SpaceX given go-ahead by NASA to test new rocket THIS WEEKEND

SpaceX, owned by extravagant billionaire Elon Musk, has designed its Crew Dragon with the hope of one day being able to ferry astronauts from ground to the International Space Station. NASA was initially concerned about the Crew Dragon – which was also designed in conjunction with Boeing. The space agency had said last week: “There are serious challenges to the current launch schedules for both SpaceX and Boeing.”

However, after undertaking a massive review, NASA has decided to press ahead with the testing.

NASA said in a statement: “Following a full day of briefings and discussion, NASA and SpaceX are proceeding with plans to conduct the first uncrewed test flight of the Crew Dragon on a mission to the International Space Station.

“It will be the first time a commercially built and operated American rocket and spacecraft designed for humans will launch to the space station.”

The launch will now take place at 7.48am GMT (2.48am EST) on March 2, weather permitting, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The Crew Dragon will blast off towards the ISS for two weeks in a bid to prove its reliability and safety in carrying astronauts into space.

If successful, SpaceX will secure the first step towards maintaining a direct mode of transport between US soil and the ISS.

The craft is expected to arrive at the ISS on March 3 with the journey taking just over 27 hours.

By March 8, the craft will return to Earth.

NASA will hold a webcast of the event on NASA TV and SpaceX are expected to hold their own webcast too.

NASA’s live coverage will begin at 8.30am GMT (3.00am EST) with docking occurring at 10.55am GMT (5.55am EST).

source: express.co.uk