‘Private parking space’ installed on International Space Station
Astronauts complete six-hour spacewalk to attach the new docking system
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two astronauts have successfully installed a new “parking spot” on the International Space Station (ISS) for use by private spaceships and other craft.
Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins completed a six-hour spacewalk to attach the first of two docking adaptors.
It took the astronauts more than two hours to tie down the docking adaptor, which was built by Boeing.
The “parking spot” will be used by commercial spaceships as the ISS expects more traffic in the coming years.
After the work was finished, Nasa's Mission Control commentator Rob Navias said: “We have a new port of call for the new US commercial crew vehicles.”
Nasa has described the new docking station as “a metaphorical gateway to a future”.
It is more sophisticated than any previous docking stations and allows for automatic parking, as opposed to the current system of grapple and berthing which is managed by astronauts.
The new system will work with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon, with the first flights expected as early as next year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments