“Dragon was huffing and puffing all the way into orbit,” says astronaut Bob Behnken. Nothing could stop the sleek SpaceX Dragon capsule. It took two astronauts––Mr. Behnken and Doug Hurley, to the International Space Station. The spaceship left Earth at 3:22 p.m. on Saturday. Nineteen hours later, the Dragon capsule pulled up to the station and docked automatically. The mission took teamwork. A partnership between the U.S. government and a private company made the flight possible.

“The whole world saw this mission, and we are so, so proud of everything you have done for our country and, in fact, to inspire the world,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a call from Mission Control in Houston.

SpaceX is a private company. NASA stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA is part of the United States government. By working together, NASA and SpaceX are changing the way we explore space.

It’s been a while since the United States launched astronauts into space from America. For the past nine years, NASA astronauts have hitched rides with other countries. Those spacecraft seats are expensive! NASA’s teamwork with SpaceX should make trips to space more affordable.

Until now, SpaceX has launched supplies and satellites into space, but not a crew of people. Astronaut Hurley says, “It’s great to get the United States back in the crewed launch business.” 

Saturday’s NASA-plus-SpaceX launch is a big deal for America’s space plans. Joint efforts between the government and private companies might speed up space visits. It should also lower the need for taxes to fund space exploration. In time, more people may even get a chance to soar into space. After all, who wouldn’t want a ticket to the Moon?

Praise Him, Sun and Moon, praise Him, all you shining stars! — Psalm 148:3