This incredibly successful investor-cum-entrepreneur has taken space travel to the next level!

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has revealed its first manned spacecraft at a live launch event in California. The Dragon V2 is capable of carrying seven astronauts for several days to and from the International Space Station, docking automatically with the station, and landing gently “almost anywhere on Earth” using its propulsion system.

The shuttle will be able to dock itself automatically to the ISS and land back on earth “with the accuracy of a helicopter.” This NASA funded technology could result in independence from Russian transport to the ISS (a huge plus in light of current tensions between the two nations) and is reported to be ready for operation for a manned flight from as soon as 2016.

SpaceX are not the only ones working on building a more sustainable space shuttle for NASA but it seems they are the most advanced in their development of the cutting edge technology. This is also the first shuttle to be fitted with a “fully printed engine” – now that is impressive!

This is a very large step towards commercial space travel and it pretty darn exciting news for us mere mortals!

[Source: The Verge]