SpaceX Crew Dragon Launch Try #2

  • Context: SpaceX 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Launch Spacex
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The SpaceX Crew Dragon launch on May 30 marked a historic moment as NASA and SpaceX successfully transported astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission signifies the return of U.S. independent access to Earth orbit after nine years and highlights SpaceX's achievement as the first private company to launch humans to the ISS. The launch was accompanied by a Dragon to ISS docking simulator, allowing users to experience the docking process. The mission's success is a testament to SpaceX's innovative reusable rocket technology, which has significantly reduced costs in space exploration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of NASA's Commercial Crew Program
  • Familiarity with SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft
  • Knowledge of International Space Station (ISS) operations
  • Basic concepts of rocket reusability and launch technology
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the NASA Commercial Crew Program details
  • Learn about the engineering behind SpaceX's reusable rockets
  • Research the operational protocols for ISS docking procedures
  • Investigate the future of private space travel and upcoming SpaceX missions
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, space enthusiasts, educators, and anyone interested in the advancements of commercial space travel and the role of private companies in space exploration.

Messages
19,865
Reaction score
10,853
TL;DR
Watch history unfold on Saturday, May 30, as NASA and SpaceX launch astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station.
Here we go again! Set for 3:22PM EST. Lots of analysis in this live video already!

 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Motore, DennisN, JD_PM and 4 others
Physics news on Phys.org
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: etotheipi, TeethWhitener and Buzz Bloom
Very exciting! We watched the successful launch live as a family. Everyone was into it, even my four-year-old
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: sysprog, hutchphd, JD_PM and 3 others
It was almost as exciting as watching the lift-off of Alan Shepard on Freedom 7. (Uh Oh, I just dated myself.)
 
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: Dale
Greg Bernhardt said:
Summary:: Watch history unfold on Saturday, May 30, as NASA and SpaceX launch astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station.

Here we go again! Set for 3:22PM EST. Lots of analysis in this live video already!


Brought tears to my eyes. Loved every second.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Klystron and Dale
The whole design is so unbelievably cool. If this doesn't scream Star Trek then I don't know what does...:

1590876170736.png


Also, SpaceX have made a neat little Dragon to ISS docking simulator where you can try using the actual controls Bob and Doug will be using to dock tomorrow! I'd recommend reading the instructions first though, since it's pretty fiddly!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Dale, Klystron and Greg Bernhardt
We are planning on watching the docking too. Probably won’t be as exciting as the launch, but the whole family is interested
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: anorlunda
Docking was successful, they just opened the hatch to the ISS.

After 9 years the US has independent access to Earth orbit and the ISS again.

The first private company to fly cargo to the ISS also became the first private company to launch people to the ISS (and people to orbit in general).
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: anorlunda
Well, apparently you don't just dock, pop the hatch and jump out, do you?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Dale
  • #10
Yes, it definitely is slower than getting off a plane.

My kids color commentary was pretty amusing though. The purple sparkly dinosaur was a favorite
 
  • #11
These guys sure are methodical.
Congratulations to SpaceX and NASA.
 
  • #12
gleem said:
Well, apparently you don't just dock, pop the hatch and jump out, do you?
The tests of Dragon didn't end with docking. Future missions should be faster.
 
  • #14
I still find the reusable boosters of SpaceX and Blue Origins to be totally cool. As a kid watching Tom Corbett and the Space Cadets (I’m dating myself too) space ships landed on their tails. That’s the way it was supposed to be. And then we started dumping them in the ocean. It took some new(old) thinking to say, “Maybe we could land the thing instead of scrapping it?” It took some tech leaps with main engines that could throttle and restart, telemetry and radar that could guide to a pinpoint, landing legs that worked, etc., but they did it saving billions$$$. As to the design, I would expect nothing less from Musk. My daughter has a Tesla 3. It looks the same inside as the Dragon. Speaking of Tesla, nobody thought that would pan out either. Guess they were wrong. So where are we re: Hyperloop?
 
  • #16
And they’re everywhere in Louisville too. My daughter’s car is going on two years old and has yet to incur a single repair or preventative maintenance action. At some point old Tesla’s will need some service I suppose.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
5K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 271 ·
10
Replies
271
Views
28K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K