NASA SpaceX rocket launch HIGHLIGHTS: This is the first time that a private spacecraft company used its own rocket to put humans into space. (Source: Twitter/NASAKennedy)
NASA SpaceX rocket launch HIGHLIGHTS: A rocket ship designed and built by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company has lifted off with two NASA astronauts on a history-making flight to the International Space Station. The mission was supposed to be launched on May 27 but it was delayed due to adverse weather conditions at the last minute.
READ | SpaceX docks with Space Station
This is the first time after nine years since NASA shut down its space shuttle program back in 2011. This is also the first time that a private spacecraft company used its own rocket to put humans into space. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, both NASA and SpaceX had urged eager viewers to stay at home and do not flock towards the Kennedy Space Center.
In Pics: SpaceX-NASA next launch on May 30; photos of the delayed launch
The spacecraft took off Saturday afternoon (1.50 am Sunday in India) from the same launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, that was used during the Apollo missions to the moon a half-century ago. The flight ushers in a new era in commercial space travel and marks the first time NASA has launched astronauts from U.S. soil in nearly a decade.
READ | Why Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission is important, and how it will take place
(Inputs from AP)
Crew Dragon capsule has separated from Falcon 9 rocket's second stage and is on its way to the International Space Station.
"It is a go," US President Trump tells reporters of space launch as he and VP Mike Pence arrive on the roof of NASA Ops Building to view the launch of SpaceX Dragon.
Liquid oxygen has begun loading into the rocket.
President Donald Trump arrives at Kennedy Space Centre as SpaceX Demo-2 rocket prepares to launch in T-18 minutes.
Second stage fuel loading in SpaceX Demo-2 rocket begins.
Launch and landing sequence for SpaceX Demo-2 mission.
Weather is 'go' for launch. Liftoff of NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission carrying NASA Astronauts to International Space Station is targeted for 3:22 pm ET (1:52 am Indian time).
Despite more storms in the forecast, two NASA astronauts climbed into their capsule Saturday for a second attempt at a history-making ride into orbit aboard a rocket ship designed and built by Elon Musk's SpaceX company.
Radar shows showers and storms from Interstate 95 to the Space Coast. If this can clear by 245p, maybe SpaceX launch can go. Will be down to the wire.
Crew Dragon’s hatch is closed, securing the two astronauts in the spacecraft ahead of liftoff.
President Donald Trump en route to the Kennedy Space Centre.
Despite more storms in the forecast, two NASA astronauts suited up Saturday for a history-making launch into orbit aboard a rocket ship designed and built by Elon Musk's SpaceX company.
With the flight already delayed three days by bad weather, forecasters put the odds of acceptable conditions at 50-50 for the 3:22 p.m. liftoff of the Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket in what would be the first launch of astronauts into orbit by a private company.
Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken pulled on their sleek, black-and-white spacesuits with help from technicians wearing masks, gloves and black hoods. (AP)
Both --Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken -- NASA astronauts, had boarded the flight on May 27. Due to the delay, they had to deboard the flight and now have to wait for a few more days before they can leave the Earth's atmosphere. If the liftoff gets scrubbed again on May 31 then the mission does have backup dates of June 1 and June 2. (Image: NASA, SpaceX)
To recall, the last time astronauts were launched from the US soil was on July 8, 2011 for the STS-135 mission. Soon after which all astronauts were flown to the International Space Station in Russia’s Soyuz Capsule. The rides were expensive and cost $86 million per astronaut, a report from vox.com suggested. In comparison, SpaceX will charge only $55 million per astronaut for one complete round trip. Read here for more details. (Image: NASA, SpaceX)
Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken -- who are the two astronauts taking the Space X flight -- were military test pilots in the Marines and Air Force, respectively. Both were selected for NASA’s commercial crew program back in 2015. They have been colleagues since the time they joined NASA in 2000 as part of Astronaut Group 18. (Image: NASA, Space)
The Demo-2 test flight marks the first time in nine years that a manned spacecraft will launch from the United States. It is also the first time a private spacecraft company is going to use its own rocket to put humans into orbit. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NASA is urging all of its spectators to stay home and watch the event remotely via livestream that both NASA and SpaceX will be running across various platforms. (Image: NASA, SpaceX)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 launch, initially scheduled for May 27, was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The next launch attempt is Saturday, May 30. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Since 2010, NASA's Commercial Crew Program has worked with several American aerospace industry companies to facilitate its human spaceflight systems. The space agency aims to have safe, reliable and cost-effective access to and from the International Space Station (ISS) as well as foster commercial access to other potential low-Earth orbit destinations.NASA selected Boeing and SpaceX in September 2014 to transport crew to the ISS from the American soil. 'These integrated spacecraft, rockets and associated systems will carry up to four astronauts on NASA missions, maintaining a space station crew of seven to maximize time dedicated to scientific research on the orbiting laboratory,' NASA said.
You can watch the livestream of the event right here:
NASA will stream the launch of the SpaceX Demo-2 mission via NASA TV channel and its official YouTube channel. The coverage will start at 8:30 PM IST on May 30 and will go on till 12:52 AM IST on May 31, 2020. NASA TV will continue the stream following the rocket launch until 2 AM IST on June 2.
SpaceX and NASA have rescheduled the launch for May 31 at 1:52 AM IST. If they hit yet another snag, they have another backup date of June 1 at 12:30 AM IST. No backup dates after that have been revealed as of now.
NASA is paying $55 million per seat to Elon Musk's space-exploration company, according to the OIG's calculations. Yes, that's the cost of a set on SpaceX's Crew Dragon. Elon Musk's SpaceX is the conductor and NASA its customer. And for the first time, a private company operates a mission to space.