Crew-5 Launch: At 11:00 AM CT today, SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance lifted off from Launch Complex -39A at Kennedy Space Center on a Falcon 9 rocket and is scheduled to dock to the ISS tomorrow afternoon at 3:57 PM CT. Crew Dragon Endurance carries NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata, …
Dragon Spacecraft Reaches Orbit, News Conference at 1:30 p.m. EDT
The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Nicole Aunapu Mann, commander; Josh Cassada, pilot; and mission specialists JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina has safely reached orbit, and the nosecone has been opened. At 1:30 p.m., NASA will host a postlaunch news conference from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center …
Separation Confirmed! Crew Dragon Endurance Leaves Behind Second Stage
The Dragon Endurance spacecraft has separated from the second stage.
Stage 1 Successfully Lands on SpaceX Drone Ship
Stage 1 of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket completed its descent and successfully landed on the company’s drone ship, Just Read the Instructions, off the coast of Florida.
Shutdown of the Second Stage Engine
Shutdown of the second stage engine occurred right on time. All is proceeding as planned.
Second Stage Engine Continues to Burn
The second stage engine continues to burn. About 8 minutes into flight, all is well.
Crew-5 Reports Trajectory Nominal
The positive call came in from Crew-5 Commander Nicole Mann that trajectory is nominal. The first stage has started its descent.
First Stage Main Engine Cutoff, First and Second Stages Separate
The rocket has reached first stage main engine cutoff (MECO). The first and second stages have separated.
Rocket Reaches Max Q
Max Q, or the moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket, has been reached.