Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-22-2020 01:28 PM
Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken have chosen a name for their Crew Dragon... but they are not ready to reveal it yet.
We have to save some suspense for the mission itself, but we do have a name and we will break it out appropriately. We've got something for you to look forward to on launch day.
SpaceDust Member
Posts: 126 From: Louisville, KY Registered: Mar 2006
posted 05-22-2020 04:34 PM
The press kit that I complained about in an earlier post has been updated with a more detailed timeline (the old one still exists within) and a few other things added. Now to get/find pre-launch orbital elements.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 1343 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 05-22-2020 06:20 PM
Does anyone know if the astronauts will have some sort of inflatable water wings etc. strapped on to their spacesuits during launch and landing?
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 454 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 05-23-2020 05:27 AM
Does anyone knows what's the weather for Wednesday's launch?
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1746 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 05-23-2020 08:19 AM
40% chance of rain and thunderstorms. In other words typical Florida spring weather.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-23-2020 08:31 AM
The L-4 forecast prepared by the 45th Space Wing Weather Squadron predicts a 60 percent chance of weather violating launch constraints, with the primary concerns being flight through precipitation, thick cloud layer rule and cumulus cloud rule.
There is no forecast yet for the next launch opportunity (May 30) as it falls outside of the four day period.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1746 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 05-23-2020 09:31 AM
It won't be back to the launch business as usual until there's a launch scrub or 2 with the crew on board the spacecraft.
OV-105 Member
Posts: 910 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 05-23-2020 01:16 PM
Well they won’t have to worry about RTLS and TAL’s site weather rules.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-23-2020 01:31 PM
Actually, both remain concerns (of sorts) and the weather constraints are as, if not more restrictive than was the case for the space shuttle.
The launch team will be monitoring weather at 50 points spanning the Atlantic Ocean, from immediately off the coast from the launchpad to off-shore Ireland, where the Dragon could be dropped into the water in the case of an abort. Among the criteria:
Do not launch if downrange weather indicates violation of limits at splashdown in case of Dragon launch escape.
Do not launch if downrange weather shows high probability of violating limits at splashdown in case of Dragon launch escape. Downrange weather is monitored at more than 50 locations along the ascent track along the North American eastern seaboard and across the North Atlantic. Probability of violation is calculated for each location including limit conditions for wind, waves, lightning, and precipitation.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1264 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 05-23-2020 04:49 PM
Off topic, but do the Russians have such downrange weather constraints for their manned Soyuz flights?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-23-2020 08:45 PM
The downrange weather constraints for Crew Dragon are driven by the conditions needed to facilitate a prompt water recovery. The Soyuz abort landing sites are on land, so there are fewer constraints.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-24-2020 10:27 AM
From Maxar Technologies (via Twitter):
Our WV3 satellite collected imagery this morning, May 23rd, of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A as NASA prepares for its first crewed flight in nearly a decade.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-24-2020 01:04 PM
A different type of overhead view from astronaut Karen Nyberg, Doug Hurley's wife, via Twitter:
Arriving in Florida with a flyby of your dad's spaceship on the launch pad... Priceless.
posted 05-24-2020 01:35 PM
It is being reported that the president and vice president will be in attendance for SpaceX's Crew Dragon maiden astronaut launch attempt. Hoping the weather cooperates and all systems are GO for a successful flight Wednesday afternoon!
Aeropix Member
Posts: 62 From: Dubai Registered: Apr 2010
posted 05-25-2020 03:10 AM
Hoping that the President's visit doesn't put undue political pressure on the launch decision. Might be a good time to dust off the Challenger reports in the next day or two before the inevitable administrative pressure creeps in...
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: A different type of overhead view from astronaut Karen Nyberg...
Wowzers the NASA budget got that many cuts that the astronaut's families fly around in jets with cracked passenger windows? Yes I know that clear tape is probably just over the "inner decorative non-pressurized pane" but still, that's not a good look for NASA.
David C Member
Posts: 1420 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 05-25-2020 05:20 AM
Arriving in Florida with a flyby of your dad's spaceship on the launch pad... Priceless.
Love that shot. There's a classic '50s sci-fi story turned real feel about it.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3012 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 05-25-2020 05:21 AM
quote:Originally posted by Aeropix: I know that clear tape is probably just over the "inner decorative non-pressurized pane"...
It certainly is the inner decorative clear cover for the window and not on the window panel itself. (It does provide some acoustical attenuation as well.)
Most aircraft operations have not carried out non-essential cosmetic maintenance during the last 3-4 months due to COVID-19. Parts procurement, shipping and technical installers are at a minimum so in my mind this is a good operational decision. However, I fully understand the perception for those who are not in the aviation industry.
quote:Originally posted by Aeropix: Might be a good time to dust off the Challenger reports...
No need to open that can of worms. Teachers getting frustrated waiting at the Cape with day after day after day launch scrubs and postponements going from Friday through that fateful Tuesday, Jan. 28th, 1986.
Regarding political visits to KSC, then president Bill Clinton and his wife attended the STS-95 launch of Senator John Glenn back in 1998.
dwager Member
Posts: 130 From: Augusta, GA Registered: Sep 2014
posted 05-25-2020 11:57 AM
Wondering if someone can help me — does anyone know the launch/flight path of Wednesday's launch?
I live in Augusta, GA and when a launch has a particularly NNE angle, we have been able to see it (although I'm not sure what we can expect Wednesday). Any ideas or website info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-25-2020 12:46 PM
I don't have a website or map to point you to, but the Falcon will follow the same basic path as past cargo launches. It is a daytime launch, so it may not be as easy to spot, but if the weather cooperates, it is worth taking a look.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-25-2020 12:49 PM
The dawn (literally) of a new era of U.S. human spaceflight (Photos credit SpaceX).
dwager Member
Posts: 130 From: Augusta, GA Registered: Sep 2014
posted 05-25-2020 01:05 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: ...it is worth taking a look.
Thanks for the info!
denali414 Member
Posts: 847 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 05-26-2020 06:44 AM
Not the launch, but Heavens Above will be tracking the Dragon demo.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-26-2020 07:08 AM
The 45th Space Wing Weather Squadron forecast has slightly improved on L-1, now with only a 40 percent probability of violating constraints.
The primary concerns are flight through precipitation, the anvil cloud rule and cumulus cloud rule.
The forecast for the next launch opportunity on May 30 improves to a 30 percent probability of violating weather constraints with the same primary concerns.
Skylon Member
Posts: 319 From: Registered: Sep 2010
posted 05-26-2020 08:19 AM
quote:Originally posted by Cozmosis22: Regarding political visits to KSC...
President Obama and his family attended STS-134's first launch attempt, which ended up scrubbed. The STS-134 crew instead met with the President afterwards and the Obamas got a tour of one of the OPFs, where Atlantis was undergoing prep for STS-135. That I think speaks well to the safety culture at NASA.
I'd also take what the Obamas got as a consolation prize for missing out on a launch.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-26-2020 03:53 PM
NASA has announced a special guest as part of its NASA TV broadcast:
Prelaunch coverage also includes a special performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Grammy Award-winning singer Kelly Clarkson.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-26-2020 08:44 PM
From astronaut Karen Nyberg (via Twitter):
Thank you SpaceX for the unique privilege of seeing Crew Dragon on the pad with Doug Hurley. For us, a silver lining to this pandemic is the special time we've had together as a family prior to launch, only because of our extended quarantine. Photo: Sam Friedman\SpaceX
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-27-2020 07:44 AM
NASA video
Tune in starting at 12:15 p.m. EDT as NASA and SpaceX provide joint, live coverage from launch to arrival at the space station.
Teams are targeting 4:33 p.m. EDT for the launch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Crew Dragon is scheduled to dock to the space station at 11:29 a.m. Thursday, May 28.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-27-2020 10:12 AM
The question on everyone's minds: What are the astronauts having for breakfast? From Doug Hurley (via Twitter):
Steak and eggs. Question answered!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-27-2020 11:19 AM
SpaceX's Demo-2 Crew Dragon poised for launch on LC-39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida:
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3653 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 05-27-2020 11:43 AM
What is the launch window for this flight?
The SpaceX website refers to an "instantaneous launch time" of 4.33 p.m. EDT, which suggests to me it is "go immediately or don't go today." However, the SpaceX countdown clock states (from memory): "This is the countdown to the start of the launch window, but is not necessarily the time of launch."
Is there, for instance, the option of a "weather hold?"
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-27-2020 12:01 PM
It is an instantaneous window, as required to put the Crew Dragon on track to reach the space station in 19 hours after launch. The launch time is 4:33:35 p.m. EDT.
If it does not launch at that time, the attempt will be scrubbed for the day.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-27-2020 12:03 PM
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk talk with Demo-2 crewmates Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations & Checkout (O&C) Building:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-27-2020 12:23 PM
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley depart the O&C, bid farewell to their families and leave for the launchpad on SpaceX's Tesla Model X:
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3012 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 05-27-2020 12:58 PM
Looking at the ingress I see a watch on Bob, what are they using?
MOL Member
Posts: 186 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Oct 2004
posted 05-27-2020 01:05 PM
It appears to be an Omega Speedmaster X-33.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-27-2020 01:10 PM
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley arrived at Launch Complex 39A, ascended the fixed service structure, paused to call their families one last time, began a new tradition signing the wall of the white room and then boarded the Crew Dragon.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-27-2020 01:14 PM
Some nomenclature:
Doug Hurley is spacecraft commander, or CDR.
Bob Behnken is joint operations commander, but for radio calls, PLT.
Capcom (Capsule Communicator) is now CORE, or Crew Operations Responsible Engineer.
COREs communicating with the crew throughout the mission include: Jay Aranha, SpaceX CORE for ingress and ascent; Anna Menon, SpaceX CORE for Crew Dragon's approach to and departure from the International Space Station; Laura Crabtree, the CORE for free flight; and Mike Heiman, the SpaceX CORE for the crew’s return to Earth. The CORE engineers are located at SpaceX Mission Control in Hawthorne, California.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51573 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-27-2020 01:24 PM
Zero-g indicator spotted, what appears to be a dragon...
posted 05-22-2020 01:28 PM
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