SpaceX, NASA complete 1st crewed US rocket launch in almost a decade, despite weather obstacles
By
Lauren Fox, AccuWeather staff writer
Published May 30, 2020 10:56 PM EDT
Rocket launches are amazing to watch, but they're also at the mercy of the weather. Here's how NASA and SpaceX deals with inclement weather prior to launch.
After a stormy start to the day that left liftoff in question entirely, SpaceX and NASA were able to make history on Saturday by successfully launching Falcon 9 in Crew Dragon's second demonstration (Demo-2) mission.
The launch was the first crewed-rocket launch from the United States in almost a decade, with the last one occurring in 2011, before the Space Shuttle program ended. It was also the first time a private company launched a human into space on a mission to the International Space Station.
For the past nine years, American astronauts have been traveling to space on Russian rockets.
The launch on Saturday, which occurred at 3:22 p.m. EDT, was attempt two. The first attempt to launch was scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, but was postponed due to lightning worries, which could have threatened the safety of the astronauts.
Early on Saturday morning, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine confirmed that they would proceed with the launch attempt but said "weather challenges remain with a 50% chance of cancellation."
While the main weather concerns that could pose a threat to the launch were rain and lightning, downrange weather conditions could cause concern, too. If stormy weather creates rough sea conditions, the astronauts would not be able to abort the mission and fall into the Atlantic Ocean in the event of a mishap.
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By 2:34 p.m. EDT, Bridenstine announced that weather was suitable for the launch to take place.
A Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket with a payload of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX's Starlink broadband network lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
"This test flight with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley on board the Dragon spacecraft returned human spaceflight to the United States," according to SpaceX.
Crew Dragon is expected to dock at the International Space Station at approximately 10:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday, May 31. The Crew Dragon launch was the final major test needed for SpaceX’s human spaceflight system to be certified by NASA for operational crew missions to and from the International Space Station.
"The names of Hurley and Behnken will stand in the history books alongside those of legends like Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Young," President Donald Trump said after liftoff was successful.
Behnken and Hurley have a long history together dating back to 2000 when they were in the same astronaut class. Hurley was the best man in Behnken's wedding.
"I certainly didn't expect to fly again, (and) I certainly didn't necessarily have a plan to fly again," Hurley said in an interview with USA Today. "Once again, I think Bob and I are very humbled to be in this position."
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, speaks as NASA astronauts listen during a news conference after the SpaceX Falcon 9 Demo-1 launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
While the two have known each other a while, they have never completed a spaceflight together. The SpaceX launch is their first.
"I think we have a different perspective of the importance of coming to Florida, launching again on an American rocket from the Florida coast and generations of people who maybe didn't get a chance to see a space shuttle launch. Behnken said in the interview. "Getting a chance again to see human spaceflight in our own backyard is pretty exciting to be a part of."
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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News / Weather News
SpaceX, NASA complete 1st crewed US rocket launch in almost a decade, despite weather obstacles
By Lauren Fox, AccuWeather staff writer
Published May 30, 2020 10:56 PM EDT
Rocket launches are amazing to watch, but they're also at the mercy of the weather. Here's how NASA and SpaceX deals with inclement weather prior to launch.
After a stormy start to the day that left liftoff in question entirely, SpaceX and NASA were able to make history on Saturday by successfully launching Falcon 9 in Crew Dragon's second demonstration (Demo-2) mission.
The launch was the first crewed-rocket launch from the United States in almost a decade, with the last one occurring in 2011, before the Space Shuttle program ended. It was also the first time a private company launched a human into space on a mission to the International Space Station.
For the past nine years, American astronauts have been traveling to space on Russian rockets.
The launch on Saturday, which occurred at 3:22 p.m. EDT, was attempt two. The first attempt to launch was scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, but was postponed due to lightning worries, which could have threatened the safety of the astronauts.
Early on Saturday morning, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine confirmed that they would proceed with the launch attempt but said "weather challenges remain with a 50% chance of cancellation."
While the main weather concerns that could pose a threat to the launch were rain and lightning, downrange weather conditions could cause concern, too. If stormy weather creates rough sea conditions, the astronauts would not be able to abort the mission and fall into the Atlantic Ocean in the event of a mishap.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
By 2:34 p.m. EDT, Bridenstine announced that weather was suitable for the launch to take place.
A Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket with a payload of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX's Starlink broadband network lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
"This test flight with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley on board the Dragon spacecraft returned human spaceflight to the United States," according to SpaceX.
Crew Dragon is expected to dock at the International Space Station at approximately 10:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday, May 31. The Crew Dragon launch was the final major test needed for SpaceX’s human spaceflight system to be certified by NASA for operational crew missions to and from the International Space Station.
Related:
"The names of Hurley and Behnken will stand in the history books alongside those of legends like Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Young," President Donald Trump said after liftoff was successful.
Behnken and Hurley have a long history together dating back to 2000 when they were in the same astronaut class. Hurley was the best man in Behnken's wedding.
"I certainly didn't expect to fly again, (and) I certainly didn't necessarily have a plan to fly again," Hurley said in an interview with USA Today. "Once again, I think Bob and I are very humbled to be in this position."
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, speaks as NASA astronauts listen during a news conference after the SpaceX Falcon 9 Demo-1 launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
While the two have known each other a while, they have never completed a spaceflight together. The SpaceX launch is their first.
"I think we have a different perspective of the importance of coming to Florida, launching again on an American rocket from the Florida coast and generations of people who maybe didn't get a chance to see a space shuttle launch. Behnken said in the interview. "Getting a chance again to see human spaceflight in our own backyard is pretty exciting to be a part of."
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo