NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has named the four veterans who will apparently fly on space capsules built by these private space companies under NASA where each pilot already has experience flying in space, twice.
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The test flights which SpaceX and Boeing are aiming for will be the first launch of astronauts into the worldwide space station from Cape Canaveral, Florida, since the shutting down of the space shuttle in 2011. Until now, they are still clueless on what could have caused its failure after six other successful launches of previous cargo missions to the worldwide Space Station. Both capsules will be able to carry a crew of seven, with their first flights slated for 2017.
In September 2014, Boeing and SpaceX, both were granted permission by NASA to develop and operate spacecrafts that would ferry astronauts to and fro from the worldwide Space Station. That’s set to change with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which will see Boeing and SpaceX offering commercial spaceflights from USA soil.
According to Bolden, these are very distinguished, veteran astronauts who will now blaze the trail again where they will one day land on the surface of Mars. The roster includes some of the most experienced astronauts NASA has on its books and all have two orbital missions under their belts.
When asked by an Associated Press reporter who wants to be first to fly, all four laughed and raised their hand.
“Congratulations to Bob, Eric, Doug and Sunita and welcome to the Commercial Crew team”, said John Elbon, Boeing Vice President and General Manager, Space Exploration.
The test flights, which could be flown in 2017, hope to pave the way for regular launches of crews to the ISS, ending reliance on Russian Federation for access to and from the outpost.
He’s now the Assistant Director of New Programs, for the Flight Crew Operations Directorate (FCOD) at Johnson Space Center. Behnken, also an Air Force colonel, served as NASA’s chief astronaut for the past three years.
“It’s really been the dream of all of us to participate in the test of a new vehicle, and a vehicle like a spacecraft is probably the gem, if you will, of a career”, Behnken said during a press conference. Williams actually holds the record for most spacewalking time by a woman.
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Douglas Hurley, a retired U.S. Marine colonel, was born in Endicott, New York, and considers Apalachin, New York, his hometown. As an Air Force pilot, he flew more than 5,000 hours in more than 45 different aircraft before NASA selected him as an astronaut in July 2000. The space agency has contracts totaling almost $7 billion with SpaceX and Boeing to take over the taxi trips for US astronauts, so it can focus on getting humans to Mars in the 2030s. While there, she was also assigned as the squadron Safety Officer and flew test flights in the SH-60B/F, UH-1, AH-1W, SH-2, VH-3, H-46, CH-53 and the H-57. The cost for a ride on an American-operated spacecraft will be $58 million, according to NASA.
