Liftoff! SpaceX rocket carrying 2 astronauts launches off Cape Canaveral
The U.S. has launched two people into space for the time in nearly a decade — a historic moment marking America’s return to lower orbit on an untested vessel built by a private aerospace company.
Foiled by inhospitable weather earlier in the week, Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket into clearer skies Saturday from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken were strapped into their seats inside the company’s Dragon Spacecraft, a capsule nestled at the tip of the rocket.
Nine years after the U.S. government ended the space shuttle program, Saturday’s launch marked a milestone in a new era of human space travel, the result of a public-private partnership between a billionaire’s private aerospace firm and the U.S. government.
Hurley and Behnken, propelled through the atmosphere by one million pounds of fuel, officially entered space before 4 p.m. Saturday. The rocket has separated from the spacecraft, which is on its way the International Space Station 250 miles above Earth. They are expected to rendezvous with the space station around 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
A demonstration mission, every moment of the astronauts’ journey is a test — including the ability to dock with the space station, described as “kind of like a ballet in space,” by a former astronaut on a live broadcast of the launch on ABC News.
The weather could have again delayed the launch, but in the hour before the scheduled launch conditions cleared for a launch. Saturday’s launch was scheduled for 3:22 p.m. President Donald Trump was there to witness the event.
Weather had triggered delays earlier in the week. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told the Associated Press:
“The problem, of course, in Florida in May is there will be thunderstorms. So that’s true today as it probably will be every day in May and probably early June here.”
In the minutes before liftoff, weather forecasters said clouds and wind conditions are as good as they have been all week.
4:30 p.m. 19-hour trip in style
Hurley and Behnken will sit in the Dragon Spacecraft until Sunday morning before docking at the space station. They are wearing custom-made spacesuits that were first prototyped by a Hollywood costume designer. The New York Times reported that the look came first, then the space-travel specifications were reverse engineered to meet requirements.
The pair of astronauts, veterans of the space shuttle program, are good friends who attended each other’s weddings. Read about their friendship and their journey to this historic mission in this Orlando Sentinel profile.
3:45 p.m. “Sigh of relief”
About 20 minutes after launch, Bridenstine commended staff for SpaceX and NASA while thanking the federal government for supporting the public-private partnership that preceded the launch.
“I’m breathing a sigh of relief,” he said. “But I will also tell you I’m not going to celebrate until Bob and Doug are home safely.”
3:22 p.m. Liftoff!
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon capsule carrying Hurley and Behnken launched on time Saturday afternoon.
3 p.m. Fueling begins
About 30 minutes before liftoff, officials are loading SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket with 1 million pounds of fuel. After showers earlier Saturday afternoon, the weather has cleared significantly.
2:30 p.m. Weather improving
With Hurley and Behnken strapped into the Crew Dragon capsule, the weather has improved. About one hour before takeoff, conditions are acceptable for a launch, but officials will monitor right up until the launch.
2 p.m.: Astronauts have entered the capsule
Hurley and Behnken have entered SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule that is scheduled to be launched into orbit. The astronauts intended final destination is the International Space Station.
Weather is still a major variable. Around 1:45 p.m., officials could be heard saying that current weather conditions were not suitable for launch, but that the skies could still clear before the scheduled takeoff.
1:10 p.m.: Will weather hold up?
Rain is falling at the launchpad two hours before takeoff. NASA’s first manned spaceflight in almost 10 years could again be delayed by bad weather.
The threat of lightning forced SpaceX to scrub an attempt on Wednesday 17 minutes before the launch.
Bridenstine emphasized the importance of safety for the astronauts.
“We cannot forget this is a test flight. This — is — a — test — flight,” he told reporters this week. “We will go when everything is as safe as we can possibly make it.”
1 p.m.: A day in the life of an astronaut
Here’s a look at the some of today’s schedule for the two astronauts, courtesy of Chabeli Carrazana of the Orlando Sentinel.
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 1:51 PM.
