Our part in SpaceX

Space travel has entered a new era with the success of the first commercial spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station and then return safely to earth.  Under contract to NASA, Californian-based SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies) launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon space craft from Cape Canaveral on Tuesday 22nd May at 7.44 pm New Zealand time.  Several days later Dragon splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the Californian Coast, after a smooth arrival at the International Space Station and dropping off supplies.

Director of the IRASR, Professor Sergei Gulyaev, says, “We will monitor the flight from launch to re-entry, and provide an important communication channel throughout."