SpaceX successfully brings astronauts to the ISS

In 2011, the American space shuttle Atlantis docked with the ISS for the last time. Then NASA stopped operating its own space shuttle fleet. Since then, astronauts and materials could only be brought to the international space station using Russian Soyuz rockets. However, this dependence should only be of a temporary nature. Because at the same time the US government commissioned Boeing and SpaceX, two private companies, to build corresponding space shuttles. Nine years later, the United States has regained the ability to get astronauts to the ISS. Because the first regular manned flight of the spacecraft "Crew Dragon" developed by SpaceX went without incident: After a flight time of 27 hours Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi were able to enter the space station at an altitude of 400 kilometers.

A manned test flight has already been successful

Previously, the Crew Dragon space shuttle had to complete extensive tests and test flights. The decisive maiden flight took place half a year ago. Under close observation by NASA, the SpaceX transport capsule successfully brought two astronauts to the ISS. The NASA experts then gave the green light for regular operation. The transport flight that has now been carried out was therefore the first to take place under the sole direction of a private company. But why does NASA rely on the help of private companies at all? As is so often the case, the need to save money is responsible for this. The US government was simply too expensive to operate its own fleet. The private companies, on the other hand, have the advantage that they can also use the developed space shuttles for other commercial purposes. In the best case scenario, NASA will at some point be just one customer among many.

Boeing is still clearly behind schedule

The competition between the two private companies Boeing and SpaceX should also ensure that NASA does not become dependent and has to pay excessive prices. However, this approach only works if both companies develop a functioning space shuttle. However, Boeing is still clearly behind schedule with the Starliner space capsule. Observers assume that the current test phase cannot be completed until next year at the earliest. For Elon Musk, the successful first regular flight to the ISS should be particularly gratifying. Because the multi-entrepreneur is repeatedly accused of working with overly optimistic schedules. This is not to be assigned entirely by hand. At least in the case of the space shuttle, Musk and SpaceX delivered significantly faster than the top dog Boeing