SpaceX Dragon

The private corporation Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, sent its cargo ship, titled Dragon, to the International Space Station three days ago. It connected to the Station early this morning to mark the craft's second voyage. Dragon's connection to the Station on May 25 marked the first commercial vehicle to ever connect to the International Space Station. This action marks a huge accomplishment, because the only way we will extend our space exploration will be through commercial "spacelines." I am excited to see what SpaceX has planned for the future, whether it be for the sake of tourism or exploration.

SpaceX Dragon: The one thing that hasn't changed is the increasing awesomeness in the names of these rockets.

They are currently working on the Falcon Heavy rocket, which rivals the Saturn V rocket in power and thrust, meaning we will definitely have the opportunity to make it to the moon again or farther. I like that the space program is separating itself from the government and the financial reliance that came with it. This means that we can actually get things done when we want to. However, a sense of nationalism is not completely absent from the space field. According to a Chicago Tribune article, NASA is working with multiple commercial companies to design space taxis and eliminate Russia's monopoly on transporting astronauts to and from the station by 2017. It seems that some remnants and bitterness from the space race still exist.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-usa-space-spacexbre8990tk-20121010,0,2770771.story

http://www.spacex.com/company.php