Dragon Docks With ISS
The California-based company SpaceX is scheduled to launch its unmanned Dragon capsule on Feb. 7 to dock with the International Space Station. If successful, it will be the first time a private company has accomplished such a goal, and may be the start of a new era for commercial spaceflight.
Dragon will carry supplies for the crew, though nothing crucial just in case the venture fails for some reason. A success would put the company in an excellent position to start offering services to ferry astronauts and future supplies, allowing NASA to stop buying seats on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
Image: NASA