INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightSPACEXImage caption
The instrumented test dummy will remain in the capsule throughout the mission
It is the latest in a series of tests the capsule must pass in order to get approval from Nasa to transport people
All this particular mission is carrying is a test dummy and 90kg of supplies.The docking should occur at about 11:00 GMT.Media playback is
unsupported on your deviceMedia captionWatch the Dragon capsule launch to orbit atop a Falcon rocketThe Dragon will approach the 400km-high
station from the front and use its computers and sensors to guide itself in.Astronauts aboard the ISS will be watching closely on HD cameras
to make sure the capsule performs as it should, and be ready to intervene if it does not.The procedure is a step up for SpaceX because the
cargo ships it normally sends to the lab have to be grappled by a robotic arm and pulled into a berthing position
The freighters do not have the sophistication to dock themselves
The Dragon capsule is due to stay at the ISS until Friday when it will detach and begin the journey back to Earth
atmosphere.The Dragon's backshell, or heatshield, has a somewhat irregular shape and that could lead to temperature variations across the
base of the capsule at hypersonic speeds."It should be fine, but that'll be a thing to make sure it works on re-entry," said Mr Musk
"Everything we know so far is looking positive
Unless something goes wrong I should think we'll be flying (people) this year; this summer, hopefully."Image copyrightGetty Images/NASAImage
caption
Elon Musk with astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who are scheduled to make the first crewed flight
The American space agency wants to contract out crew transport to SpaceX.Whereas in the past, Nasa engineers would have top-down
control of all aspects of vehicle design and the agency would own and operate the hardware - the relationship with industry has been put on
a completely new footing.Today, Nasa sets broad requirements and industry is given plenty of latitude in how it meets those demands.Agency
officials still check off every step, but the approach is regarded as more efficient.Image copyrightNASAImage caption
Artwork: The crew ship will approach the station from the front and dock automatically
Nasa chief Jim Bridenstine said it
was a new era where "we are looking forward to be being one customer, as an agency and as a country
"We're looking forward to being one customer of many customers in a robust commercial market place in low-Earth orbit, so we can drive down
costs and increase access in ways that historically have not been possible."Nasa is also working with Boeing on crew transport
The company has developed a capsule of its own called the Starliner
This will have its equivalent demo flight in the next couple of months.Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@TheIndianSubcontinent.co.uk and follow me on
Twitter: @TheIndianSubcontinentAmos
