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SpaceX & NASA Launch U.S. Astronauts To Space | TIME

TIME・132 minutes read

NASA has been unable to launch astronauts since 2011, but SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft will change this, marking America's return to spaceflight and the start of commercial crew flights. The launch will transport astronauts Bob Benkin and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station, showcasing advancements in space travel and private companies' involvement in NASA missions.

Insights

  • NASA has relied on Russia for astronaut transport since 2011, but SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft will launch astronauts Bob Benkin and Doug Hurley on May 27, marking the beginning of commercial crew flights.
  • The Crew Dragon launch signifies America's return to spaceflight after nine years, with the spacecraft being the first privately designed and built for human crew, showcasing a significant shift in space exploration.
  • The launch from Cape Canaveral's Pad 39A, the same pad as Apollo 11's moon landing, highlights the historic importance of this event and the advancements achieved in space travel.
  • The crew's journey from the operations building to the launch pad involves various traditions and safety protocols, emphasizing the meticulous preparations and emotional significance of the moment.
  • SpaceX's innovative approach to rocket engineering, with reusable components like the Falcon 9's first stage, aims for cost efficiency and rapid production turnaround, revolutionizing space access and exploration.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of the SpaceX Crew Dragon launch?

    The SpaceX Crew Dragon launch is significant as it marks America's return to spacefaring from its own soil since 2011. This launch signifies the start of commercial crew flights, with private companies like SpaceX and Boeing taking the lead in transporting astronauts to the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon spacecraft is the first privately designed and built spacecraft for human crew, showcasing advancements in space travel and technology. This mission represents a crucial step towards NASA's goal of deep space exploration, with plans to return astronauts to the moon and eventually reach Mars. The successful launch of the Crew Dragon highlights the collaboration between government space agencies and private companies in advancing human spaceflight capabilities.

  • What is the role of weather conditions in the Crew Dragon launch?

    Weather conditions play a crucial role in the Crew Dragon launch decision-making process. Strict rules are in place to ensure crew safety, with factors like wind speed, cloud cover, and lightning potential being closely monitored. The launch window is specific due to the need to rendezvous with the International Space Station, requiring precise timing and favorable weather conditions. Any adverse weather conditions could lead to a delay or scrub of the launch, highlighting the importance of meteorological assessments in spaceflight operations. The safety of the astronauts onboard the Crew Dragon is a top priority, and weather conditions are carefully evaluated to minimize risks during the launch.

  • What is the significance of the Crew Dragon launch pad, Path 39A?

    The Crew Dragon launch pad, Path 39A, holds historical significance in the space program, being the same pad used for Apollo 11's historic moon landing. This launch pad has been renovated with a sleek black and white design, giving it a futuristic look for the SpaceX Crew Dragon launch to the International Space Station. Path 39A has been the launch pad for numerous significant missions, including Apollo lunar missions and all 135 shuttle missions, showcasing its pivotal role in space exploration. The crew's arrival at Launch Pad 39A marks a critical moment as they prepare to board the spacecraft, evoking a sense of history and progress in human spaceflight endeavors.

  • What are the key features of the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft?

    The Falcon 9 rocket stands 229 feet tall and has nine Merlin engines producing a total thrust of 1,125,000 pounds. It uses RP1 rocket fuel and liquid oxygen for propulsion, with the first stage being reusable and capable of landing on a barge in the ocean for refurbishment. The Crew Dragon spacecraft, larger than the Apollo era spacecraft, can seat up to seven crew members and is maneuvered by 16 Draco thrusters. It features touch screen panels and automatic systems, with the crew having the ability for manual control if needed during flight. Both the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are reusable, aiming to reduce costs and ensure efficient assembly for future space missions.

  • What is the significance of the Crew Dragon launch for the future of space exploration?

    The Crew Dragon launch signifies a significant step in America's space exploration future, following the legacy of the Space Shuttle program. This mission marks the beginning of commercial crew flights, with private companies like SpaceX and Boeing taking on the responsibility of transporting astronauts to the International Space Station. The success of the Crew Dragon launch showcases advancements in space travel technology and highlights the collaboration between government space agencies and private companies. This mission paves the way for future deep space exploration endeavors, with plans to return astronauts to the moon and eventually reach Mars. The Crew Dragon launch represents a new era in human spaceflight, emphasizing innovation, safety, and efficiency in space missions.

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Summary

00:00

"SpaceX Launches Astronauts on Historic Mission"

  • NASA has been unable to launch its own astronauts since 2011, relying on Russia's Soyuz rocket for transport.
  • SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft will launch astronauts Bob Benkin and Doug Hurley on May 27th.
  • This launch signifies the start of commercial crew flights, with private companies like Boeing also joining the endeavor.
  • The launch will occur from Cape Canaveral's Pad 39A, the same pad used for Apollo 11's historic moon landing.
  • America's return to spaceflight after nine years is significant, with the Crew Dragon being the first privately designed and built spacecraft for human crew.
  • The launch has a specific time window due to the need to rendezvous with the International Space Station.
  • Weather conditions play a crucial role in launch decisions, with strict rules in place to ensure crew safety.
  • The astronauts will wear new generation spacesuits designed by SpaceX, providing life support and protection.
  • Mission control centers in Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX headquarters, and Houston will oversee the launch.
  • Astronauts Bob Benkin and Doug Hurley will travel to the launch pad in a Tesla, signifying the technological advancements in space travel.

24:42

Crew's Journey to Launch Pad Excitement

  • The crew travels a nine-mile route via NASA roadways to reach the launch pad, experiencing a long motorcade during the Apollo program days.
  • The Saturn V rocket, if exploded on the launch pad, would have caused the greatest non-nuclear explosion engineered by humans, leading to a three-mile no-go zone around the rocket.
  • The crew, accompanied by key personnel, approaches the pad in a motorcade and boards elevators to reach the spacecraft level at the top of the Falcon 9 rocket.
  • The crew listens to tunes during the journey, including songs like AC/DC's "Back in Black" and the Star-Spangled Banner, creating a momentous atmosphere.
  • The crew's journey from the operations building to the launch pad takes around 20 minutes, with the convoy sometimes accompanied by a helicopter flying overhead.
  • The crew's arrival at Launch Pad 39A, historically significant for Apollo 11 and lunar flights, marks a critical moment as they prepare to board the spacecraft.
  • The launch pad features structures like a water tower for cooling, a gantry with elevators, and a swing arm for crew access to the rocket.
  • Before entering the blast danger area around the pad, SpaceX and NASA teams conduct a go-no-go poll to ensure safety and clearance.
  • The Falcon 9 rocket, with the Dragon spacecraft integrated at the pad, showcases the scale and preparation involved in human spaceflight.
  • The crew's final steps towards the Dragon spacecraft at the pad evoke emotions of solemnity and excitement, marking a significant moment in their journey to space.

42:14

SpaceX Crew Dragon: Futuristic Launch to ISS

  • The launch pad, Path 39A, has been renovated with a sleek black and white design, giving it a futuristic look for the SpaceX Crew Dragon launch to the International Space Station.
  • The crew arrives at the pad, using a fast elevator to reach 255 feet in seconds, and they head to the crew access arm, guided by illuminated arrows leading to escape baskets in case of emergencies.
  • A phone at the pad allows astronauts to make final calls before boarding the Crew Dragon, a tradition carried over from the shuttle days.
  • At T minus 2 hours and 35 minutes, astronauts will ingress into the Crew Dragon with the help of suit techs, getting strapped into their seats for launch.
  • The Crew Dragon spacecraft has a history of 22 launches, capable of seating up to seven people, maneuvered by 16 Draco thrusters, and descending with parachutes.
  • The Falcon 9 rocket, standing 229 feet tall, will launch the Crew Dragon with nine Merlin engines producing a total thrust of 1,125,000 pounds, using RP1 rocket fuel and liquid oxygen.
  • The Falcon 9's first stage is reusable, landing on a barge in the ocean for refurbishment, contributing to cost efficiency and quick production turnaround.
  • The commercial crew program, developed over 10 years, aims to allow private companies like SpaceX and Boeing to transport crew to the ISS, enabling NASA to focus on deep space exploration.
  • Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the astronauts on this mission, have undergone extensive testing, including a successful pad abort test and launch abort test, ensuring safety during emergencies.
  • Despite setbacks like spacecraft explosions and failed landings, the Crew Dragon launch represents a culmination of successes and failures in rocket engineering, showcasing the advancements in space travel.

01:09:53

NASA SpaceX Demo2: Mission to Space Station

  • Bob Bankin is the Joint Operations Mission Commander for NASA SpaceX Demo2 mission, alongside Doug Hurley, set to take the mission to the International Space Station.
  • During the mission, they will conduct various checkouts, including responding to onboard fires and manually flying close to the International Space Station.
  • The focus is on ensuring all systems work during the test flight for future missions' benefit, even if those features may not be immediately utilized.
  • In the Air Force flight test environment, managing risk while collecting data in a calm, experienced manner is crucial before complex missions.
  • Bob Bankin's NASA career spans two decades, involving training on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station systems.
  • A significant accomplishment was developing a tool to plan a safe return to Earth in case of emergencies without overcomplicating the process.
  • Launch day routines involve exercise, breakfast, last-minute calls, lunch, weather briefings, and technical checks before suiting up and heading to the launch pad.
  • Doug Hurley, the spacecraft commander for Demo2, shares experiences from previous missions, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation and teamwork.
  • The final flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis marked the end of the 135-mission program, showcasing meticulous preparations and the shuttle's crucial role in space exploration.
  • The launch of two astronauts on a SpaceX rocket signifies a significant step in America's space exploration future, following the legacy of the Space Shuttle program.

01:30:36

SpaceX's Journey to Mars Exploration

  • The support team is separated from the crew, with a rain squall visible but gray skies making it hard to see rainfall.
  • The crew is preparing to leave the white room, with touch pads used to check off final milestones.
  • Elon Musk discusses his inspiration from Apollo 11 and the need to advance space exploration, leading to the founding of SpaceX in 2002.
  • SpaceX broke government exclusivity in space access, achieving success in launching and recovering spacecraft, securing NASA contracts.
  • Musk's boldness and SpaceX's unique approach have garnered a strong following, focusing on reusability for cost-effective launches.
  • SpaceX faced setbacks like a crew dragon spacecraft explosion but learned from failures to enhance safety measures.
  • SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is reliable, with a load and go approach for fueling before launch, improving performance.
  • NASA's future involves returning astronauts to the moon and eventually Mars, with the Artemis program aiming for a lunar landing by 2024.
  • NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew vehicle are nearing completion for deep space missions, with plans for a sustainable presence on the moon.
  • Despite weather delays, the launch signifies a step towards Mars exploration, with traditions like pre-flight breakfasts and crew rituals continuing.

01:49:47

"Launch Pad 39A: Gateway to Space Exploration"

  • The tradition of astronauts leaving for space from launch pad 39A, a historic spot in the space program, continues with a new spacecraft and white room.
  • Pad 39A has been the launch pad for numerous significant missions, including Apollo lunar missions and all 135 shuttle missions.
  • The Apollo program, with 11 launches from Apollo 7 to Apollo 17, took human beings to the moon, with nine missions reaching the lunar surface.
  • The rockets launched from pad 39A during the Apollo program were the largest ever built, with immense power equivalent to running all American rivers through a single turbine.
  • President Kennedy's promise led to the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969, fulfilling the quest of a space-faring people.
  • The Mercury program, with one-man spacecraft, led to the Gemini program, allowing astronauts to test technologies for moon missions.
  • The Space Shuttle program, starting in 1981, made space flight routine, launching significant spacecraft like the Galileo probe and Hubble Space Telescope.
  • Since the grounding of the Space Shuttle, American astronauts have flown on Russian Soyuz spacecraft, a reliable and tough vehicle.
  • The Constellation program aimed to return humans to the moon, but it was replaced by the Commercial Crew program focusing on deep space exploration.
  • Companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Dynetics are developing lunar landers for the Artemis program, with SpaceX's Starship rocket aiming for the moon and Mars.

02:16:57

Challenges and Opportunities in Aerospace Industry

  • Software development in aerospace programs can be challenging and time-consuming.
  • Being the first to market, like MySpace, doesn't guarantee long-term success.
  • Boeing is a significant player in the aerospace market, with the ISS program being relatively small.
  • Private space stations and manufacturing in space could expand the market for companies like SpaceX and Boeing.
  • The ISS is primarily for academic and scientific research, not manufacturing.
  • Tourism in space, like suborbital flights by Virgin and Blue Origin, is an emerging market.
  • Elon Musk's behavior and interactions with NASA have raised concerns.
  • The new SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is highly automated, with minimal manual flying required.
  • The goal of the Crew Dragon is efficient transportation to and from the space station, not manual flying.
  • The timeline for returning to the moon in 2024 may be unrealistic due to past delays and political challenges.

02:31:58

"How to Astronaut" explores spacewalks and quarantine

  • Astronauts experience a unique sensation in space due to inner ear fluids and brain adaptation.
  • Spacewalking involves stepping into the void, defying rational brain cells that know you can't fall.
  • During a spacewalk, the astronaut felt vertigo but overcame it by focusing on the task at hand.
  • The astronaut dislikes ledges but confronts his fear by standing on them to challenge his brain.
  • A new book titled "How to Astronaut" is set for release, containing 51 essays on space experiences.
  • The book covers basic astronaut training, space shuttle launches, and unexpected scenarios like engine failures.
  • Pre-launch activities include arming the escape system and fueling the rocket with liquid oxygen and kerosene.
  • Astronauts undergo quarantine to prevent carrying pathogens to space, a practice dating back to the Apollo missions.
  • Quarantine protocols have evolved over time, with longer isolation periods for missions like Skylab and shorter ones for shuttle flights.
  • The crew, including Bob Benkin and Doug Hurley, undergo a 12-day quarantine before their historic launch to the International Space Station.

02:53:40

"SpaceX Launch: Bob and Doug's Mission"

  • Bob Benkin and Doug Hurley are preparing for takeoff in the spacecraft, with support from controllers on the ground and millions watching worldwide.
  • The President and First Lady arrived at the shuttle landing facility to view the launch, with clear skies and cooperative weather.
  • The Falcon 9 rocket, fueled by RP1 rocket fuel and liquid oxygen, stands 229 feet tall and has nine engines producing 1.125 million pounds of thrust.
  • The Falcon 9 rocket is unique in that its first stage can be landed on a barge and reused, with 44 successful landings and 31 refurbished stages.
  • The Dragon spacecraft, larger than the Apollo era spacecraft, can carry up to seven crew members and has 16 thrusters for maneuvering.
  • The Dragon spacecraft has touch screen panels and automatic systems, with the crew capable of manual control if needed during flight.
  • The Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket are both reusable, aiming to reduce costs and ensure efficient assembly.
  • The load and go process involves fueling the rocket shortly before launch to maintain fuel efficiency, similar to horses in a race gate.
  • The launch time is precise due to the delicate orbital dance between the Dragon spacecraft and the International Space Station.
  • SpaceX conducted tests, including a pad abort test and launch abort test, to ensure crew safety in case of rocket failure, with the launch approaching in 13 minutes.

03:24:15

"Successful rocket launch marks America's return"

  • The launch is a reminder to take the virus seriously despite the success achieved.
  • The rocket is fueled with super cold liquid oxygen, causing ice to form on its side.
  • The astronauts are in the terminal countdown, waiting for the precise moment to launch.
  • The rocket will chase the International Space Station for a 19-hour journey.
  • The first stage booster successfully lands on a barge named "Of Course I Still Love You."
  • The Dragon spacecraft is in orbit, achieving a nominal orbital insertion.
  • The crew will manually pilot the Dragon using touchscreen displays during the journey.
  • This launch marks America's return to spacefaring from its own soil since 2011.
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