesting is the previously announced “Dragon” spacecraft, which may offer a bridge between the retiring shuttle and the new Ares-Orion manned space vehicle. (see earlier article.)

A Private Vehicle to Send Astronauts into Orbit

Because Dragon should be ready sooner, and it will be capable of sending supplies and astronauts to the international space station. And SpaceX also produces the launch vehicle, Falcon 9.

So, while the commercial possibilities of DragonLab will “wow” companies who want to launch experiments at low-cost, us space buffs will keep our eyes glued to Dragon.

Could former NASA administrator Griffin’s mantra “cheaper, faster, better” be making a comeback? Perhaps the idea wasn’t wrong, just the execution. In any case, innovators like SpaceX seem to be making this new space age something to watch.

Audio of ISS crew: Debris problem.

An errant bit of space debris approached the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this week—with the possibility of a deadly impact on the station. Although ground controllers considered this an low-probability event, they acted cautiously. They instructed the crew to move into the Soyuz spacecraft (which is docked at the ISS), for a possible emergency [...]

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Safety panel supports (nearly cancelled) Ares I

The Augustine Commission is recommending cancellation of the Ares I rocket—which NASA spent hundreds of millions of dollars on as its future manned orbital launcher (for earth-orbital missions.) This is supposed to save money. Instead, that group advised NASA to alter and use an existing commercial rocket—developed by the employers of commission members—which is not [...]

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Battle over NASA’s future

As 2010 begins, the future of NASA—especially its manned flight program—is a big question mark. The Augustine Commission, composed largely of people connected to the biggest aerospace companies, have provided some options for President Obama to consider. They have also cast doubt on the new Ares launcher–which NASA has been developing for future manned missions. [...]

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Dragon to the Rescue?

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Audio of ISS crew: Debris problem.

Safety panel supports (nearly cancelled) Ares I

Battle over NASA’s future