[James]

Nasa SpaceX launch: Astronauts complete rehearsal for historic mission
By Jonathan Amos

BBC Science Correspondent
24 May 2020

Nasa astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken have completed their dress rehearsal for Wednesday's flight to the International Space Station.

The mission, the first crewed outing from American soil in nine years, will see the pair ride to orbit in a SpaceX Falcon rocket and Crew Dragon capsule.

It's a demonstration of the new "taxi" service the US space agency will be buying from the Californian firm.

Lift-off on Wednesday is timed for 16:33 EDT (20:33 GMT / 21:33 BST).



The weather around the Kennedy Space Center in Florida may have other ideas, however.

A forecast released on Saturday by the US Space Force 45th Space Wing Weather Squadron predicted just a 40% chance of favourable conditions come launch time.

There is a strong possibility the Kennedy complex could see thick cloud, rain and even thunder.

If controllers are forced to scrub, everyone will come back on Saturday for a second try.....

From https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52788432

[arista]

So Much can go wrong.
Not talking about Bad Weather.

[arista]

[Virgin Orbit: Richard Branson's rocket fails on maiden flight
The launch was going well until after the rocket
was dropped from the plane and the mission had to be aborted.]

https://www.thisisbigbrother.com/for...0#post10847070


One Down James

another to try tonight

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by arista

[Virgin Orbit: Richard Branson's rocket fails on maiden flight
The launch was going well until after the rocket
was dropped from the plane and the mission had to be aborted.]

https://www.thisisbigbrother.com/for...0#post10847070


One Down James

another to try tonight

Pff, that's Virgin though. Branson can't even get WiFi to work on his trains, I think launching people into space is a bit ambitious.

[Saph]

will we be able to see it in the sky?

[Saph]

I used to be obsessed with watching that Challenger rocket that exploded in mid-air in the 80s and that school teachers parents were watching her

[The Slim Reaper]

Those suits do look as though they're Ł15 to hire per night from the local fancy dress shop.

[James]

Originally Posted by Saph

will we be able to see it in the sky?

You can watch it live on YouTube.

At https://www.youtube.com/user/spacexchannel or

Youtube video

Originally Posted by The Slim Reaper

Those suits do look as though they're Ł15 to hire per night from the local fancy dress shop.

They were designed by a Hollywood Costume designer, and they were initially revealed as this.



It's a bit like when you buy clothes out a catalogue or online and looks a lot different on you.

[arista]

President Trump
is expected to be there.

It's his Master Plan
to allow NASA to help


As well as YouTube
it will be Live on SkyNewsHD ,
BBCnewsHD and CNN HD.
9:30PM tonight

[James]

So what's the plan?


Falcon 9 rocket on Pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center


Some time after 13:00 EDT (17:00 GMT / 18:00 BST) we expect to see the astronauts walk out and get into cars for transportation to the launch pad.

The timing for today's launch has to be precise. The Falcon 9 rocket must leave the ground at 16:33 EDT (20:33 GMT / 21:33 BST), or the astronauts won't be able to catch the International Space Station (ISS) which passes overhead at 27,000km/h (17,000mph).

The rocket carrying Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley takes more than eight minutes to get to orbit. Once the Crew Dragon has separated, it makes the rest of the journey to the ISS using its own thrusters.

But one section of the rocket will touch down softly on a ship using engine power so that it can be re-used on a future flight. This is a SpaceX speciality that sets its Falcon apart from all other orbital rockets in use today.

Watch the Crew Dragon fly over the UK

Skywatchers in the UK should be able to see the International Space Station and the Crew Dragon capsule pass over the United Kingdom later.

The space station will pass over first, at around the time of launch. Then, the Crew Dragon, carrying Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, will fly past around 25 minutes after lift-off (roughly 21:58 BST).

It's a unique and historic opportunity to see them both before the rendezvous with the ISS some 24 hours later.

Social embed from twitter

Jonathan Amos
@BBCAmos
A little more detail on the visibility of #CrewDragon this evening in the UK, assuming the launch goes ahead. ISS comes over first (at the time of launch), followed by the capsule about 25 mins later. ISS will be closer to the horizon. Info from www.heavens-above.com

From https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/scie...nment-52790778

[James]

Live video.

Youtube video

[Milja.]

oh my god miss Rona going interstellar love that for her.

[Milja.]

But on a more serious not that really interesting that’s it’s finally hAppening just hope there safe

Spoiler:

Mods please don’t ban me the first comment was a joke

[bitontheslide]

is it just me or do the crew helpers look like ISIS members

[James]

Launch called off due to weather.

Next attempt is Saturday at 20:22 BST.

[arista]

Originally Posted by James

Launch called off due to weather.

Next attempt is Saturday at 20:22 BST.

Fair Enough
best to be safe

[LaLaLand]

Really hope the sky conditions here are the same again on Saturday because atm it’s SO CLEAR. Was really looking forward to possibly seeing it as was my little niece. Fingers crossed!

[bitontheslide]

Originally Posted by LaLaLand

Really hope the sky conditions here are the same again on Saturday because atm it’s SO CLEAR. Was really looking forward to possibly seeing it as was my little niece. Fingers crossed!

i heard them say the flight path takes them over Ireland , and the weather is good for the weekend

[James]

Mostly clouded over here tonight.

You can still see the space station tonight pass overhead from South West to East, between about 22:56 and 23:01. The further south you are the higher up and brighter it will be.

https://www.heavens-above.com/PassSu...d&alt=0&tz=GMT

[MTVN]

They've bottled it then

[Nicky91]

another attempt will take place on Saturday now

[James]

From https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020...r-rules-exist/

[bitontheslide]

i thought the design of the new capsule looked great, not so sure about the fashion sense though

[James]

New launch time is tonight at 8:22.

[James]

Live video.

Youtube video