Tamed Dragon Supply Ship Arrives At Space Station
By: Melissa Garrett
Updated: March 3, 2013
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- The commercial supply ship Dragon has arrived at the International Space Station after a shaky start.
Station astronauts used a robot arm Sunday morning to grab the supply ship. Its arrival was sweet -- and not because of the fresh fruit on board. The California-based SpaceX company had to struggle with the Dragon following Friday's launch. A clogged pressure line or stuck valve prevented the Dragon's thrusters from working, and it took flight controllers several hours to gain control and salvage the mission.
In the end, the Dragon arrived just a day late with its 1-ton load. It will remain at the station most of March before returning to Earth with science samples.
SpaceX has a billion-dollar contract with NASA to keep the station stocked.
Station astronauts used a robot arm Sunday morning to grab the supply ship. Its arrival was sweet -- and not because of the fresh fruit on board. The California-based SpaceX company had to struggle with the Dragon following Friday's launch. A clogged pressure line or stuck valve prevented the Dragon's thrusters from working, and it took flight controllers several hours to gain control and salvage the mission.
In the end, the Dragon arrived just a day late with its 1-ton load. It will remain at the station most of March before returning to Earth with science samples.
SpaceX has a billion-dollar contract with NASA to keep the station stocked.
