If you want to visit the international space station, there are two ways to get there: Dragon spacecraft, or by the Russian Soyuz system. A third option, Boeing’s Starliner, has flown an unmanned test, as part of a NASA space station resupply contract.
NASA itself has the Orion spacecraft, although this is primarily designed for lunar and deep space exploration. These systems are about to be joined by a fourth: Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser, now ready for delivery to the NASA Armstrong Research Centre for testing.
Why a fourth crewed spacecraft for ISS transportation? It’s part of a long-range NASA goal to increase competition in the commercial space industry and to provide redundancy to ensure uninterrupted station operations.
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