‘An amazing ride’: SpaceX flight led by first Black female commander sets US speed record
Four astronauts pulled up at International Space Station after eight-hour express flight led by Jessica Watkins Four astronauts pulled up at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday after launching on an eight-hour express that set a US speed record, and that created further history with the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit. SpaceX launched commander Jessica Watkins and her crew…
On Thursday, four astronauts arrived at the International Space Station after a record-breaking eight-hour express flight led by Jessica Watkins, making her the first Black woman to command a crew to orbit. The SpaceX Dragon capsule, named "Grace," reached the ISS after a three-week delay to resolve a leaking fuel system. Thick clouds initially threatened to halt the countdown, but clouds eventually cleared, allowing a safe liftoff from Cape Canaveral at 11:10am (1510 GMT).
The astronauts—American Watkins, Canadian Joshua Kutryk, Russian Sergey Teteryatnikov, and retired marine Luke Delaney—docked at a port on the ISS about 7 hours and 55 minutes after launch, setting a speed record for a US spacecraft. Watkins addressed her colleagues on Earth, expressing excitement and gratitude for the "amazing ride."
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
