Marcia Dunn

AP Aerospace Writer

From left to right: pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Shannon Walker, Crew Dragon commander Michael Hopkins, JAXA astronaut and mission specialist Soichi Noguchi and flight engineer Kate Rubins hold a news conference aboard the International Space Station, Nov. 19, 2020.

Astronaut Says SpaceX Launch Beats Shuttle, Soyuz

Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi — only the third person to launch aboard all three — said the Dragon “really wanted to go to space.”

Russian astronauts Commander Sergey Ryzhikov, left, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov outside the International Space Station, Nov. 18, 2020.

Spacewalking Astronauts Prep for Lab's Arrival

The Pirs spacewalking module will be removed and junked to make room for the long-delayed Nauka research lab.

SpaceX Dragon capsule approaches the International Space Station, Nov. 16, 2020.

SpaceX Capsule Reaches Space Station

The Dragon capsule docked after a 27-hour, completely automated flight from Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX Falcon9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon capsule attached, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Fla., Nov. 15, 2020.

SpaceX Launches Full-Fledged NASA Crew Mission

NASA hopes the launch will be the first of many crew rotations between the U.S. and International Space Station.

The International Space Station seen from Space Shuttle Discovery, March 7, 2011.

Space Station Marks 20 Years of People Living in Orbit

Astronauts from 19 countries have floated through its hatches, including many repeat visitors and several tourists.

In this undated image provided by NASA, a sample container hovers over a capsule on the Osiris-Rex spacecraft near the asteroid Bennu.

Asteroid Samples Tucked into Capsule for Return to Earth

The NASA spacecraft snagged more than 2 pounds from asteroid Bennu, more than 200 million miles away.

A nearly full moon rises behind an office building in Kansas City, Mo., Sept. 30, 2020.

Moon Holds More Water than Previously Thought

That’s good news for astronauts at future lunar bases.

The Osiris-Rex spacecraft touches the surface of asteroid Bennu, Oct. 20, 2020.

Asteroid Samples Escaping from Jammed NASA Spacecraft

The precious particles are drifting away in space.

The Osiris-Rex spacecraft touches the surface of asteroid Bennu, Oct. 20, 2020.

Spacecraft Sent Asteroid Rubble Flying

Footage of the touch-and-go operation raised hopes that Osiris-Rex successfully collected samples.

The Osiris-Rex spacecraft's primary sample collection site, named 'Nightingale,' on the asteroid Bennu.

Spacecraft Touches Asteroid for Rare Rubble Grab

If successful, Osiris-Rex will return the samples in 2023.

The asteroid Bennu seen from the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.

Spacecraft Attempts to Sample Ancient Asteroid

Osiris-Rex will descend to the treacherous, boulder-packed surface of asteroid Bennu.

Lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin carries a seismic experiments package and the Laser Ranging Retroreflector to the deployment area at Tranquility Base, July 20, 1969.

NASA Bans Fighting, Littering on the Moon

And no trespassing at historic lunar landmarks like Apollo 11′s Tranquility Base.