SpaceX’s First-Ever Crewed Spacecraft To Officially Launch This Month
Video screenshot via SpaceX
SpaceX is expected to officially launch with NASA astronauts for the first time on 27 May 2020. The private aerospace company has received the stamp of approval for its mission after passing a Key Flight Readiness Review (FRR) last week.
The NASA astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, will be on board the Crew Dragon spacecraft mounted on top of the Falcon 9 rocket when it heads to the International Space Station (ISS).
This will also be the first time NASA astronauts will be launched into space since the end of the 2011 Space Shuttle program. Hurley and Behnken will be the first to be launched into space on a private US-built spacecraft, as well. They will work as crew members at the ISS for up to three months before returning back to Earth.
The launch window is set on 27 May 2020 at 4:33 PM EDT (1:33 PM PDT). The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft will blast off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The momentous event will be closed off to public due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has encouraged people to stay at home and catch the launch online, per Space.com.
In the meantime, watch the Crew Dragon in-flight escape demonstration below.
[via TechCrunch, cover image via SpaceX]
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