Fri, Dec 04, 2009
ISS Astronauts Learn Station Berthing Techniques For Cargo
Transport
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) recently conducted its
first Dragon spacecraft operations training for a group of NASA
astronauts and personnel at its corporate headquarters in
Hawthorne, California. The October training focused on how the crew
will interface with the Dragon spacecraft while it is approaching
and berthed to the International Space Station (ISS). Three of the
participating astronauts-Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Shannon Walker and
Douglas Wheelock-will be on board the ISS when Dragon makes its
first visit under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
(COTS) program.
The astronauts were briefed on vehicle ingress and egress,
habitability of the spacecraft, payload handling and commanding
through SpaceX's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS)
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Communication Unit. The training was a
key step in SpaceX's progress towards providing NASA an alternative
for cargo transport to and from the ISS when the Space Shuttle
retires.
"This was the first time the NASA astronauts who will interact
with Dragon during its early missions were actually inside a Dragon
flight vehicle," said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO, SpaceX. "SpaceX was
honored to host the ISS crew for this preliminary training
exercise, and we look forward to serving NASA further under the
COTS program and CRS contracts."
Also in attendance were NASA astronauts Marsha Ivins and Megan
McArthur, as well as other key NASA personnel from the NASA
Astronaut Office and Mission Operations Directorates.
Under the COTS program, SpaceX will execute three flights of the
Dragon spacecraft. Dragon will pass in close proximity to, and
berth with, the ISS as part of the second and third COTS missions,
respectively. Upon completion of these demonstration flights,
SpaceX will begin to fulfill the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS)
contract for 12 cargo flights between 2010 and 2015 and represents
a guaranteed minimum of 20,000 kg to be carried to the ISS.
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