HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA ¨C NASA boss Jim Bridenstine said on Thursday that the first manned mission into orbit by SpaceX¡¯s Crew Dragon would take place in the first quarter of next year, pending the satisfactory outcome of tests.
On a visit to the SpaceX headquarters, Bridenstine praised Elon Musk¡¯s SpaceX for its ¡°fail fast, then fix¡± approach to spacecraft design after a personal briefing on the company¡¯s long-delayed Crew Dragon capsule ¡ª a display of unity amid a rare public spat between the two key space figures.
But he also emphasized NASA¡¯s concern for astronaut safety. ¡°We are not going to take any undue risk,¡± he said.
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