In a remarkable display of precision and composure, astronauts aboard the SpaceX Dragon, launched by Elon Musk’s pioneering company, successfully completed their docking with the International Space Station (ISS) while hurtling through space at a staggering speed of 17,000mph.
The SpaceX Dragon embarked on its journey from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center
And after a thirty-hour voyage, the multinational crew reached their destination, situated 261 miles above Queensland, Australia. The diverse crew composition comprises a Danish, American, Russian, and Japanese astronaut, united in a six-month mission focused on studying the impacts of space travel on microbial life and human sleep patterns. The newly arrived astronauts joined seven colleagues who were already stationed on the ISS. Woody Hoburg, an American astronaut on board in SpaceX Dragon, shared insights into the crew’s mindset, emphasizing the transition from the intense focus on launch and docking to adapting to the unique pace of life in space.
This successful mission, known as Crew 7, signifies the eighth crewed expedition to the ISS under NASA’s collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX Dragon since 2020
The event was broadcasted live by NASA. However, this achievement comes amid legal controversy, as Elon Musk and SpaceX Dragon are facing a lawsuit from the Justice Department, led by President Joe Biden’s administration. The lawsuit alleges that SpaceX Dragon engaged in discriminatory practices against refugees and asylum-seekers in its hiring procedures, violating the Immigration and Nationality Act. These legal concerns have arisen just days after the historic docking, casting a shadow over the aerospace giant’s recent accomplishment.
Among the crew is US Naval test pilot Jasmin Moghbeli, whose parents fled Iran during the 1979 revolution, underscoring the crew’s diverse backgrounds and shared commitment to advancing space exploration.
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