SpaceX has successfully completed a mission to rescue two astronauts who have been stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) since June.
The Dragon capsule, which carried supplies along with two vacant seats for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on September 28.
Wilmore and Williams were initially scheduled to remain on the ISS for about eight days. However, a problem was discovered with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, prompting a crewless return to Earth for safety reasons.
NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov are aboard the Dragon capsule to deliver fresh supplies to Wilmore and Williams, who are expected to return to Earth in February.
The launch had been planned for Thursday but was delayed due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage throughout Florida and various southern states.
Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX has established a routine schedule for transporting crews to and from the ISS every six months.
The Dragon capsule is projected to dock with the ISS on Sunday at around 9:30 PM GMT.
In a separate development, SpaceX is contemplating a $15 billion investment in Vietnam to expand its Starlink satellite internet service.
This announcement followed a meeting between SpaceX Senior Vice President Tim Hughes and Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam during his recent visit to the US for the United Nations General Assembly.
The potential investment represents a significant move by SpaceX to provide satellite internet services to Vietnam, a nation facing challenges in improving connectivity due to outdated infrastructure and complex terrain.
This initiative could play a vital role in reducing the digital divide and improving internet access for many living in the area.
These recent developments underscore SpaceX’s dedication to advancing space exploration and improving global communication networks through cutting-edge technology.
