Active Stocks
Mon Mar 18 2024 15:55:53
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 149.60 5.69%
  1. Tata Motors share price
  2. 972.20 2.75%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 417.40 -0.51%
  1. State Bank Of India share price
  2. 730.70 -0.18%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,082.00 0.32%
Business News/ Science / News/  Nasa names astronauts for 1st manned US space launches since 2011
BackBack

Nasa names astronauts for 1st manned US space launches since 2011

The Nasa's announcement signals a milestone in the US space programme, with its shift to the private sector for ferrying cargo and astronauts to the Space Station

The first flight is expected sometime next year. Photo: BloombergPremium
The first flight is expected sometime next year. Photo: Bloomberg

Orlando, Florida: Nasa on Friday named nine astronauts for the first manned space launches from US soil since the space shuttle programme ended in 2011.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s announcement signals a milestone in the US space programme, with its shift to the private sector for ferrying cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station.

Since the space shuttle programme was shut down, the US space agency Nasa has had to rely on Russia to fly astronauts to space station, a $100 billion orbital research laboratory that flies about 250 miles (402 km) above Earth.

The astronauts named on Friday will be carried aloft aboard spacecraft developed by entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Boeing Co, crewing first the test flights, and then missions involving both Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.

The first flight is expected sometime next year.

“Space has transformed the American way of life," Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine said at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. “For the first time since 2011, we are on the brink of launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil."

President Donald Trump tweeted about the announcement: “We have the greatest facilities in the world and we are now letting the private sector pay to use them. Exciting things happening."

The commercial crew programme will allow expanded use of the space station. Nasa officials have said it is critical to understanding the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and necessary for a sustainable presence on the Moon and for deep-space missions, including to Mars.

In 2014, SpaceX and Boeing received contracts for $2.6 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively, to develop so-called space taxis that can ferry astronauts to and from the space station.

Of the nine astronauts tapped to serve as crew members, all but three are space flight veterans. Additional crew members will be assigned by Nasa’s international partners in the space station at a later date, the agency said.

The Government Accountability Office said last month that launch plans could be delayed due to incomplete safety measures and accountability issues in Nasa’s commercial crew programme.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 04 Aug 2018, 02:12 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App