Today is history in the making, as SpaceX works with NASA to launch its Crew Dragon. This is the first human flight to space from the Kennedy Space Center in nine years, NASA shared. This is also the final step before NASA certifies the Crew Dragon for long-duration missions to the space station. The Crew Dragon will dock with the International Space Station after the launch, with a return date to be decided. The Crew Dragon had a successful and stunning launch.
Photos of the Launch
Below are photos from the launch and liftoff today. First: liftoff.
SpaceX
SpaceX
SpaceX
SpaceX
SpaceX
SpaceX
A photo of liftoff from the Johnson Space Center:
This candle is lit!
Liftoff, we have liftoff!!! 🚀
After nearly a decade, American astronauts launch from American soil. Such an extraordinary feat of human spirit and ingenuity. Godspeed Bob and Doug! The world is watching, and we are with you. #LaunchAmerica
Here are videos from liftoff and shortly after.
We have liftoff. History is made as @NASA_Astronauts launch from @NASAKennedy for the first time in nine years on the @SpaceX Crew Dragon:
Vehicle is supersonic. #LaunchAmerica
Stage separation was later confirmed:
SpaceX
SpaceX
The first stage later successfully landed on the drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You.
SpaceX
The astronauts flying today are Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley. Bob Behnken’s wife, Megan McArthur, is also an astronaut. They have a young son: 6-year-old Theodore.
Doug Hurley’s wife, Karen Nyberg, just retired in March as a NASA astronaut. They have a 10-year-old-son, Jack.
Here are photos 30 minutes before the launch.
NASA
NASA
Timeline of Events
GettyDolphins swim in a lagoon near Launch Complex 39A at sunrise at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020.
NASA has shared what we can expect to happen after liftoff and the anticipated timeline for May 27. Above is a photo 30 minutes before takeoff.
Saturday, May 30
- 11 a.m. – NASA TV launch coverage begins (continues through docking)
- 3:22 p.m. – Liftoff
- 4:09 p.m. – Crew Dragon phase burn
- 4:55 p.m. – Far-field manual flight test
- 5:55 p.m. – Astronaut downlink event from Crew Dragon
- 6:30 p.m. – Postlaunch news conference at Kennedy
- Administrator Bridenstine
- Kathy Lueders, manager, NASA Commercial Crew Program
- SpaceX representative
- Kirk Shireman, manager, International Space Station Program
- NASA Chief Astronaut Pat Forrester
GettySitting in a Tesla vehicle NASA astronaut Doug Hurley says goodbye to his wife Karen Nyberg and son Jack.
Sunday, May 31
- 6:45 a.m. – Astronaut downlink event from Crew Dragon
- 10:29 a.m. – Docking
- 12:45 p.m. – Hatch Open
- 1:05 p.m. – Welcome ceremony
- 3:15 p.m. – Post-arrival news conference at Johnson
- NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
- Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer
- NASA Chief Astronaut Pat Forrester
GettyCrew Dragon astronaut Doug Hurley acknowledges cheers en route to Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30.
Monday, June 1
- 11:15 a.m. – Space Station crew news conference, with NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy, Bob Behnken, and Doug Hurley
- 12:55 p.m. – SpaceX employee event and Class of 2020 Mosaic presentation, with NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy, Bob Behnken, and Doug Hurley
GettyNASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley walk out of the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon will lift off on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A in Florida for an extended stay at the space station for the Demo-2 mission. This is the final test flight for SpaceX and the first time NASA astronauts test the system in orbit.
After the Crew Dragon lifts off, it will accelerate the astronauts to 17,000 mph to intercept with the International Space Station, NASA shared. Once in orbit, the crew will verify that the Crew Dragon is performing correctly through maneuvering thrusters and performing other tests. After about 24 hours, the Crew Dragon will dock with the space station. After docking, the crew members will become members of the Expedition 63 crew and perform tests on the Crew Dragon along with research tasks on the space station. The Crew Dragon can stay in orbit for 110 days, but the exact duration of this mission is being determined. The operational Crew Dragon used later will be able to stay in orbit for at least 210 days, per NASA requirements.
The photo below shows the astronauts on the spacecraft shortly before launch.
SpaceX
And here is a photo of them waving before they got on the spacecraft.
GettyNASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley sit in a Tesla vehicle after walking out of the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight will be the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program.
This test flight is an important step in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, whose goal is to ultimately provide safe transportation to and from the International Space Station.
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