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Astronauts To Install A Parking Space For SpaceX and Boeing At The ISS (popularmechanics.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the handicap-parking dept.

Since Boeing and SpaceX will begin sending NASA astronauts into orbit next year, the International Space Station is going to need a place for them to park. Astronauts Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins will journey outside the ISS on Friday to install a new docking adapter for these two private companies. Popular Mechanics reports: "Installing these adapters is a necessary step in NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which seeks to spur development of commercial crew spacecraft. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 8:05 a.m. on Friday, and live coverage will start at 6:30. This will be Williams' fourth spacewalk, and Rubins' first." In the meantime, you can watch this video describing exactly what the spacewalk will entail.

8 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. How many quarters? by EzInKy · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can't even imagine how much change would be required to feed a meter like that. One would think that would take the bulk of the payload.

    --
    Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
    1. Re:How many quarters? by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 3, Funny

      Well, I hope that this parking space will be outfitted with a electric charging socket, which will pave the way for electric spacecraft. Critics of electric cars point out the lack of public charging opportunities.

      Otherwise, spacecraft emissions will cause outer space warming!

      Think about taking your Tesla XXX out for a Sunday drive, and then zipping up into space to the ISS Shopping Mall Food Court to grab a burger.

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    2. Re:How many quarters? by ctrl-alt-canc · · Score: 2

      It seems you could cook your burger with your Tesla...

    3. Re:How many quarters? by David_Hart · · Score: 3, Funny

      Well, I hope that this parking space will be outfitted with a electric charging socket, which will pave the way for electric spacecraft. Critics of electric cars point out the lack of public charging opportunities.

      Otherwise, spacecraft emissions will cause outer space warming!

      Think about taking your Tesla XXX out for a Sunday drive, and then zipping up into space to the ISS Shopping Mall Food Court to grab a burger.

      Electric spacecraft sucks because they are no good for towing and you can't land and take off on a planet... At least with combustion spacecraft you can visit Pluto if you want.... (grin)

  2. Fender benders? by AnotherAnonymousUser · · Score: 2

    Maybe someone in the know can answer all of this, but what's responsibility like if a country or now private entity damages the ISS with a botched docking? Are there policies governing these kinds of incidents - a you break it, you buy it kind of thing?

    1. Re:Fender benders? by Zandamesh · · Score: 4, Informative

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      "the activities of non-governmental entities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty"

      The country is responsible

      --
      Lo and behold, for I am a sig!
  3. Solution: Pay-by-phone by davidwr · · Score: 2

    I can't even imagine how much change would be required to feed a meter like that. One would think that would take the bulk of the payload.

    Solution: Pay-by-phone.

    New problem: No cell signal.

    --
    Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
  4. Why not stick with the current docking system? by hnjjz · · Score: 2

    IIRC, all current human manned space programs (ISS, Russia, and China) use the Russian docking system, making them all compatible with each other. The US space shuttles also used the Russian docking system before they were retired. Are there any significant benefits to the new docking system that makes it worth the design and installation expenses as well as the loss of compatibility?