An expert in planetary sciences at the University has welcomed the success of the SpaceX Dragon capsule but says the next big test will be to see whether its irregular heat shield can survive re-entry.
The capsule was launched on 2 March from Florida and successfully guided itself into the International Space Station, where it will stay docked until 8 March.
Dr Kathryn Harriss, of the University’s School of Physical Sciences, says we are quickly moving into a new era of space flight, with the possibility of launching people from as early as July.
She comments: ‘The success of this mission so far bodes well for the next step of launching people as early as July this year.
‘However, the next big test will be the re-entry of the capsule to see if its new, irregular-shaped heat shield can survive when it falls back to Earth on 8 March.
‘It is great to be back in an era where space flight is making such large leaps, not only from the SpaceX Drago capsule but also other countries such as China.’
Dr Kathryn Harriss is a research associate within the University’s Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science.