SpaceX’s next trip to the International Space Station (ISS) is set for August 28, confirmed NASA. The announcement comes right after SpaceX rival Boeing failed to launch its Starliner. This will be the space agency’s 23rd commercial resupply services mission, with SpaceX ready to send loads of supplies and scientific equipment to the space outpost.
SpaceX again beating Boeing in space race
This also clears the fact that NASA’s Commercial Crew Program will move forward without Boeing. The private space firm wanted to demonstrate that its Starliner CST-100 spacecraft is capable of reaching, docking the ISS, and returning to Earth safely. However, the OFT-2 mission had to be delayed at the last moment due to issues with the spacecraft’s valves.
As for SpaceX, the company will be sending many supplies for the science experiments. It will ferry a new microgravity robotic arm developed by GITAI Japan that will be placed inside the pressurized Bishop Airlock. If things go as planned, the new arm will be a part of a robot design that might someday work on spacecraft, space outposts, and even deep-sea environments on Earth.
NASA and SpaceX working closely
Recently, SpaceX and Elon Musk showed off that the first “full-stack” Starship prototype. The spacecraft is about to complete its testing in Texas. “29 Raptor engines and 4 grid fins have been installed on Super Heavy ahead of first orbital flight,” SpaceX tweeted Monday with photos.
Super Heavy is a huge booster built to allow Starship to get out of Earth’s gravity. Until now, the company only showed off Starship prototypes lift off on their own. To make it to orbit, the booster has to enter the equation.
Speaking of NASA and SpaceX partnership, the private firm might also design spacesuits for NASA’s Artemis mission. NASA might not be able to meet the deadlines of its mission, and there’s a possibility that it will seek help from private space companies. SpaceX already has spacesuits that were used during several missions to space; however, they aren’t designed for extra-vehicular spacewalks. NASA has already asked private firms to design a suit that could be ready by 2024.
