The SpaceX Dragon is seen after docking at the International Space Station on November 17. Screenshot / Nasa TV via AP
The SpaceX Dragon is seen after docking at the International Space Station on November 17. Screenshot / Nasa TV via AP
SpaceX's newly launched capsule with four astronauts has arrived at the International Space Station, their new home until early next year.
The Dragon capsule pulled up and docked late Monday night (Tuesday afternoon NZT), following a 27-hour, completely automated flight from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in the US.
The linkup occurred 422km above Idaho.
"Oh, what a good voice to hear," space station astronaut Kate Rubins called out when the Dragon's commander, Mike Hopkins, first made radio contact.
"We can't wait to have you on board," she added after the two spacecraft were latched together.
In this frame grab from Nasa TV, astronauts Mike Hopkins, left, and Victor Glover monitor controls aboard SpaceX Dragon as the capsule approaches the ISS. Screenshot / Nasa TV
This is the second astronaut mission for SpaceX. But it's the first time Elon Musk's company delivered a crew for a full half-year station stay. The two-pilot test flight earlier this year lasted two months.
The three Americans and one Japanese astronaut will remain at the orbiting lab until their replacements arrive on another Dragon in April.
And so it will go, with SpaceX — and eventually Boeing — transporting astronauts to and from the station for Nasa.
This regular taxi service got under way with Sunday night's launch.
Hopkins and his crew — Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japan's Soichi Noguchi — join two Russians and one American who flew to the space station last month from Kazakhstan.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule approaches the International Space Station. Screenshot / Nasa TV via AP
Glover is the first African-American to move in for a long haul. A space newcomer, Glover was presented his gold astronaut pin on Monday.
The four named their capsule Resilience to provide hope and inspiration during an especially difficult year for the whole world.
They broadcast a tour of their capsule on Monday, showing off the touchscreen controls, storage areas and their zero gravity indicator: a small plush Baby Yoda.
Walker said it was a little tighter for them than for the two astronauts on the test flight.
"We sort of dance around each other to stay out of each other's way," she said.
For Sunday's launch, Nasa kept guests to a minimum because of coronavirus, and even Musk had to stay away after tweeting that he "most likely" had an infection.
From left: astronauts Shannon Walker, Victor Glover, Michael Hopkins and Soichi Noguchi will be on the International Space Station until early next year. Photo / AP
He was replaced in his official launch duties by SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell, who assured reporters Musk was still very much involved with Sunday night's action, although remotely.
As they prepared for the space station linkup, the Dragon crew beamed down live window views of New Zealand and a brilliant blue, cloud-streaked Pacific 402km below.
