posted 04-17-2020 11:34 AM               

NASA, SpaceX to Launch First Astronauts to Space Station from U.S. Since 2011

A new era of human spaceflight is set to begin as American astronauts once again launch on an American rocket from American soil to the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will fly on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, lifting off on a Falcon 9 rocket at 4:32 p.m. EDT May 27, from Launch Complex 39A in Florida, for an extended stay at the space station for the Demo-2 mission. The specific duration of the mission is to be determined.

As the final flight test for SpaceX, this mission will validate the company's crew transportation system, including the launch pad, rocket, spacecraft, and operational capabilities. This also will be the first time NASA astronauts will test the spacecraft systems in orbit.

Behnken and Hurley were among the first astronauts to begin working and training on SpaceX's next-generation human space vehicle and were selected for their extensive test pilot and flight experience, including several missions on the space shuttle.

Behnken will be the joint operations commander for the mission, responsible for activities such as rendezvous, docking and undocking, as well as Demo-2 activities while the spacecraft is docked to the space station. He was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000 and has completed two space shuttle flights. Behnken flew STS-123 in March 2008 and STS-130 in February 2010, and he performed three spacewalks during each mission. Born in St. Anne, Missouri, he has bachelor's degrees in physics and mechanical engineering from Washington University and earned a master's and doctorate in mechanical engineering from California Institute of Technology. Before joining NASA, Behnken was a flight test engineer with the U.S. Air Force.

Hurley will be the spacecraft commander for Demo-2, responsible for activities such as launch, landing and recovery. He was selected as an astronaut in 2000 and has completed two spaceflights. Hurley served as pilot and lead robotics operator for both STS‐127 in July 2009 and STS‐135, the final space shuttle mission, in July 2011. The New York native was born in Endicott but considers Apalachin his hometown. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Tulane University in Louisiana and graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Maryland. Before joining NASA, he was a fighter pilot and test pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Lifting off from Launch Pad 39A atop a specially instrumented Falcon 9 rocket, Crew Dragon will accelerate its two passengers to approximately 17,000 mph and put it on an intercept course with the International Space Station. Once in orbit, the crew and SpaceX mission control will verify the spacecraft is performing as intended by testing the environmental control system, the displays and control system and the maneuvering thrusters, among other things. In about 24 hours, Crew Dragon will be in position to rendezvous and dock with the space station. The spacecraft is designed to do this autonomously but astronauts aboard the spacecraft and the station will be diligently monitoring approach and docking and can take control of the spacecraft if necessary.

After successfully docking, Behnken and Hurley will be welcomed aboard station and will become members of the Expedition 63 crew. They will perform tests on Crew Dragon in addition to conducting research and other tasks with the space station crew.

Although the Crew Dragon being used for this flight test can stay in orbit about 110 days, the specific mission duration will be determined once on station based on the readiness of the next commercial crew launch. The operational Crew Dragon spacecraft will be capable of staying in orbit for at least 210 days as a NASA requirement.

Upon conclusion of the mission, Crew Dragon will autonomously undock with the two astronauts on board, depart the space station and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. Upon splashdown just off Florida's Atlantic Coast, the crew will be picked up at sea by SpaceX's Go Navigator recovery vessel and return to Cape Canaveral.

The Demo-2 mission will be the final major step before NASA's Commercial Crew Program certifies Crew Dragon for operational, long-duration missions to the space station. This certification and regular operation of Crew Dragon will enable NASA to continue the important research and technology investigations taking place onboard the station, which benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future exploration of the Moon and Mars starting with the agency's Artemis program, which will land the first woman and the next man on the lunar surface in 2024.

posted 05-18-2020 04:09 PM               

Crew Dragon Spacecraft Arrives at Launch Complex for NASA's SpaceX Demo-2

The pace of prelaunch activities continues to pick up at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as teams prepare for the upcoming launch of the agency's SpaceX Demo-2 mission — the first launch of astronauts from America's premier multi-user spaceport in nearly a decade.

Above: The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft arrives at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, transported from the company’s processing facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Friday, May 15, 2020, in preparation for the Demo-2 flight test. (NASA/Kim Shiflett)

On the Demo-2 flight test, NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will fly to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft launched by a Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff from Kennedy's Launch Complex 39A is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, at 4:33 p.m. EDT.

Late Friday night, May 15, the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft arrived at Launch Complex 39A after making the trek from its processing facility at nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

posted 05-21-2020 12:42 AM               

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley spoke to members of the media after arriving at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center ahead of SpaceX's Demo-2 mission, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, in Florida.

posted 05-21-2020 12:46 AM               

Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 in the hangar at Launch Complex 39A.

posted 05-21-2020 10:19 AM               

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen as it is raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Demo-2 mission, Thursday, May 21, 2020, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

posted 05-22-2020 01:03 PM               

Demo-2 'Go' to Proceed Toward May 27 Launch

The Flight Readiness Review has concluded, and NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission is cleared to proceed toward liftoff on the first crewed flight of the agency's Commercial Crew Program.

Launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station, is slated for Wednesday, May 27, at 4:33 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

posted 05-22-2020 05:07 PM               

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A during a brief static fire test ahead of NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission, Friday, May 22, 2020, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

posted 05-25-2020 05:09 PM               

NASA, SpaceX Clear Demo-2 Mission for Launch

The Launch Readiness Review for NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission has concluded at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA and SpaceX key managers have given the "go" for launch on a mission that will return human spaceflight to the International Space Station from U.S. soil on an American rocket and spacecraft as a part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, at 4:33 p.m. EDT from Kennedy's Launch Complex 39A.

posted 05-27-2020 12:00 AM               

NASA astronauts avoided turning SpaceX's Crew Dragon into 'Bob & Doug's excellent machine'

Almost 60 years after the Mercury astronauts got their window, a new NASA crew is set to launch on a new type of capsule again. This spacecraft already had windows as part of its initial design, but even had it not, astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were careful about what requests they made to customize their SpaceX Crew Dragon.

"I think for both Doug and I, our goal through this entire process has been to not turn this spacecraft into 'Bob and Doug's excellent machine,'" said Behnken.

posted 05-27-2020 12:25 PM               

Astronauts on Way to Launch Pad 39A

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are on their way to Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A after departing the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building across the spaceport.

There to see them of were Vice President Mike Pence, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk, along with their family, friends and support team members.

Then they climbed into a customized white Tesla Model X for the 20-minute ride to the pad. The crew's vehicle is traveling in the middle of a convoy including support team members and security personnel.

At the launch site, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are ready for the crew's arrival.

posted 05-27-2020 12:55 PM               

Crew Members Climb Aboard Crew Dragon

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley arrived at Launch Complex 39A and took the elevator up to the 255-foot level of the fixed service structure. They then took a short flight of stairs to the crew access level, where they crossed the crew access arm – the walkway from the fixed service structure over to the White Room and the waiting SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

Spacecraft commander Hurley entered the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft first, followed shortly after by Demo-2 joint operations commander Behnken, seated to Hurley's right. SpaceX technicians helped them get situated and buckled in.

As the astronauts boarded, their seats were configured in the upright position; later, prior to closure of the spacecraft's side hatch, the seats will be rotated into a reclined position for flight.

posted 05-27-2020 01:55 PM               

Crew Dragon's Hatch Confirmed Closed

The hatch through which NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 crew members entered the Crew Dragon spacecraft has been closed and a leak check is complete.

Launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley remains scheduled for 4:33 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A. Teams continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the area.

posted 05-27-2020 02:22 PM               

Countdown Proceeding as Planned

The countdown is proceeding according to schedule.

Some of the major milestones still to come. (Times are shown in "L-time" – minutes and seconds prior to launch time.)

• -45:00 SpaceX Launch Director verifies "go" for propellant load
  
• -42:00 Crew access arm retracts
  
• -37:00 Dragon launch escape system is armed
  
• -35:00 RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins
  
• -35:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
  
• -16:00 2nd stage LOX loading begins
  
• -07:00 Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
  
• -05:00 Dragon transitions to internal power
  
• -01:00 Flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
  
• -01:00 Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
  
• -00:45 SpaceX Launch Director verifies "go" for launch
  
• -00:03 Controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
  
• -00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff

posted 05-27-2020 02:53 PM               

Loading of Falcon 9 Rocket Propellants Begins

At Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A, valves are open and propellants are beginning to flow into the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX Launch Director Mike Taylor verified the launch team was "go" to begin loading the Falcon 9 rocket's propellants – liquid oxygen and a refined, rocket-grade kerosene called RP-1 – into the rocket's first and second stages.

The crew access arm that provided a walkway for the SpaceX Demo-2 crew earlier has been retracted from the rocket.

The Crew Dragon's launch escape system (LES), consisting of a set of eight SuperDraco engines integrated into the spacecraft's body, has been armed in preparation for launch. The LES is designed to separate the spacecraft from the Falcon 9 rocket and carry the crew away to safety in the unlikely event of an emergency.

The Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon spacecraft are in good shape; the team continues to monitor weather.

posted 05-27-2020 03:28 PM               

Launch Attempt Scrubbed Due to Weather

SpaceX scrubbed its first launch attempt of the Demo-2 test flight due to unfavorable weather conditions around Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The constraints in violation included:

• Do not launch within 10 nautical miles of the edge of a thunderstorm that is producing lightning within 30 minutes after the last lightning is observed.

• Do not launch for 15 minutes if field mill instrument readings within five nautical miles of the launch pad exceed +/- 1,500 volts per meter, or +/- 1,000 volts per meter if specified criteria can be met.

• Do not launch within 10 nautical miles of an attached thunderstorm anvil cloud, unless temperature and time-associated distance criteria can be met.

"We could see some raindrops on the windows and just figured whatever it was was too close to the launchpad at a time we needed it not to be," said Doug Hurley after the scrub. "So we appreciate that and understand everybody is a little bit bummed out. It is just part of the deal. Everybody was ready today and we appreciate that. and the ship looked great and we'll do it again, I think on Saturday."

The next attempt will be at 3:22 p.m. EDT on Saturday (May 30).

posted 05-30-2020 11:10 AM               

Astronauts Depart for Launchpad

Beginning their second attempt at launching on SpaceX's Demo-2 mission, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley have departed for Launch Complex 39A.

The astronauts' ride to the pad is a customized Tesla Model X outfitted with cooling air for their pressure suits. Their vehicle, which bears the license plate "ISSBND" ("ISS Bound"), is traveling as part of a convoy including support team members and security personnel.

The countdown continues for today's (May 30) scheduled 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT) launch. Weather is a concern with the chances of favorable conditions at launch time being 50 percent.

posted 05-30-2020 11:57 AM               

Astronauts Board Crew Dragon Spacecraft

After arriving at the launchpad, Demo-2 spacecraft commander Doug Hurley climbed aboard the Crew Dragon, followed by joint operations commander Bob Behnken, sitting to Hurley's right.

For the boarding process, the Crew Dragon's seats were configured in the upright position; after the astronauts were situated, the seats were rotated into a reclined position to give them easier access to the overhead control displays during the flight.

Hurley is in Seat 2 and Behnken is to his right in Seat 3. The Crew Dragon can carry up to four astronauts. Seats 1 and 4 are vacant for this mission.

posted 05-30-2020 02:33 PM               

SpaceX launches first NASA astronauts to fly from US since shuttle

In a sight that has been absent for nearly a decade, a rocket carrying NASA astronauts launched from the United States, beginning a new era of American human spaceflight.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley lifted off on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on Saturday (May 30), on a test flight to the International Space Station. The two crew members became the first U.S. astronauts to enter Earth orbit from U.S. soil since the retirement of NASA's space shuttle program nine years ago this July.

Riding atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Behnken and Hurley took flight at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

posted 05-30-2020 10:10 PM               

Astronauts name SpaceX spaceship 'Endeavour' after retired shuttle

The first NASA astronauts to launch from the U.S. since the end of the space shuttle program have named their commercial spacecraft after one of the retired winged orbiters.

Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken revealed the name of their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule during a live broadcast from Earth orbit, about three hours after they lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday (May 30).

"I know most of you, at SpaceX especially, know it as 'Capsule 206,' but I think all of us thought that maybe we could do a little bit better than that," Hurley said, in part addressing the team in SpaceX's mission control at the company's spacecraft and rocket assembly facility in Hawthorne, California. "So without further ado, we would like to welcome you aboard capsule 'Endeavour.'"

posted 05-31-2020 10:33 AM               

NASA astronauts enter space station after historic SpaceX docking

For the past nine years, all of the crew members who came aboard the International Space Station, did so through the Russian side of the orbiting laboratory.

That changed on Sunday (May 31), when two NASA astronauts floated into the U.S. segment from aboard a U.S. commercial spacecraft that had launched the day before from the United States.

posted 07-08-2020 02:15 PM               

Crew Dragon habitability test

Four out of the five Expedition 63 crew members assessed comfort factors inside the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon on Wednesday (July 8) in a demonstration of the spacecraft's habitability ahead of the start of regular crewed flights.

Demo-2 crew members Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken were joined by station commander Chris Cassidy and flight engineer Anatoly Ivanishin for the one-hour test. The crew arranged the cabin to suit the four residents and reported their comfort levels to engineers on the ground.

posted 07-29-2020 02:16 PM               

NASA, SpaceX preparing for crew return

NASA and SpaceX teams remain "go" for the return of the agency's SpaceX Demo-2 test flight with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley from the International Space Station following a return flight readiness review, with the primary factor being weather.

NASA and SpaceX are targeting Saturday, Aug. 1 at 7:34 p.m. EDT (2334 GMT) for undocking of the Dragon "Endeavour" spacecraft, setting up a splashdown at 2:42 p.m. EDT (1842 GMT) on Sunday, Aug. 2, which will be the first return of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft carrying astronauts from the space station.

posted 07-31-2020 08:42 AM               

NASA and SpaceX remain 'go' for splashdown

Following a comprehensive review of the latest weather forecast in the areas surrounding each of seven potential splashdown locations, NASA and SpaceX have decided to move forward with plans to bring NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley home to Earth with a splashdown off the Florida coast on Sunday, Aug. 2, aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon "Endeavour" spacecraft.

Teams will continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Isaias and evaluate impacts to weather around the Florida peninsula, including the potential splashdown sites in the Gulf of Mexico and along the state's Atlantic coast. NASA and SpaceX will make a decision on a primary splashdown target approximately 6 hours before undocking Saturday.

Undocking remains scheduled for approximately 7:34 p.m. EDT (2334 GMT) Saturday, Aug. 1, and splashdown at 2:42 p.m. EDT (1842 GMT) on Sunday.

posted 08-01-2020 12:58 PM               

Teams targeting Gulf of Mexico for splashdown

Following a scheduled assessment of weather conditions for splashdown, teams from NASA and SpaceX are proceeding with preparations to bring NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley home to Earth aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon "Endeavour" spacecraft.

Conditions are "go" at the primary targeted site, off the coast Pensacola, and alternate site off the coast of Panama City in the Gulf of Mexico for splashdown and recovery on Sunday, Aug. 2. Teams will continue to closely monitor Hurricane Isaias and evaluate impacts to the potential splashdown sites.

SpaceX will monitor changes to conditions until 2.5 hours prior to the scheduled undocking, when a determination to proceed with departure will be made. If conditions are marginal and exceed the accepted criteria, a joint recommendation by SpaceX and NASA will be made whether to proceed with undocking at 7:34 p.m. EDT (2334 GMT). NASA and SpaceX will make the final decision to proceed after the astronauts are ready inside Crew Dragon just before undocking.

posted 08-01-2020 05:56 PM               

Hatch closed, crew ready for undocking

The Crew Dragon's hatch was closed at 5:36 p.m. EDT (2136 GMT) on Saturday (Aug. 1). Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley donned their SpaceX spacesuits and strapped into their seats.

The final "go-no go" for undocking is expected at about 7:20 p.m. EDT. If the "go" is given, undocking is targeted for 7:34 p.m. EDT.

posted 08-01-2020 06:36 PM               

Endeavour undocks from space station

The Crew Dragon Endeavour undocked from the forward-facing port of the International Space Station's Harmony node at 7:35 p.m. EDT (2335 GMT) on Saturday (Aug. 1).

Two short firings of Endeavour's Draco thrusters gently pushed the spacecraft away from the orbiting laboratory. A series of four departure burns will further increase the distance between the two vehicles.

posted 08-02-2020 12:52 PM               

Dragon trunk jettisoned to prepare for re-entry

Crew Dragon Endeavour separated its claw at 1:51 p.m. EDT (1751 GMT) on Saturday (Aug. 2). The claw connected thermal control, power and avionics system components from the trunk to the capsule for on-orbit operations.

Seconds later, the trunk was jettisoned ahead of the spacecraft's re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

posted 08-02-2020 01:08 PM               

Dragon fires thrusters for de-orbit burn

Crew Dragon Endeavour completed its de-orbit burn at 2:08 p.m. EDT (1808 GMT), setting up a splashdown off the coast of the Florida panhandle.

The spacecraft's Draco thrusters began firing at 1:56 p.m. EDT for the 11 minute, 22 second burn, which slowed the Dragon's orbital velocity and aligned its descent into Earth's atmosphere.

posted 08-02-2020 01:14 PM               

Dragon nose cone closed for re-entry

Crew Dragon Endeavour retracted its nose cone in preparation for re-entering Earth's atmosphere.

The nose cone shields the Dragon's docking mechanism using to connect with the space station.

posted 08-02-2020 01:36 PM               

Dragon encounters first trace of atmosphere

Crew Dragon Endeavour reached "entry interface," the upper traces of Earth's atmosphere. A six-minute communications blackout (loss of signal) is expected due to the build up of plasma around the capsule.

posted 08-02-2020 01:44 PM               

Dragon deploys drogue parachutes

Crew Dragon Endeavour deployed its two drogue parachutes at about 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) while descending through Earth's atmosphere at approximately 350 miles per hour (160 meters per second).

posted 08-02-2020 01:45 PM               

Dragon deploys main parachutes

Crew Dragon Endeavour deployed its four main parachutes at about 6,000 feet (1,830 feet) while descending approximately 119 miles per hour (55 meters per second).

posted 08-02-2020 01:48 PM               

Astronauts on SpaceX capsule make first American splashdown in 45 years

Two NASA astronauts flying on SpaceX's first crewed capsule have safely splashed down from the International Space Station, marking the first water landing by an American crew in 45 years.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley returned to Earth on Sunday (Aug. 2), two months after becoming the first astronauts to launch on a commercial spacecraft to the space station. Descending under parachutes, the SpaceX Demo-2 (DM-2) Dragon capsule "Endeavour" was dropped into the water about 39 miles (63 kilometers) south of Pensacola, Florida, at 2:48 p.m. EDT (1841 GMT).