Mary-Louise Hoffman
SpaceX has presented its human space transportation plan to NASA as part of a certification baseline review phase of the agency’s Commercial Crew Transportation Capability program.
NASA said Friday the company outlined how it will build spacecraft and rocket systems to eventually ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
The firm’s Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 launch vehicle will also undergo rigorous testing and must pass safety requirements to obtain NASA approval.
“SpaceX designed the Dragon spacecraft with the ultimate goal of transporting people to space,†said Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer.
“Successful completion of the certification baseline review represents a critical step in that effort,” Shotwell added.
The Dragon crew capsule will be designed to berth at ISS for as long as 210 days and to serve as haven at the event of a space emergency, according to NASA.
