Space-X DRAGON (manned/unmanned) capsule.

[Flyaway]

 

[Flyaway]

The #CrewDragon countdown begins!

We discuss the exciting development with former @NASA Deputy Administrator @Lori_Garver on a new episode of Planetary Radio.

Listen where you get podcasts or at https://t.co/8d2gfKOE4Z pic.twitter.com/GNwIZCi7N9

— Planetary Society (@exploreplanets) May 8, 2020

 

[Flyaway]

NASA Kennedy
KSC-20200501-PH-SPX02_0001
SpaceX completed its 27th and final test of Crew Dragon’s Mark 3 parachute system on Friday, May 1, 2020, that will be used during the Demo-2 mission to safely land the spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley back from the International Space Station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Crew Dragon will carry Behnken and Hurley atop a Falcon 9 rocket, returning crew launches to the space station from U.S. soil for the first time since the Space Shuttle Program ended in 2011.
Photo credit: SpaceX

 

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[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1259570870655336455

 

[Flyaway]

Space Force troops preparing for possibility of having to rescue NASA astronauts

The unit known as Detachment 3 is responsible to rescue astronauts if they have to abort the mission.

spacenews.com

 

[FighterJock]

Space Force troops preparing for possibility of having to rescue NASA astronauts

The unit known as Detachment 3 is responsible to rescue astronauts if they have to abort the mission.

spacenews.com

It is a good idea to have back up crew from the Space Force ready to go just in case anything does go wrong on the first flight, because the last thing SpaceX needs right now is another Columbia/Challenger disaster and especially when it is the first flight. Hopefully nothing will go wrong.

 

[Byeman]

It is a good idea to have back up crew from the Space Force ready to go just in case anything does go wrong on the first flight, because the last thing SpaceX needs right now is another Columbia/Challenger disaster and especially when it is the first flight. Hopefully nothing will go wrong.

Backup crew for what?

 

[FighterJock]

It is a good idea to have back up crew from the Space Force ready to go just in case anything does go wrong on the first flight, because the last thing SpaceX needs right now is another Columbia/Challenger disaster and especially when it is the first flight. Hopefully nothing will go wrong.

Backup crew for what?

Oops, I ment to say the rescue crew.

 

[Byeman]

It is a good idea to have back up crew from the Space Force ready to go just in case anything does go wrong on the first flight, because the last thing SpaceX needs right now is another Columbia/Challenger disaster and especially when it is the first flight. Hopefully nothing will go wrong.

Backup crew for what?

Oops, I ment to say the rescue crew.

It will be there for all manned missions.

 

[Flyaway]

Demo-2 Astronauts Bob and Doug are set to arrive at KSC this coming Wednesday! This is starting to feel real folks, and I can’t be any more excited for May 27th than I already am.

Photos taken during DM-1 Press Conference #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/pnTvHT2yZr

— Nathan Barker (@NASA_Nerd) May 15, 2020

 

[Flyaway]

 

[Flyaway]

The Crew Dragon has arrived to Launch Complex 39A! 🐉

This spacecraft will carry @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug to the @Space_Station when it launches atop a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on May 27, at 4:33 p.m. ET: https://t.co/yvfOCG49U8 pic.twitter.com/Tdtdaucdef

— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) May 18, 2020

 

[Flyaway]

For DM-2, SpaceX droneship 'Of Course I Still Love You' will be positioned ~510km downrange to recover Falcon 9.

For perspective, OCISLY was positioned 490km downrange for DM-1 and is normally positioned ~629km downrange for Starlink launches. pic.twitter.com/EYA4Ufl8lQ

— Gav Cornwell (@spaceOFFSHORE) May 18, 2020

 

[Flyaway]

The crew has departed for @NASAKennedy! ✈️

NASA astronauts @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug are expected to arrive at the Launch and Landing Facility runway at the spaceport today around 4 p.m. EDT. Tune in to the broadcast live on NASA TV and online at https://t.co/Fz1bcSczxD. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/iIQZr5M99k

— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) May 20, 2020

A new era in human spaceflight begins now!
Our hometown heroes, @Astro_Doug and @AstroBehnken, leave Ellington Field in Houston and are officially on their way to @NASAKennedy ahead of #LaunchAmerica on May 27!

We are with you every step of the way. Safe travels and godspeed! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/1EoolI3XNH

— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) May 20, 2020

The astronauts who will become the first Americans to launch to the @Space_Station from American soil in nearly a decade have arrived! 🧑‍🚀

Tune in live as @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug answer questions about their mission, which is set to launch May 27: https://t.co/A9sbAYbCl3 pic.twitter.com/RLWEsU8jot

— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) May 20, 2020

Doug says their mission length on station is still up in the air right now, "it's a lot of juggling going on right now and trades being made."

Doug says he got an email from Chris Cassidy last night saying he's "looking forward to seeing our 'ugly mugs' on" the space station. pic.twitter.com/IzPdsknfut

— Joey Roulette (@joroulette) May 20, 2020

 

[Flyaway]

Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 in the hangar at Launch Complex 39A pic.twitter.com/l758CdYXNQ

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 21, 2020

 

[Flyaway]

 

[Flyaway]

The Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon are now standing vertical at pad 39A: https://t.co/Y9pANccivZ pic.twitter.com/7sNdtBCHV4

— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) May 21, 2020

Happening Now ➡️ @NASA and @SpaceX managers are gathered at @NASAKennedy for the #LaunchAmerica Flight Readiness Review. 🚀🇺🇸

Approximately one hour after the review ends, the agency will hold a news conference on NASA Television: https://t.co/YUzGaFSK19 pic.twitter.com/epjCcRPdT2

— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) May 21, 2020

SpaceX Demo-2: Flight Readiness Review Underway at Kennedy – Commercial Crew Program

go.nasa.gov

 

[Grey Havoc]

Nasa SpaceX launch: Astronauts get to work ahead of historic flight

Nasa's Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are a week away from their flight to the space station.

www.bbc.com

Meet the First NASA Astronauts SpaceX Will Launch To Orbit - Slashdot

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are about to star in the biggest spaceflight event of the decade: launching on the inaugural flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. For years, they've anticipated this moment, picturing throngs of...

science.slashdot.org

 

[FighterJock]

Preparation's are well under way at Pad 39A Cape Canaveral for the launch of the SpaceX Demo 2 return to space mission.

https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/spacex-rocket-prepared-for-demo-2-mission/

 

[Flyaway]

One step closer to launch! 🚀

The @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon are now on the launch pad ahead of liftoff, which is slated for May 27 at 4:33 pm ET. The mission will mark the first time astronauts have launched from U.S. soil since 2011: https://t.co/6ZixIS3upc pic.twitter.com/DOjQRqUp2g

— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) May 21, 2020

 

[FighterJock]

One step closer to launch! 🚀

The @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon are now on the launch pad ahead of liftoff, which is slated for May 27 at 4:33 pm ET. The mission will mark the first time astronauts have launched from U.S. soil since 2011: https://t.co/6ZixIS3upc pic.twitter.com/DOjQRqUp2g

— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) May 21, 2020

Getting rather excited about this launch, next Wednesday cannot come fast enough. Let's hope that it is at a decent time so that it means that I do not have to get up during the middle of the night.

 

[Flyaway]

In this NASA photo, commercial program manager Kathy Lueders signs SpaceX's “Human Rating Certification Package” during today’s Flight Readiness Review.

At the end of the FRR, they’ll sign a document known as the CoFR (pronounced “kofer”) — the Certification Of Flight Readiness. pic.twitter.com/125VWHAYsC

— Stephen Clark (@StephenClark1) May 21, 2020

 

[Flyaway]

Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon are vertical on the launch pad pic.twitter.com/2nw9h0jxde

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 21, 2020

 

[Flyaway]

NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 Flight Readiness Review to Conclude on Friday – Commercial Crew Program

blogs.nasa.gov

F9/Demo 2: Along with the FRR results, SpaceX plans to test fire the Falcon 9's main engines Friday afternoon and the crew will participate in a dress-rehearsal countdown at the launch pad Saturday

— William Harwood (@cbs_spacenews) May 21, 2020

 

[fredymac]

 

[Flyaway]

Post Flight Readiness Review Press Conference now scheduled for 1:00 pm EDT today! #LaunchAmerica https://t.co/Qs6EihhAWn

— Nathan Barker (@NASA_Nerd) May 22, 2020

 

[FighterJock]

Post Flight Readiness Review Press Conference now scheduled for 1:00 pm EDT today! #LaunchAmerica https://t.co/Qs6EihhAWn

— Nathan Barker (@NASA_Nerd) May 22, 2020

Trust the weather to get in the road of the launch.

 

[Sferrin]

Post Flight Readiness Review Press Conference now scheduled for 1:00 pm EDT today! #LaunchAmerica https://t.co/Qs6EihhAWn

— Nathan Barker (@NASA_Nerd) May 22, 2020

Trust the weather to get in the road of the launch.

It already blew up last week end. I wonder if space launch will ever get to the point of being able to fly in anything but a clear sky. Imagine if the airlines shut down every time there was rain or wind.

 

[FighterJock]

Post Flight Readiness Review Press Conference now scheduled for 1:00 pm EDT today! #LaunchAmerica https://t.co/Qs6EihhAWn

— Nathan Barker (@NASA_Nerd) May 22, 2020

Trust the weather to get in the road of the launch.

It already blew up last week end. I wonder if space launch will ever get to the point of being able to fly in anything but a clear sky. Imagine if the airlines shut down every time there was rain or wind.

I see your point sferrin, but I suppose both NASA and SpaceX have to be extra careful when dealing with human spaceflight you do not want another potential Challenger disaster and not one on the first flight.

 

[Sferrin]

I see your point sferrin, but I suppose both NASA and SpaceX have to be extra careful when dealing with human spaceflight you do not want another potential Challenger disaster and not one on the first flight.

Oh, I know. I wasn't talking about this launch specifically, but in general. IIRC the Russians seem less concerned about it. At least one of their rockets got struck by lighting on the way up. (Come to think of it, didn't one of the Apollos as well?)

 

[bob225]

yep apollo 12: https://www.space.com/apollo-12-lightning-strike-twice-launch-video.html

 

[Flyaway]

Static fire of Falcon 9 complete – targeting Wednesday, May 27 at 4:33 p.m. EDT for Crew Dragon’s launch to the @Space_Station with @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug on board → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK pic.twitter.com/bhcTq4jxAr

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 22, 2020

 

[fredymac]

 

[Flyaway]

Amazing new satellite photos of Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon on KSC 39A have just been released. Captured by Maxar’s WorldView-3 satellite.

(Satellite images ©2020 Maxar Technologies) pic.twitter.com/5OmCAYzeWo

— NSF - NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) May 23, 2020

How do you do a 4+ hour webcast this coming Wednesday for the Falcon 9/Crew Demo 2 mission? Practice! Lots of moving parts and pieces. Today gave us a chance to do it in parallel with crew rehearsal. https://t.co/Rykh39Wtbi

— John Insprucker (@jinsprucker) May 24, 2020

Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken plan to reveal a name for their Crew Dragon spaceship on the day they launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, reclaiming a tradition that dates back to the dawn of the Space Age.

FULL STORY: https://t.co/ZMWpmcGqqu pic.twitter.com/0kmNoUFVnI

— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) May 23, 2020

 

[Grey Havoc]

Nasa SpaceX launch: Astronauts complete rehearsal for historic mission

Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken ready themselves and their kit for Wednesday's flight to the space station.

www.bbc.com

 

[FighterJock]

Nasa SpaceX launch: Astronauts complete rehearsal for historic mission

Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken ready themselves and their kit for Wednesday's flight to the space station.

www.bbc.com

Excellent news Grey Havoc, I for one cannot wait until Wednesday.

 

[Flyaway]

OCISLY headed out in support of Wed's #SpaceX DM-2 launch, towed by former lead tug Hawk, with Christine S pushing. Weather forecast is not looking good right now for Wed & even some clouds building in the background of this mornings departure of #OCISLY #NASA #SpaceXFleet pic.twitter.com/SDFlJizKWn

— Greg Scott (@GregScott_photo) May 24, 2020

https://twitter.com/x/status/1264539030013857793

 

[Flyaway]

pic.twitter.com/iSGrzHgENp

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 24, 2020

 

[Flyaway]

This map is through Wednesday for a possible tropical storm with the #SpaceCoast in the middle. If the launch slips Saturday is the next attempt. #SpaceX #LaunchAmerica #DM2 #NASASocial pic.twitter.com/JFDQ1ZnONl

— Tom (@Cygnusx112) May 24, 2020

Pres Trump's week ahead schedule includes:

-Monday: wreath laying at Arlington and Memorial Day Ceremony at Ft. McHenry
-Tuesday: swearing in of John Ratcliffe as DNI
-Wednesday: attends manned SpaceX launch at Kennedy Space Center
-Thursday: Briefing on 2020 Hurricane Season.

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) May 24, 2020