ISS SpaceX capsule provides NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams with a new means of transportation home in 2019

 After months of uncertainty, two astronauts who have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June have finally received a lifeline in the form of a SpaceX capsule that arrived on Sunday. This capsule will serve as their ride home next year, offering relief after an extended mission that was only supposed to last a week, according to the Associated Press.

ISS SpaceX capsule provides NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams with a new means of transportation home in 2019

The Rescue Mission  

SpaceX launched the mission on Saturday, sending two astronauts to the ISS while leaving two empty seats for Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, the astronauts in need of transport. The Dragon capsule successfully docked with the station as it passed 265 miles (426 kilometers) above Botswana, ensuring their future return journey.

Change of Plans  

Initially, Wilmore and Williams were slated to return to Earth aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, due to safety concerns raised during Starliner’s first crewed test flight—specifically issues with thruster failures and helium leaks—NASA decided to pull them from that mission. The Starliner, deemed too risky for their journey home, had to return to Earth earlier this month without a crew.

A Lengthened Stay  

What was meant to be a short mission for the astronauts has now turned into a much longer one. Wilmore and Williams, who were expected to be in space for just a week, will now spend over eight months aboard the ISS. Their new return vehicle, the Dragon capsule, will remain docked at the station until their scheduled return in February.

New Arrivals  

The arrival of two new astronauts on Sunday also signals the upcoming return of the four-person crew currently stationed at the ISS since March. Their departure had been postponed for a month due to ongoing complications with Boeing’s Starliner, which affected the mission schedule.

NASA’s Position on Boeing  

Despite the setbacks with Boeing’s spacecraft, NASA is not ready to abandon the company. Jim Free, NASA’s associate administrator, expressed that they are far from giving up on Boeing. Inspections of the Starliner are ongoing, and reviews of the post-flight data are already in progress.

SpaceX’s Minor Setback  

While the SpaceX rescue mission largely went as planned, there was a minor issue after the launch. The upper stage of the rocket missed its intended impact zone in the Pacific Ocean due to engine problems. As a precaution, SpaceX has paused further Falcon rocket launches until the cause of the issue is thoroughly investigated.

This mission not only showcases SpaceX’s growing role in space exploration but also underscores the ongoing challenges NASA faces with Boeing’s Starliner, as they work to ensure the safe return of their astronauts.

ESA Will Launch DRACO Satellite in 2027 to Investigate Disintegration of Satellite Reentry

 ESA’s 2027 DRACO Mission: Pioneering Satellite Reentry Research and Space Debris Prevention

In 2027, the European Space Agency (ESA) will embark on an extraordinary mission that could reshape how we manage satellites and prevent space debris. The mission, named DRACO (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object), is unlike any satellite project before it. Instead of a traditional purpose like communication or research, DRACO’s sole objective is to break apart upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, providing scientists with groundbreaking insights on satellite disintegration.

ESA Will Launch DRACO Satellite in 2027 to Investigate Disintegration of Satellite Reentry

This innovative endeavor marks a pivotal step in ESA’s mission to tackle the growing problem of space debris. With more satellites being launched each year, understanding how they break up during reentry is crucial to limiting environmental impact and ensuring safety for future generations.

A Mission to Study Satellite Disintegration

DRACO’s primary focus is to gather data on how satellites disintegrate as they fall back to Earth. By closely observing this process, scientists will gain a deeper understanding of the forces at play during reentry and how different materials behave when exposed to intense atmospheric conditions. 

The ultimate goal is to use this data to design future satellites that will completely burn up in the atmosphere upon reentry, leaving no debris behind. This could eliminate the risk of space debris surviving and reaching Earth’s surface, which poses potential hazards. Additionally, the mission will explore how the breakdown of materials affects the environment and what byproducts are released into the atmosphere.

Innovative DRACO Design: Data from Disintegration

Weighing in at 200 kilograms—roughly the size of a washing machine—DRACO is designed to behave like a typical satellite during its descent. However, at its core lies a groundbreaking feature: a specially engineered capsule that will survive reentry. Measuring 40 centimeters, this capsule will carry four cameras and 200 sensors to document every stage of the satellite’s destruction.

As DRACO plummets back to Earth, the capsule will record invaluable data, capturing how the satellite disintegrates in real time. Once the capsule reaches a certain point, it will deploy a parachute and transmit the collected data before descending into the ocean. Although the capsule will be lost at sea, the information it sends back will offer unprecedented insight into satellite breakup.

Paving the Way for Zero-Debris Technology

ESA’s DRACO mission isn’t just about gathering data—it’s a critical part of the agency’s broader mission to develop zero-debris technology. Holger Krag, Head of ESA’s Space Safety, highlights DRACO as a key step toward creating fully demisable satellites by 2030. These satellites will be designed to disintegrate entirely upon reentry, ensuring that no debris is left behind.

This mission aligns with ESA’s ambitious Zero Debris Charter, which aims to eliminate the creation of space debris within this decade. As the number of satellite launches increases worldwide, the need for such technology has never been more pressing.

Advancing Space Sustainability

Tim Flohrer, head of ESA’s space debris office, emphasizes the significance of DRACO in shaping the future of space sustainability. The mission’s success could dramatically reduce the amount of space debris in Earth’s orbit, making space travel and satellite launches safer for future generations.

DRACO represents not only a technological breakthrough but also a profound shift in how humanity interacts with space. As we continue to explore beyond our planet, missions like DRACO will help ensure that our actions are sustainable, responsible, and safe.

By 2027, ESA’s DRACO mission may well mark the beginning of a new era in space technology—one where satellites leave no trace behind.