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SpaceX capsule returns with safe landing in Pacific | SpaceX capsule returns with safe landing in Pacific |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A space capsule has returned to Earth, ending the first commercially contracted re-supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). | A space capsule has returned to Earth, ending the first commercially contracted re-supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). |
The capsule was sent by the California-based company SpaceX, the first of 12 missions it will perform for US space agency Nasa. | The capsule was sent by the California-based company SpaceX, the first of 12 missions it will perform for US space agency Nasa. |
It landed in the Pacific Ocean west of Mexico at 12:22 local time (19:22 GMT). | It landed in the Pacific Ocean west of Mexico at 12:22 local time (19:22 GMT). |
Nasa is looking to the private sector to assume routine transport duties to and from low-Earth orbit. | Nasa is looking to the private sector to assume routine transport duties to and from low-Earth orbit. |
The robotic Dragon ship lifted off on 7 October, with 400kg of food, clothing, experiments and spares for the orbiting platform's six astronauts, and docked three days later. | |
On its return, the capsule carried broken machinery and medical samples gathered by the astronauts aboard the ISS over the course of the past year. | On its return, the capsule carried broken machinery and medical samples gathered by the astronauts aboard the ISS over the course of the past year. |
SpaceX's next mission is expected in January, although the company will need to satisfy Nasa before then that the cause of an engine anomaly experienced by Dragon's launch rocket during its 7 October ascent has been understood, and that corrective action has been taken. | |
New destinations | New destinations |
Nasa has given SpaceX a $1.6bn contract to keep the ISS stocked with essentials, restoring a re-supply capability that the US lost when it retired its shuttles last year. | |
The terms of the contract kicked in following a successful test of Dragon's systems in May. | The terms of the contract kicked in following a successful test of Dragon's systems in May. |
That demonstration saw the capsule berth with the ISS - the first commercially designed and built vehicle to do so - and then return safely to Earth. | That demonstration saw the capsule berth with the ISS - the first commercially designed and built vehicle to do so - and then return safely to Earth. |
Nasa hopes a second company can also soon begin operational cargo deliveries to the station. | Nasa hopes a second company can also soon begin operational cargo deliveries to the station. |
The Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) will shortly test its new Antares rocket before undertaking its own ISS demonstration with a robotic vessel called Cygnus. | The Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) will shortly test its new Antares rocket before undertaking its own ISS demonstration with a robotic vessel called Cygnus. |
If that mission - tipped to take place next year - goes well, it will trigger a $1.9bn contract for Orbital. | If that mission - tipped to take place next year - goes well, it will trigger a $1.9bn contract for Orbital. |
Nasa's aim is eventually to put astronaut transport in the hands of the private sector too. | Nasa's aim is eventually to put astronaut transport in the hands of the private sector too. |
SpaceX says it is just a few years away from being able to provide an astronaut "taxi" service. | SpaceX says it is just a few years away from being able to provide an astronaut "taxi" service. |
Nasa's policy of outsourcing its cargo and crew transport needs is intended to find savings that can be ploughed back into building a rocket and capsule system capable of taking humans to more challenging destinations. | Nasa's policy of outsourcing its cargo and crew transport needs is intended to find savings that can be ploughed back into building a rocket and capsule system capable of taking humans to more challenging destinations. |
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