1st private cargo run to space station now May 19

May 06, 2012

(AP) -- A private U.S. company has set a new date for launching a cargo ship to the International Space Station.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., better known as SpaceX, said Friday it was now aiming for a May 19 liftoff of its Falcon rocket and Dragon capsule. It will be the first commercial cargo run to the space station.

The launch of the supply ship had been scheduled for Monday but was delayed for more software testing. The test flight is already three months late.

used to stockpile the space station through the shuttles, but the fleet was retired last summer. The wants commercial providers to carry up supplies and eventually astronauts.

In the meantime, NASA is paying Russia to ferry astronauts to the space station.

Explore further: Communications satellite launched into space

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Vendicar_Decarian
5 / 5 (1) May 07, 2012
Gosh, I hope this non-man rated resupply ship doesn't crash into the space station.
antialias_physorg
5 / 5 (1) May 07, 2012
They'll have an approach program similar to the one used for the the first ESA ATV. Two approaches over a total of four days.

But whereas the ATV docked with its automatics the Dragon capsule will be docked using the Canadarm robotic arm on the ISS.

I hope they make it. It would be a great step forward.

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