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NASA astronauts will fly commercial to ISS

Thursday, 28 April 2016 2:01 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 28 April 2016 1:59 PM ]

NASA astronaut Eric Boe uses the Crew Part-Task Trainer, a touch-screen simulator, during a training session at the Boeing Company’s Defense, Space & Security division in St. Louis.

With the retiring of the space shuttle program in 2011, NASA is exploring new ways to achieve its long-term goal of sending humans to another planet.

The efforts include the use of private and commercial spacecraft. Touch-screen simulators help prepare astronauts and flight controllers for missions, flight conditions and situations including the rendezvous and docking.

NASA is developing the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System for longer journeys and has contracted with Boeing and SpaceX, to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA says the cost for a ride on a private, American-operated spacecraft will be 58 million dollars.

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