<![CDATA[SpaceX to launch NASA’s first commercial mission with astronauts today]]> https://usagag.com/2020/05/27/spacex-to-launch-nasas-first-commercial-mission-with-astronauts-today/ Wed, 27 May 2020 14:30:05 +0000 hourly 1 https://usagag.com SpaceX to launch NASA’s first commercial mission with astronauts today SpaceX is set to launch astronauts into space for the first time Wednesday in a historic mission for both NASA and Elon Musk’s rocket company.

The planned flight from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center to the International Space Station will mark the first time that a commercial spacecraft has carried humans into orbit.

It will also be the first human launch from US soil since NASA ended its Space Shuttle Program in 2011.

A successful flight would be a key milestone for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, the space agency’s effort to create cost-effective space travel through partnerships with private companies. It would also be an important success for Musk and SpaceX, which have sought to develop reusable spacecraft and bring paying customers into space.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch at 4:33 p.m. Eastern time from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A, where Apollo 11 started its journey to the moon in 1969. Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will be on board in the company’s Crew Dragon capsule.

“Now, rather than rusting away in the salt air, through our partnership with SpaceX, that pad is being used once again,” Kennedy Space Center director Bob Cabana reportedly said at a Tuesday briefing.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen at dawn at launch complex

Getty Images

AP

SpaceX’s final test flight for the Commercial Crew Program will provide important data about the performance of the Falcon rocket, the Dragon capsule and the ground systems involved in the trip, NASA says. The data it produces will also play a role in SpaceX’s certification to ferry astronauts to and from the space station on a regular basis, according to the agency.

NASA gave $3.1 billion to SpaceX and $4.5 billion to aerospace giant Boeing as part of its efforts to build a market for commercial spaceflight. Boeing isn’t expected to launch a crew into space until next year following a botched test of its Starliner capsule in December.

NASA will stream live coverage of the SpaceX launch on its website and on YouTube starting at 12:15 p.m. The run-up to the launch — which President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to see in person — will feature a performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” by singer Kelly Clarkson. There will also be a post-launch news conference with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine at 7:30 p.m.

With Post Wires

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