The first private company in the United States launched astronauts into space

SpaceX Elon Musk for the first time sent astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Crew Dragon ship. The launch from the American spaceport took place at 22 hours 20 minutes Moscow time.

Two experienced astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley went to the ISS. It is assumed that the docking of Crew Dragon with the space station will occur on May 31. Astronauts will stay on the ISS for several months and then return home, according to RIA Novosti.

At the moment, it is known that the first and second stages of the launch vehicle have successfully separated, one of them has already landed on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship itself is now in orbit.

Since 2011, American astronauts, after completing the Shuttle launches, reached the ISS on Russian spacecraft, resemble Vesti. NASA believes that the successful completion of the Crew Dragon flight into space will allow us to talk about a new era of space exploration. It is assumed that the aircraft can be used for flight several times.

Nasa SpaceX Crew Dragon

Onboard are Bob Benken and Doug Hurley. It is planned that the ship will dock to the ISS on Sunday. The astronauts have not yet chosen return date.

At the moment, the first and second stages have successfully separated from the rocket. At the same time, the first one has already landed on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship entered orbit and continued its independent flight to the station.

Initially, the launch was planned on June 27, but weather conditions prevented the launch.

This is the first US manned flight since 2011 and the first space flight of a private company with people on board.

In manned flights, the National Agency interacts with SpaceX and Boeing. Previously, these companies created and tested unmanned spacecraft.

The successful mission of Crew Dragon will not only allow Boeing to overtake this race but will also determine NASA’s future strategy for working with private companies.