Today, SpaceX sends 2 astronauts aboard their spacecraft Falcon 9, on a trip to the International Space Station. It’s the first time humans will be flying on a brand new US spacecraft since 1981. The first time an all-American spacecraft with an all-American crew will launch into space since 2011. It’s historic. And it has us on the edge of our seats!
Here’s the link to the webcast, if you’d like to follow along. Although I’m sure it will be airing on a lot of the news channels too.
Did you know - alongside Elon Musk, there’s one more key person who’s been the driving force behind Space X’s endeavors? It’s 7th employee and present chief operating officer, Gwynne Shotwell. A very accomplished woman who’s been leading sales, business development and client relationships at Space X for years (her TED Talk’s great!). And is supposedly an effective counterbalance to her boss :) It makes me happy to see a woman at the forefront of such a great mission.
Here’s hoping it all goes excellently. Rise & shine, Falcon 9.
Sketch by NASA artist Robert McCall
Floating Astronaut - Fine Art America
Gwynne Shotwell (via WSJ)
