The day a commercial spacecraft first docked with the International Space Station
In short: In May 2012, astronauts aboard the International Space Station opened the hatch to a SpaceX Dragon vehicle. This milestone marked the first time a commercial cargo craft successfully berthed with the orbiting laboratory, initiating a new era of supply delivery and return logistics for space missions.
On May 26, 2012, Expedition 31 crew members Don Pettit, Joe Acaba, and Andre Kuipers entered the Dragon cargo craft after it arrived at the Harmony module's Earth-facing port. The mission allowed the crew to unload essential supplies before the craft was prepared for its return journey.
The process concludes with the vehicle undocking from the station to begin its descent. Upon re-entering the atmosphere, the spacecraft completes its mission by landing in the Pacific Ocean near southern California, utilizing parachutes to manage its final approach to the water.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Dragon Hatch Opened to ISS
- Also: NASA — NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Closes Dragon Hatch, Preps for Departure - NASA
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