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SPACEX
The instrumented test dummy will remain in the capsule throughout the mission
During the demonstration flight of the new US astronaut capsule, she will attempt to dock with the International Space Station (ISS).
The Dragon vehicle, launched Saturday by California-based SpaceX, is designed to achieve attachment independently.
This is the latest in a series of tests that the capsule must succeed to obtain Nasa's authorization to transport people.
All this mission carries a test dummy and 90 kg of supplies.
Mooring should take place around 11:00 GMT.
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The Dragon will approach the 400 km high station from the front and will use its computers and sensors to guide itself.
Astronauts aboard the ISS will closely monitor the HD cameras to make sure that the capsule works as it should and will be ready to intervene if it is not the case.
The procedure is a breakthrough for SpaceX because the cargo ships it normally sends to the lab must be captured by a robotic arm and placed in a docking position. Cargo ships do not have the sophistication to dock.
The Dragon capsule must remain at the ISS until Friday, when it will come off and begin the journey back to Earth.
This is the phase of the mission that the founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk, says to worry the most, the descent flaming at high speed in the atmosphere.
The dragon's back, or heat shield, has a somewhat irregular shape and could cause temperature variations at the base of the capsule at hypersonic speeds.
"It should be fine, but it will be one thing to make sure it works during the school year," Musk said.
"Everything we know so far looks positive – unless something goes wrong, I think we're going to fly (with people) this year." ; hope. "
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Getty Images / NASA
Elon Musk with astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to make the first crew flight
The US Space Agency wants to outsource crew transportation to SpaceX.
Whereas in the past, NASA engineers had a downward control on all aspects of vehicle design and the agency owned and used computer equipment – the relationship with the industry was completely changed .
Today, NASA sets broad requirements and the sector has great latitude to meet these demands.
Agency officials always check each step, but this approach is considered more effective.
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NASA
Illustration: The crew ship approaches the station by the front and automatically goes to dock
NASA Chief Jim Bridenstine said it was a new era where "we wish to be a single customer, both as an agency and as a country.
"We are looking forward to no longer being just one customer among many customers in a robust low-Earth-orbit commercial market, so we can reduce costs and increase access in ways that are impossible." "
NASA is also working with Boeing on crew transportation. The company has developed its own capsule called Starliner. This will have its equivalent demonstration flight in the coming months.
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