NASA/SpaceX DM-2 TODAY! (Take 2)

FIRST General Forum
#1

Liftoff of the first crewed :rocket: launch from the US in 9 years is scheduled for 7:22:00 PM from Historic Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

Live coverage from NASA and SpaceX:

Docking is scheduled for Sunday, May 31, 2020 2:27 PM and hatch opening is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2020 4:45 PM

Backup launch opportunity: Sunday, May 31, 2020 7:00 PM

Crew: Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken
Rocket and spacecraft: Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon
More info: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/05/spacex-dragon-in-historic-first/

9 Likes
NASA/SpaceX DM-2 SATURDAY!
#2

I’m driving through Nebraska and Wyoming today, hoping to get to Cheyenne in time for the launch later. How is the weather looking at Cape Canaveral this time around?

#3

50% POV (Probability Of Violation):

(Edited per @Billfred)

1 Like
#4
#5

For the newbies or the people who don’t click: POV is Probability Of Violating Weather Constraints. So, lower is better.

2 Likes
#6

Timed a bike ride to make sure my dad and I would both be able to watch–back in plenty of time.

I ain’t gonna miss this one if I have a chance to watch it.

#7

Curious thing - Dragon is designed for a crew up to seven, as was the shuttle IIRC*. Is this some really optimal point, or perhaps inspired by a Star Trek episode?

* There was at least one flight with eight, but the normal crew size was indeed five to seven according to NASA.

#8

Theoretically, it would allow a single Dragon to disembark the entire station crew in one go, or easily carry a couple tourists.

I’m not sure what the actual reason is.

1 Like
#9

Weather is now go!

2 Likes
#10

And I’ve got one of several Dragon shirts on now…

#11

Yup, me too. Fortunately, I invested in (and ultimately chaired) an SF convention with a dragon mascot a few decades ago…

#12

We’re showing the NASA/SpaceX Launch! Come chat with this watch party! After we will have the SECOND Robotics Competition All-Star Event! https://www.twitch.tv/firstupdatesnow

#13

See my profile pic. I actually just nailed my team with a picture INSIDE Dragon.

1 Like
#14

I guess I don’t know what I’m looking at. I just see lots of white and goldish stripes.

#15

And they’re off!

1 Like
#16

In orbit!

#17

Whew…

#18

Congrats to Bob and Doug and everybody involved!

#19

In orbit! Ok, who can tell me why they have about a half dozen delta vees for docking with ISS, when my schooling taught me that two delta vees was optimal for transfer from one orbit to another?

#20

If I had to guess…

They’re doing a thorough checkout, and they also need to exactly match orbits with ISS which will be a bit on the interesting side. Going to be a fun 19 hours for the crew. Future launches may have fewer delta-Vs.

Anybody catch what they named the capsule? They were going to release that somewhere around launch.