SpaceX Capsule Successfully Docks at ISS to Bring Back Stranded Astronauts
In a thrilling and long-awaited moment, a SpaceX capsule has successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) to bring back two stranded astronauts. The Dragon capsule, with two empty seats reserved for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, completed its docking at 17:30 eastern time (22:30 BST).
The two astronauts had arrived at the station on Boeing’s Starliner capsule for an eight-day mission in June, but were unable to return due to a fault discovered during the flight. Now, they are expected to make their journey back to Earth in February.
The Dragon capsule took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Saturday, carrying Nasa astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. Hague, a veteran of the ISS, and Gorbunov will temporarily join the space station’s crew before escorting Wilmore and Williams back to Earth.
This mission had faced delays due to Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc across the south-eastern US, including Florida. However, the docking finally took place as the space station soared 265 miles (426km) above Botswana in southern Africa.
Footage from inside the ISS captured the heartwarming moments of Hague and Gorbunov smiling and bonding with the rest of the crew after their safe arrival. The original Starliner flight in June, plagued with technical issues, marked Boeing’s first attempt to transport astronauts to the ISS.
Despite setbacks and challenges, NASA’s goal of having American companies carry out these crucial missions has been steadily progressing. With contracts awarded to Boeing and SpaceX, the future of space exploration looks bright. In 2020, SpaceX, led by the visionary Elon Musk, achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first private company to transport astronauts to the ISS.
As the world eagerly awaits the safe return of the stranded astronauts, this mission serves as a testament to the resilience and innovation driving humanity’s quest for the stars. – BBC
