NASA And SpaceX’s First Astronaut Launch
SpaceX is on the verge of making space travel history for both itself and NASA. The private rocket company, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, is hoping to launch its first passengers into space from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US soon. They will launch its Falcon 9 rocket with two NASA astronauts on board. Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are making a trip to the International Space Station (ISS) and will stay there for 6 to 16 weeks. The mission is called Demo-2 and its private company’s first crewed mission ever.
In 2011, NASA retired its space shuttle and has been hinging on Russian Soyuz spacecraft for the launches. According to a report, Russia charges up to $86 million (approx Rs. 650 crores) per seat in the spacecraft. However, It will cost $55 million (approx Rs. 416 crores) for SpaceX. Launch of the astronauts is also deemed to be the restoration of American pride.
On Wednesday, May 27 the Falcon 9 rocket will blast-off at 4:33 pm EDT (2:03 am IST on Thursday, May 28) with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on its top. Bad weather may delay the launch. As per the report of Mike McAleenan, launch weather officer for the US Space Force, there is a 40% chance of bad weather due to rains or clouds on the launch day.
The dignitaries scheduled to attend the launch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center include President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. CEO and founder of SpaceX Musk will watch the mission from the control room which is just a few miles from the launch site.
NASA will broadcast 24 hours of nonstop live coverage of SpaceX Demo-2. The live stream will begin four hours before lift-off and will continue until the spacecraft anchors with the International Space Station the next day.