CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — NASA is reporting that the International Space Station Expedition 31 crew successfully captured the SpaceX Dragon capsule with the station’s robotic arm at 9:56 AM EDT.

UPDATE: Space X Dragon Poised For International Space Station Docking

The feat came 3 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes and 23 seconds after the mission’s launch. The station was 251 miles over northwest Australia when capture occurred..  

In a brief e-mail to media, SpaceX spokesperson Kristin Brost Grantham said, “CAPTURE COMPLETE!”

This will be the first time in space history that a private commercial company has docked with the International Space Station.

Below are the status updates leading to the capture of the SpaceX Dragon capsule.

Time for the grapple attempt remains approximately 8 a.m.

Fri, 25 May 2012 07:31:08 AM EDT UPDATE


The SpaceX Dragon mission continues to progress smoothly and the capsule has been cleared to enter 200-meter “keep out” sphere around International Space Station. It will hold at 150 meters for additional testing before moving to the next hold point at 30 meters.

Dragon Capture Time Updated

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:05:34 AM EDT


The projected capture time for the SpaceX Dragon capsule by the International Space Station is now 9:10 a.m. EDT.


Fri, 25 May 2012 08:55 AM EDT


NASA TWEET: “#Dragon holding @ 70m from #ISS. @SpaceX engineers configuring nav systems to remove glint of light off of station module before grapple.”


Fri, 25 May 2012 09:16 AM EDT
 
NASA TWEET: “@SpaceX #Dragon arrives at 30 meter hold point from #ISS. Controllers timing when vehicle is ready for 10 meter hold. http://go.usa.gov/0CY”


Fri, 25 May 2012 09:30 AM EDT


Go given for @SpaceX Dragon capsule to approach inside 30 meters at approx. 9:32 a.m. EDT. The new scheduled grapple time is 10:02 a.m.