This mission was purchased turnkey by NASA from the firm SpaceX. It is often presented as a low cost flight in space. What should we think? Claude Nicollier’s analysis.
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–The Vaudois astrophysicist and astronaut Claude Nicoller.
Chantal Dervey
Why do we say these SpaceX flights are low cost? It is true? ÇHas anything changed in terms of crew safety?
A given space mission, technically and operationally controlled by a private company, is generally less expensive than the same mission under the control of a national space agency like NASA. The private company must maintain the attractiveness of its services while doing everything to lower costs. In the case of SpaceX and the Crew Dragon, all safety aspects are carefully monitored by the “NASA Aerospace Safety Panel”, so it certainly cannot be said that crew safety suffers from this cost-cutting effort by. SpaceX.
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We recently learned that Frenchman Thomas Pesquet will fly aboard SpaceX in 2021, is that good news?
Any astronaut waiting for a space flight and who sees himself designated for a mission is of course happy with this designation. This is therefore good news for Thomas Pesquet and for ESA, his employer! Thomas is a good colleague and friend. I’m happy for him, I would happily go in his place!
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