Since 2011, the only way into space (and the International Space Station) has been by paying for a ride on the Russian Soyuz rockets - the same vehicle that Britain's Tim Peake went to the ISS on 3 years ago.
Having watched many of the Apollo and shuttle launches, the countdown always gets me - the last couple of minutes seems to go so quickly, and the 10 second countdown at liftoff makes my skin tingle - the don't have that countdown in Russia with the Soyuz - they just go at the anointed time
Additionally, the vehicle used today, the Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon capsule is designed and built by Space X the company opened by the controversial Elon Musk. Thus, it's a commercial undertaking, albeit in partnership with NASA, and provides a route for commercial expeditions to the ISS and beyond in future. The technology used is incredible on a number of fronts. It was remarkable to see the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket return to earth and land with precision, upright on a drone platform in the ocean, enabling it to be re-used for future flights. This is now fairly standard Space X Falcon procedure but it's still amazing to see it happen. The astronauts have futuristic suits and helmets unlike anything seen before except perhaps in movies, and most of their controls in the Dragon capsule are touch screen
After the first launch scrubbed on Wednesday due to the weather, today's countdown and liftoff was perfect. The two astronauts now have a 19 hour journey to the ISS, where they'll spend around 120 days before returning to earth.
With worldwide travel pretty restricted, these tow astronauts have had the ride of their life today, and can no go and self isolate in the ISS for four months. Hopefully by the time they return, things will be a little bit better on this planet.
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| Image: NASA |
Until tomorrow....
#isolationlife
#stayhomesavelives
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