Video: NASA Preps Space Station for Commercial Craft
Expedition 48 crew members Kate Rubins (left) and Jeff Williams (right) of NASA outfit spacesuits inside of the Quest airlock aboard the International Space Station. NASA
Astronauts will install a new adaptor to accommodate Boeing and SpaceX vessels.
NASA is prepping a welcome mat for future commercial crew spacecraft visiting the International Space Station.
To accommodate Boeing and SpaceX craft, two NASA astronauts will install the first of two international docking adapters.
On Aug. 17, ground crew will use a robotic arm to remove the adapter from a SpaceX Dragon cargo craft. On Aug. 19, Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Kate Rubins will spacewalk to install it on the Harmony module of the space station.
The spacewalk will be Williams’ fourth and Rubins’ first.