In the late evening of Central European time, NASA plans to send astronauts to the ISS from the United States for the first time in nine years – on board the “Crew Dragon” space capsule from the private company SpaceX.
By Ute Spangenberger, SWR
Today is a special day in the history of US space travel. In 2011 astronauts had started for the ISS from the USA for the last time. At that time, NASA had discontinued the Space Shuttle program for cost reasons. All astronauts who have flown to the ISS since then have had to rely on Russia, including the astronauts of the European Space Agency. German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst flew to the ISS in 2014 and 2018 with a Russian Soyuz capsule.
Former astronaut and ESA coordinator Thomas Reiter rates it as follows: “If you consider how long the USA had to do without the possibility of sending astronauts to the ISS from its own ground, this is a very important moment for them NASA and also for the American self-image. The fact that this is a commercial astronaut mission for the first time makes this start a milestone in my view. “
Cooperation with SpaceX
The two US astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are now to launch on board the “Crew Dragon” space capsule with a “Falcon 9” rocket from the Cape Canaveral spaceport. Both the rocket and the capsule are from SpaceX. The company was founded in 2002 by the American billionaire Elon Musk.
After the United States discontinued its shuttle program at the beginning of the decade, NASA worked with private space companies to provide manned space access for the United States again. As part of the “Commercial Crew Program”, private space companies were able to develop privately operated spacecraft under the guidance and with financial support of NASA.
Space expert Gerhard Daum explains: “In the first phases there were five or four companies. In 2014 NASA decided on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Two companies were therefore selected to ensure that you have a back-up system. If one system went down for a long time, you would still have a second system. “
Multiple transport systems
It can be assumed that in the future both Russians and Americans will fly to the ISS with SpaceX and Boeing. NASA now chose SpaceX for the first flight. The company has been flying unmanned supply flights to the ISS since 2012. In March 2019, SpaceX successfully sent the “Crew Dragon” to the ISS, but without astronauts: a dummy was sitting in the capsule in the space suit.
The Boeing test flight to the ISS in December was only partially successful. For example, the unmanned space capsule missed the orbit and was unable to dock with the ISS.
Thomas Reiter welcomes the fact that if everything goes according to plan, several technical systems will soon be available: “Over the years, you had to rely on a single transport system. And of course there were moments when you had to hold your breath when a malfunction occurred. “
In October 2018, for example, a Soyuz start to the ISS had failed. The two crew members had to make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan.
US interest in the ISS
Jan Wörner, Director General of ESA, mentions that there have been phases in the history of US space travel in which NASA was unable to fly astronauts, for example after the Apollo program ended in the 1970s. But that is not comparable to today: “With the International Space Station, there was a place you wanted to fly to, and that was a problem for many.”
Having your own access to the ISS is important for NASA, not only because you don’t depend on Russia anymore. Space as a whole is becoming commercialized, and there is an increasing amount of money to be made in space. It’s about commercial experiments and tourists – life and work are also changing on the ISS.
It fits into the picture that NASA boss Jim Bridenstine recently announced that he would like to realize a Hollywood project on the ISS. Actor Tom Cruise is said to be flying to the ISS with SpaceX to make a film there.
Business and pioneering spirit in space
The United States has ambitious plans in space. US President Donald Trump had announced that he would fly to the moon again in 2024 with the Artemis program. The first woman on the moon in human history is said to be an American. In addition to national pride and business models, it is also about a pioneering spirit. Wörner says that Americans have always been pioneers in space, with no direct benefit in mind.
He gives an example: “When we at ESA talked to the Americans a few years ago about what we were going to do in the future, they were talking about capturing an asteroid. You could put it in orbit around the moon and then land it there. When asked why they wanted to do this, they said that it was pioneering. “
Wörner says that he would not have to expect a lot of money from ESA member countries for pioneering work of this kind: “We are much more focused on what we do having an effect on society or the economy or for them Environment, preferably all together. “
German ESA astronaut on ISS
Matthias Maurer will be the next German ESA astronaut to fly to the ISS. It is still unclear when this will be, and with whom Mason will take off. Wörner nevertheless dares to make a prediction: “The probability that he will fly with SpaceX is quite high.”
On May 27, 6 p.m. Central European Time, NASA will report live on the preparations and the start on its homepage: www.nasa.gov
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