Space Exploration Technologies’ (SpaceX) Dragon spacecraft completed key on-orbit tests yesterday as part of the company’s attempt to become the first commercial business to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), according to a statement.
SpaceX estimates Dragon possibly birthing with the ISS today around 5 a.m. EST if preparation tests satisfy NASA, but this time and date is approximate and subject to change, according to a statement.
Since Dragon successfully launched Tuesday morning from Cape Canaveral, Fla., the vehicle has successfully completed one task after another as it prepares to berth with the ISS. Minutes after the spacecraft separated from the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage, its solar arrays successfully deployed, providing power to the spacecraft. The door that had been covering sensors needed for proximity operations also opened successfully, according to a company statement.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dragon traveled into orbit, firing its thrusters to catch up to the space station. The spacecraft completed a series of milestones, including showing its Absolute Global Positioning System (GPS) is in good working order and demonstrating both a pulsed and full abort. It also demonstrated free drift, floating freely in orbit as it will when grappled by the ISS’ robotic arm, according to a statement.