NASA astronaut Megan McArthur conducted a 5 hour “interface test” with a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule scheduled to launch to the International Space Station April 30.

The unmanned capsule will be loaded with supplies and equipment over the next several weeks. If successful it will be the first privately owned spacecraft to reach the station, restoring some of the cargo transfer capabilities NASA lost with the retirement of the Space Shuttles. Dragon has the unique capability to return cargo to Earth after undocking from the orbiting complex, splashing down in the pacific ocean similar to pre-shuttle spacecraft. Unmanned cargo craft from other nations that are currently used to supply the station are burned up in the atmosphere and destroyed.

—Read about SpaceX’s recent launch pad test

NASA awarded SpaceX with a $1.6 billion cargo hauling contract that will cover 12 unmanned flights to and from the station. Although the cargo capsules have the capability to be reused, SpaceX officials told CTTechJunkie last year that NASA is requesting that new ones are sent up with each flight.

SpaceX is currently making a version of Dragon that is certified to transport humans. The capsule will seat a maximum of seven astronauts and will add an emergency escape system. It will launch on the same rocket system SpaceX will be utilizing for the April 30 launch.

CTTechJunkie will have complete coverage of the launch from Florida starting April 29.

Connect with Lon:

Lon Seidman is the host and producer of “Lon.TV,” a consumer technology video show that is on a number of platforms including YouTube and Amazon. He creates in-depth, consumer-friendly product reviews and commentary. His YouTube channel has over 300,000 subscribers and more than 100 million views.

In addition to being a full-time content creator, Lon is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Hartford (his alma mater) where he teaches a course in entrepreneurial content creation.

Prior to becoming a full-time creator, Lon was a partner at The Safety Zone, his family’s business that manufactures gloves and safety equipment. The company has locations around the globe and employs over 200 people worldwide. The Safety Zone was acquired by the Genuine Parts Corporation in 2016.

Lon is also active in public service, serving as the Chairman of the Essex Board of Education, a member of the Region 4 Board of Education, and as the Secretary / Treasurer of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. He was endorsed by both Democrats and Republicans for his re-election in 2021.

The views, opinions, positions, or strategies expressed by the author are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of CTNewsJunkie.com.