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After Trip to ISS, SpaceX's Dragon Capsule Returns Safely To Earth

Posted by timothy on from the congratulations-all-around dept.

thomas.kane writes "SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft has successfully reentered and is now safely in the waters of the Pacific Ocean after more than 9 days in space. The Dragon capsule became the first commercial spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station on May 25; SpaceX is contracted by NASA for at least 12 more flights in the coming months bringing supplies to the space station and returning science done on board back to Earth." Reader MightyMartian adds a link to coverage at the BBC.

5 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. Fantastic. Now let's see NASA push further! by Sgs-Cruz · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This is fantastic news. I don't care what you think of space policy or anything, this is a good day for everybody.

    Now, let's see NASA make good on their promise to hand over LEO to the private sector so they can think about Mars and beyond!

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    Karma: pi (Mostly due to circular reasoning in posts).

    1. Re:Fantastic. Now let's see NASA push further! by Moheeheeko · · Score: 5, Interesting

      The funny thing is, SpaceX is already looking to Mars. The heat shield is designed to survive re-entry from a deep space trajectory.

  2. Re:Congratulations to the gang at SpaceX by DroolTwist · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ice Road Space Truckers.

  3. Re:Return of the Dragon by amliebsch · · Score: 5, Funny

    Re-Enter The Dragon

    --
    If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
  4. Stupid Wikipedia by Chibi+Merrow · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I read your post and immediately thought "How did he link to the Wikipedia article and not see where it mentions piloted spacecraft?" only to find out someone deleted all references to spacecraft in January with no explanation.

    You can see the previous version here.

    My understanding is that manned, piloted spacecraft are supposed to have nav lights on them. The Shuttle didn't have them because the FAA gave them a waiver and special airspace.

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    Maxim: People cannot follow directions.
    Increases in truth directly with the length of time spent explaining them