Posted on 03/01/2019 11:32:12 AM PST by Moonman62
After years of on-the-ground development and testing, the SpaceX spaceship that’s destined to carry NASA astronauts is going on its first uncrewed test mission to the International Space Station tonight — and you can watch the historic liftoff from multiple angles.
When SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule lifts off from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, atop a Falcon 9 rocket, there won’t be any humans aboard. But there will be a crew member of sorts.
SpaceX has placed a spacesuit-wearing, sensor-laden mannequin in one of the Dragon’s seats, to gather data about how rigorous the ride will be for actual astronauts later this year. Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX’s vice president of build and flight reliability, shied away from calling the test device a dummy.
“We call it a ‘smartie,’ and her name is Ripley,” Koenigsmann told reporters at a pre-launch briefing.
The name pays tribute to the spaceflying character played by Sigourney Weaver in the “Alien” series of sci-fi movies. It also brings a bit of anthropomorphic gender balance to SpaceX’s test mannequins: For last year’s maiden launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, the test payload included a Tesla Roadster with a dummy nicknamed “Starman” in the driver’s seat.
Ripley’s ride is due to begin at 2:49 a.m. ET Saturday (11:49 p.m. PT Friday). Streaming-video coverage of the countdown and launch will begin on NASA TV at 2 a.m. ET (11 p.m. PT), and via SpaceX’s YouTube channel sometime afterward:
(Excerpt) Read more at geekwire.com ...
Us’tah live in a cottage on the Indian River in Bellwood.Drectly across from pad39.
Night shots were better than 4 of July
I would enjoy that.
I’m about 200 miles away. I can see the night launches well when it’s clear.
That is an early morning launch.
Will have to watch the replay.
Also here. :-)
I have to agree. :)
Spacecraft in the real world starting to look like those in the movies.
Soave sia il vento
Tranquilla sia l’onda
Ed ogni elemento
Benigno risponda
Ai nostri desi
I had to look that up. Is this a correct translation?
May the wind be gentle,
may the wave(s) be calm,
and may every one of the elements
warmly fulfill our (your) wishes.
“Ash...”
Now that you mention it, that seems correct.
Thanks fieldmarshaldj. They should also send up some Mars bars (get a little product placement money goin').
Thanks for the pix It rounds out your posting.
Saturday, March 2, 2:49 a.m. EST is the targeted launch of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket—the first launch of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft and space system designed for humans. Liftoff is from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Demo-1 mission to the International Space Station serves as an end-to-end test of the system’s capabilities.
NASA TV live coverage begins at 2 a.m. (30 minutes from this post)
That’s a good size.
Look at the American flags, the NASA logo and the black and white scheme of the Saturn V. The gantry and access arm are also in black and white. It all looks good.
Successful launch. Glad I set my alarm. Good clear night, I could see the launch, most of the second stage burn and the reentry burn of the first stage. That’s the first time I could see a reentry burn for a drone ship landing. I’d estimate it was close to 500 miles away.
Looks like They’ve got 1st Class Seating !!!
There’s more legroom than Our 2018 Chevy Colorado has.
no lie
Not as roomy as the Shuttle, but more than the Apollo and a lot more than the Russian capsules.
It can carry up to 7 like the Shuttle, but current plans are to only use it for up to 4.
The zero gravity indicator is getting more coverage than Ripley.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.