Mission Aboard the Dragon Capsule to the ISS

On August 1, 2025, the Dragon capsule lifted off towards the International Space Station (ISS), marking an important step in space exploration.

Dragon capsule launch and international collaboration

The launch of the Dragon capsule in August 1, 2025 at the Kennedy Space Center, located in Florida, marked an important moment of international cooperation in space.

Four astronauts participated in this mission to the International Space Station, symbolizing the union of efforts between United States, Japan and Russia.

The selection of Kennedy Space Center for the launch reflects its significant contribution to space exploration.

Each participating nation sent valuable members to this mission, demonstrating continued global collaboration for scientific and technological advancement.

• Two astronauts from the United States
• An astronaut from Japan
• A cosmonaut from Russia

The presence of this diverse crew on the Dragon capsule not only highlighted collaboration between different countries, but also highlighted NASA's ongoing commitment to fostering international partnerships.

The mission, in addition to its scientific objective, served as a reminder the importance of global cooperation in space.

Planned mission duration to the International Space Station

The mission that began in August 2025 at the International Space Station has a minimum planned duration of six months, but there is the possibility of extension until April 2026.

This flexibility is essential for the success of space missions, as it allows adjustments according to needs and advances in research carried out on board.

The mission's scientific objectives include studies on the effects of microgravity on the human body, biological experiments, and improvements in onboard technologies, contributing not only to scientific advances but also to future exploration of other planets, such as Mars.

The decision to extend the astronauts' stay on the ISS depends on a series of logistical assessments and practical results of the experiments.

NASA carefully analyzes the station's life support capacity, equipment performance, and crew health before determining the return schedule extension, ensuring the safety and continued success of space operations.

Starliner Capsule Challenges and Post-ISS Plans

The capsule Starliner, from Boeing, faces significant challenges due to test flight failures.

After several unsuccessful attempts, NASA decided to temporarily suspend its use, requiring a thorough investigation to ensure the safety of future missions.

These technical complications increase pressure on Boeing, which is seeking to rehabilitate the capsule as a viable alternative to SpaceX launches.

Furthermore, with the expected retirement of International Space Station (ISS) in 2030, NASA finds itself needing to restructure its logistical plans for space missions.

Starliner could play a crucial role in this new scenario, but first, it is essential to resolve the detected flaws.

Below, we present some possibilities for future use of the Starliner, if its rehabilitation is successful:

• Participation in cargo missions to supply commercial space stations
• Crew transportation on shorter or specific routes
• Backup in emergency situations involving other aircraft

In short, the Dragon Capsule mission represents not only a breakthrough in international collaboration, but also a challenge for the future of space exploration.