Research Developments in Cargo Transport for Crewed Space Missions
Introduction
Since 2010, NASA has been collaborating with Boeing and SpaceX to develop a commercial crew program aimed at launching astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). This program will mark the first time since 2011 that the US has manned spaceflight capabilities, following the retirement of the space shuttle program. However, before the first commercial crewed mission takes off, NASA continues to partner with private companies to send cargo to and from the ISS, whilst conducting research on board the station.
Cargo Missions
NASA has contracted with two commercial partners, SpaceX and Northrop Grumman, to transport cargo to the ISS. SpaceX’s Dragon capsule can carry up to 7,000 pounds of cargo, including science experiments, food, and supplies. Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo ship is also capable of carrying vast amounts of cargo to the ISS, as well as returning supplies to Earth.
Research on Board the ISS
The ISS has been home to a wide range of research projects conducted by astronauts from around the world. Recently, NASA announced a new set of investigations that will take place on board the space station. These investigations aim to better understand the effects of microgravity on the human body, improve radiation protection for astronauts, and study the effects of space travel on a variety of materials.
Commercial Crewed Missions
NASA has been working with Boeing and SpaceX to develop spacecraft capable of transporting humans to the ISS. The target for these commercial crewed missions was 2017 but has been pushed back several times. As of June 2021, the first operational SpaceX flight, Crew-1, took off in November 2020, with Crew-2 following in April 2021. Boeing’s spacecraft, Starliner, failed to reach the ISS during an uncrewed test flight in 2019, and further test flights are expected before crewed missions can be scheduled.
Conclusion
NASA continues to work with private companies to transport cargo to and from the ISS, as well as conducting vital research on board the station. While the commercial crewed program has faced delays, it is hoped that the missions will take place in the near future, allowing the United States to regain manned spaceflight capabilities.