[AstroNet] SpaceX Launches NASA Demonstration Mission to Space Station

[Maciej Soltynski]

>From NASA RELEASE: 12-161

SPACEX LAUNCHES NASA DEMONSTRATION MISSION TO SPACE STATION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second demonstration mission for NASA's 
Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program is under 
way as SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lifted off 
Tuesday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 3:44 a.m. 
EDT. 

"I want to congratulate SpaceX for its successful launch and salute 
the NASA team that worked alongside them to make it happen," NASA 
Administrator Charles Bolden said. "Today marks the beginning of a 
new era in exploration; a private company has launched a spacecraft 
to the International Space Station that will attempt to dock there 
for the first time. And while there is a lot of work ahead to 
successfully complete this mission, we are certainly off to good 
start. Under President Obama's leadership, the nation is embarking 
upon an ambitious exploration program that will take us farther into 
space than we have ever traveled before, while helping create 
good-paying jobs right here in the United States of America." 

The Dragon capsule will conduct a series of checkout procedures to 
test and prove its systems, including the capability to rendezvous 
and berth with the International Space Station. On Thursday, May 24, 
Dragon will perform a flyby of the space station at a distance of 
approximately 1.5 miles to validate the operation of sensors and 
flight systems necessary for a safe rendezvous and approach. Live 
NASA TV coverage beginning at 2:30 a.m. 

Following analysis of the flyby by NASA and SpaceX managers, the 
Dragon capsule will be cleared to rendezvous and berth with the space 
station on Friday, May 25, marking the first time a commercial 
company has attempted this feat. The Expedition 31 crew on board the 
station will use the orbiting complex's robotic arm to capture Dragon 
and install it on the bottom side of the Harmony node. NASA TV will 
provide live coverage beginning at 2 a.m. 
For up-to-date SpaceX mission information and a schedule of NASA TV 
coverage, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/spacex 
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