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Commercial rocket set for historic space launch

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    Private craft heading to International Space Station for first time

  • Duration 3:14
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Well it is all systems go for tomorrow's launch and they found in nine rocket from Cape Canaveral -- goes according to plan it will be the first rocket to deliver supplies to the International Space Station.

Under NASA's commercial.

Space program.

Now some are calling this a key tax to keep test not only -- the technology.

But of the Obama administration's decision to rely on commercially built.

Spacecraft so wives take your time Jones is a former shuttle -- not so -- -- contributor and time a lot of folks are describing this as we just mentioned a test for the -- ministry she get the story line and this eccentric billionaire that.

Has spent money on this rocket what -- this lunch really mean.

It really is a crucial test of how NASA's going to supply the International Space Station.

Absent the space shuttle which retired last year and NASA's plan since 2006 has -- to use these commercial companies to fly the cargo up.

That will need to make good use of the space station and fortunately there were about three years behind schedule and because of that.

This launch tomorrow the first step towards commercial cargo services is really a big step for NASA.

So it's gonna launch for 55 eastern time tomorrow what are you going to be watching for is viewed as you watch this take to flight.

While I was in the NASA advisory council about five years ago when this plan began to be developed so I really want to see.

SpaceX succeed in this cargo venture.

I think they've got great odds of getting to orbit successfully but that -- -- and -- with the space station is something that no commercial company has ever tried.

It's going to be very tricky for them to get a 100% success.

And they have some supplies with them and they're supposed to be delivering supplies to that International Space Station I think -- crucial is mostly spoke about food and clothing is it laptop batteries.

And the likes to watch to see if they actually succeed in that it.

Endeavor time it's gonna take three -- five year some say to get astronauts to be on these commercial space flights why would it take so long.

Well NASA has contract -- with several other companies along with SpaceX to develop.

Astronaut transport to the station and NASA's estimate is it's gonna take -- 20175.

Years from now.

That's really happened there these companies are developing private spacecraft.

They don't have the depth of engineering experience -- fifty years of experience that NASA has even though they've been sharing information.

And they're being very careful NASA does not want to risk it's astronaut safety.

On these private launches until they know that they've got a proven track record and that's what this cargo program should give companies like SpaceX.

Just real quick your time are you happy that this is moving -- mean this is a good day just as far as.

Further exploration and space or are you feeling a little bit conflicted because -- where the space program is with Nasser right now.

Well I was in on this five years ago and thought it was a good idea then because it's cheaper and cheaper way to delivers cargo -- the space shuttle could ever do.

And it's a way to get out from under the Russian cargo services that we have to buy right now so it's a Smart move all the way around.

I don't know whether they're gonna have the experience though to get to the space station with astronauts in time.

And I would like to see that moved up much faster and I think the answer to that is for NASA to build a spacecraft to fill the gap until these commercial companies prove their worth.

And that takes the money and that's where we come back to DC has some of these conversations time -- -- you.

I will watch for this big news tomorrow we appreciate your your expertise today.

You're well.

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