Space-X Dragon returns Astronauts (OK, Astro-Mice) safely to earth.

[cbelt3]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/25/tech/space...?hpt=hp_t2

Booyah !

[freeradical]

How long till we're free of the Russians for support in getting to the space station?

[Paul F.]

freeradical wrote:
How long till we're free of the Russians for support in getting to the space station?

Late 2107 would be the most optomistic estimate.
Mid 2018 is probably more accurate.
Unless, of course, SpaceX, Boeing, or Sierra Nevada pull one or more rabbits out of someplace and they fly earlier than anyone expects.
Of the three, SpaceX is furthest along, but Boeing can shift resources to "fast track" things like no one else in the race.

[sekker]

Very cool. They brought over 3000 lbs of stuff back.

This is currently the ONLY way to bring anything large back from the ISS.

[davester]

Paul F. wrote:
Unless, of course, SpaceX, Boeing, or Sierra Nevada pull one or more rabbits out of someplace and they fly earlier than anyone expects.

Here are a couple of the Sierra Nevada spaceships:

[Paul F.]

And here's the other Sierra Nevada's spacecraft...
Not as shiny, and doesn't contain beer, and not as far along as SpaceX's Dragon or Boeings CST100... but sure classy looking.