All systems are go for a SpaceX launch.
Late last week, in an effort to further expand research opportunities aboard the International Space Station, NASA ordered its first mission from SpaceX to launch astronauts from U.S. soil in 2017.
According to NASA, this will mark the second of four guaranteed orders it makes under the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contracts. NASA gave Boeing its first crew mission in May.
"It's really exciting to see SpaceX and Boeing with hardware in flow for their first crew rotation missions," Kathy Lueders, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew program, said in a NASA press release. "It is important to have at least two healthy and robust capabilities from U.S. companies to deliver crew and critical scientific experiments from American soil to the space station throughout its lifespan."
In order for commercial companies to carry out missions, the contracts mandate that they place their orders prior to certification in support of the lead time necessary for missions in late 2017.
SpaceX's crew transportation system includes the Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket — both of which have achieved several certifications. SpaceX, founded and spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, has also advanced in design areas such as "fabrication, assembly, integration and test activities," according to NASA.
"The authority to proceed with Dragon's first operational crew mission is a significant milestone in the Commercial Crew Program and a great source of pride for the entire SpaceX team," Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO of SpaceX, said as part of NASA's announcement. "When Crew Dragon takes NASA astronauts to the space station in 2017, they will be riding in one of the safest, most reliable spacecraft ever flown. We're honored to be developing this capability for NASA and our country."
