Posted on 02/24/2018 7:54:31 AM PST by Elderberry
A SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to finish certification of the Dragon 2 mission architecture for future crewed missions with ISS Expedition crew members. The Dragon 2 spacecraft will test the approach and automated docking procedure with the Space Station, marking a first for SpaceX as the previous generation of Cargo Dragons used a robotic capture and berthing instead of directly coming in for docking. Dragon 2 will remain docked to ISS for a few weeks before demonstrating its end-of-mission ops, specifically an on-target splashdown and recovery. The SpX-DM1 spacecraft will be re-used for the Falcon 9 in-flight abort test.
Event Details
Launch Date: NET August 2018
Launch Window: TBA
Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 FT (Block 5)
Launch Operator: SpaceX
Launch Site: LC-39A Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Payload: SpX-DM1
Payload Type: Dragon 2 Test Flight
Payload Operator: SpaceX under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
nice!
Thanks Elderberry. Great, I always want to know about it, but now I'll be wishing my whole summer away. :^( ;^)
Mr Scott! Report to the Bridge!!!
They must have had a Ferrangi in charge.
If they’re looking for volunteers... “:^)
NASA should not have ended the Shuttle Program until they had a replacement flying.
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