The last Dragon spacecraft that SpaceX plans to build entered orbit for the first time with "grace."
Taking flight on Wednesday (June 25) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the capsule lifted off with Axiom Space's fourth crew to visit the International Space Station. Ax-4 commander Peggy Whitson revealed the spacecraft's name just as it separated from its rocket's upper stage to begin its maiden mission.
"We had an incredible ride uphill and now we'd like to set our course for the International Space Station aboard the newest member of the Dragon fleet, our spacecraft named 'Grace,'" said Whitson, who in addition to leading Ax-4 is the director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space and a former NASA astronaut who holds the record for the most time in space by an American and by a woman.
"'Grace' is more than a name," Whitson said. "It reflects the elegance with which we move through space against the backdrop of Earth. It speaks to the refinement of our mission, the harmony of science and spirit and the unmerited favor we carry with humility."
"Grace reminds us that spaceflight is not just a seed of engineering, but an act of good work for the benefit of every human everywhere," she said.
