Thursday, October 11, 2012

These are the Voyages?

By Nicola Braun
Science Reporter
CAPE CANAVERAL - After a wobbly flight, the USS Private Enterprise docked with the International Space Station early this morning.
      However, the unmanned SpaceX rocket prematurely released a communication satellite on its way up. Engineers are still calculating if they can boost the satellite into the proper orbit with its onboard thrusters.
      With the retirement of the space shuttle fleet, NASA has privatized the chore of resupplying the International Space Station. SpaceX is being paid $1.6 billion to make 12 of the milk runs with its Dragon capsules. A private satellite was hitching a ride on this first cargo flight of a privately owned US spaceship.
      The three-man space station crew is eagerly unloading 1,000 lbs. of cargo from the Dragon capsule. The contents include chocolate and vanilla swirled iced cream. With a delivery charge of over $1 billion, they'll be enjoying the most expensive sundaes in history.
       In three weeks, Dragon will drop back to Earth. It'll be carrying 2000 lbs. of cargo, including blood and urine samples from the space station crew. So, the most expensive sundaes in history will be followed by the most expensive pee in history. Leave it to private enterprise to stick it to the customer coming and going.

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