Mission Pictures: SpaceX's 1st Dragon Flight to Space Station

SpaceX Dragon Spotted in ISS Cameras

NASA TV

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft (bright light) is seen in cameras mounted to the exterior of the space station during its first flyby in this still from a NASA broadcast on May 24, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon at ISS: Space Station in Sight

NASA TV

SpaceX's Dragon capsule sees the International Space Station in a thermal imager in this view taken from the unmanned commercial spacecraft during historic rendezvous demonstrations on May 25, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon at ISS: Colorful Clouds

SpaceX/NASA TV

This spectacular view shows SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft (left) with clouds on Earth as a colorful backdrop as seen by cameras on the International Space Station during the capsule's approach on May 25, 2012.

SpaceX Dragon ISS Flyby Photo

NASA

This view of SpaceX's first Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station was captured by Expedition 31 astronauts during the capsule's first flyby on May 24, 2012.

Dragon Spacecraft Nearing ISS

NASA

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches the International Space Station for a series of tests to clear it for its final rendezvous and grapple the next day. This image was taken on May 24, 2012.

Dragon Spacecraft Nearing ISS

NASA

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches the International Space Station for a series of tests to clear it for its final rendezvous and grapple the next day. This image was taken on May 24, 2012.

SpaceX Chief Elon Musk Celebrates Launch Success

SpaceX

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk smiles after the successful launch of SpaceX's first Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule launch to the International Space Station on May 22, 2012. Musk watched the Florida launch from SpaceX's mission control in California.

Dragon Spacecraft Nearing ISS

NASA

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft approaches the International Space Station for a series of tests to clear it for its final rendezvous and grapple the next day. This image was taken on May 24, 2012.

Thermal Image of Earth Taken by Dragon

SpaceX (via Twitter @SpaceX)

SpaceX tweeted this image taken by the Dragon capsule in orbit on May 22, 2012. The company wrote: "Earth as seen by a thermal imager that Dragon will use in its approach to the International Space Station. pic.twitter.com/jxv6t3et."

SpaceX Dragon Spreads Wings

SpaceX

View from SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft looking outward at one of two solar array panels in the process of deploying after launch on May 22, 2012.

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Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.