Spacewalk opens door for Boeing, SpaceX crews

Rubins and Williams plan to conduct a spacewalk on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, to install a new docking port that will enable the future arrival of U.S. commercial crew spacecraft. MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Astronauts ventured out Friday to install a ring on the International Space Station to receive astronauts in commercial spaceships expected to launch from Florida within the next 18 months. Expedition 48 commander Jeff Williams and flight engineer Kate Rubins hooked up the docking port in just a few hours. The port is slated for Boeing and SpaceX capsules now being developed under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Friday's success paved the way for future spaceships.