First Commercial Space Flight Supplies ISS

The SpaceX Dragon 9 spacecraft launched successfully last week and will be visible as it approaches and joins up with International Space Station. The only trick is that it has to be visible at the right time when we can actually see it. Dragon 9 is providing supplies to ISS, which is nothing new, except that this is the first time a commercial space entity has done this. This is opening up a new door in access to low earth orbit by showing this kind of capability from a non-governmental agency. However, they do have to adhere to the same standards as NASA. Get ready for the Transit of Venus, coming up next week. It’s rare in that this is the last chance you’ll have in your lifetime to see this. The next event won’t happen for 105 years. It was in 1769 when David Rittenhouse, a Philadelphia mathematician, recorded the event. The American Philosophical Society Museum will be having plenty of events celebrating the transit. Also, don’t’ miss what’s in the night sky during this Spring season. All this and more on this week’s Sky Talk.[audio: st20120528.mp3]