NASA Astronauts Aboard SpaceX Dragon Launch from US Soil 1st Time in 9 Years

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft is launched from Launch Complex 39A on NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley onboard, Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 3:22 p.m. EDT, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Demo-2 mission is the first launch with astronauts of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. As seen from the Indian River lagoon, Titusville, FL.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

30 May 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

TITUSVILLE, FL –  NASA astronauts launched from American soil for the first time in nine years and accomplished the history making event aboard a commercial SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft soaring from the Florida space coast and bound for the International Space Station (ISS) – to the cheers of tens of thousands of spectators gathered from around America and three days after dismal weather forced a scrub of the first attempt on Wednesday. 

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/nasa-astronauts-aboard-spacex-dragon-launch-from-us-soil-1st-time-in-9-years/

Dismal Weather Scrubs Historic SpaceX Launch of NASA Astronauts: Photos

As 2nd stage vents LOX in final moments before SpaceX called Falcon 9 rocket launch scrub – this wide view shows dismal weather and shelf cloud over NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and VAB that forced SpaceX to halt countdown at T Minus 16 min May 27 – of historic Demo-2 mission with 2 NASA astronauts aboard – moments after lighting strikes off camera right. As seen from the Indian River lagoon, Titusville, FL. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

27 May 2020 

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

TITUSVILLE, FL –  Dismal weather forced SpaceX and NASA to scrub the first launch attempt of American astronauts from Florida’s Space Coast in nearly 9 years this afternoon on the historic first ever piloted launch of the commercial SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/dismal-weather-scrubs-historic-spacex-launch-of-nasa-astronauts-photos/

NASA and SpaceX Poised for Launch of 1st US Astronauts from US Soil in Nearly a Decade: Watch Live

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon atop, stands poised for launch at historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission liftoff on May 27, 2020. Photo credit: NASA/SpaceX

26 May 2020

Ken Kremer-- For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  Following approval from the NASA and SpaceX teams after the Launch Readiness Review on Monday and final preflight checks Tuesday the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are now poised for liftoff of the historic 1^st human launch from US soil in nearly a decade since the retirement of NASA’s Space Shuttle system in 2011 – weather permitting.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/nasa-and-spacex-poised-for-launch-of-1st-us-astronauts-from-us-soil-in-nearly-a-decade-watch-live/

NASA and SpaceX Complete Launch Day Dress Rehearsal for 1st Crew Dragon Astronaut Launch: Photos

NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley (left) and Robert Behnken (right) participate in a dress rehearsal for launch at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 23, 2020, ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett 

23 May 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  In one of their final major pre-launch training exercises NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley participated in a thorough countdown dry dress rehearsal today, May 23, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida of the exact events they will run through on their history making launch aboard the 1^st piloted Space X Crew Dragon mission planned for Wednesday, May 27 from Launch Complex-39A.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/nasa-and-spacex-complete-launch-day-dress-rehearsal-for-1st-crew-dragon-astronaut-launch-photos/

NASA and SpaceX give GO for Historic 1st Crew Dragon Astronaut Launch after Successful Engine Test: Photos

SpaceX conducts successful static fire test of Falcon 9 first stage engines at 4:33 p.m. EDT on May 22 with exhaust spewing out from the flame trench at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL, for Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission slated for launch May 27, 2020.  As seen from the Indian River lagoon, Titusville, FL.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

22 May 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  Following a two day long Flight Readiness Review and a successful test firing of the critical 1^st stage engines later this afternoon, the NASA and SpaceX teams gave the GO for launch of the first SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and integrated Crew Dragon spacecraft that will launch humans to space on its historic 1^st astronaut mission slated for next week Wednesday, May 27 from the Florida Space Coast to the International Space Station (ISS) - as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/nasa-and-spacex-give-go-for-historic-1st-crew-dragon-astronaut-launch-after-successful-engine-test-photos/

SpaceX Crew Dragon Meets Falcon 9 and Goes Vertical at Launch Pad for Historic 1st Astronaut Launch: Photos

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen as it is raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Demo-2 mission, Thursday, May 21, 2020, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission is the first launch with astronauts of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.   Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls  

21 May 2020

Ken Kremer - -  For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  The first SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and integrated Crew Dragon spacecraft that will launch humans to space on its historic 1^st astronaut mission has rolled out this morning May 21 to the pad and gone vertical ahead of blastoff still slated for next week Wednesday, May 27 from the Florida Space Coast to the International Space Station (ISS) - as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/spacex-crew-dragon-meets-falcon-9-and-goes-vertical-at-launch-pad-for-historic-1st-astronaut-launch-photos/

Two Astronauts Arrive at KSC for Historic 1st SpaceX Crew Dragon Mission to ISS

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken, left, and Douglas Hurley speak to members of the media after arriving at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center ahead of SpaceX’s Demo-2 mission, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, in Florida. A new era of human spaceflight is set to begin as American astronauts once again launch on an American rocket from American soil to low-Earth orbit for the first time since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011.   Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls.

20 May 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  A pair of veteran NASA astronauts - Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken – flew to the Florida Space Coast and arrived this afternoon May 20 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to start the final preparations for the history making 1^st launch of American astronauts in nine years atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket since the retirement of NASA’s space shuttles in 2011.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/two-astronauts-arrive-at-ksc-for-historic-1st-spacex-crew-dragon-mission-to-iss/

NASA Head of Human Spaceflight Resigns Just Days before 1st US Human Spaceflight in 9 years

Doug Loverro, NASA's Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, resigned from his post on May 18, 2020.  Credit: NASA

19 May 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  In a shocking turn of events the recently appointed head of all NASA’s Human Spaceflight programs at Headquarters in Washington, D.C. , Doug Loverro, has resigned effective immediately – and it comes at a very critical juncture for the agency - just 9 days before American astronauts fly again to space from American soil for the first time in 9 years, on the commercial SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle on the Demo-2 test flight mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and as NASA ramps up for the Project Artemis human lunar landings.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/nasa-head-of-human-spaceflight-resigns-just-days-before-1st-us-human-spaceflight-in-9-years/

NASA Buys More SLS Rocket Engines for Future Artemis Missions

Crews delivered the last of four RS-25 engines for Artemis 1, the first flight of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, from NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on June 27, 2019. The Aerojet Rocketdyne engines are lined up side-by-side on June 28 and will be installed into the SLS engine section Fall 2019. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

10 May 2020

Ken Kremer

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  On the heels of awarding contracts to a trio of U.S. companies to design and develop the critical human landing system under NASA’s Artemis moon landing program, the agency has announced a contract award to purchase  all the additional rocket engines  to power four more missions of the Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket that will propel NASA astronauts to the Moon later this decade. 

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/nasa-buys-more-sls-rocket-engines-for-future-artemis-missions/

Clandestine X-37B Spaceplane Successfully Soars to Space on ULA Atlas V for U.S. Space Force: Photos

Daylight Steak! Top secret X-37B spaceplane zooms to orbit atop ULA Atlas V but disappears behind thick dark clouds overhead after about 10 seconds into this 30 second long daytime exposure on the OTV-6 mission for the U.S. Space Force from Space Launch Complex-41 at 9:14 a.m. EDT on May 17, 2020 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

17 May 2020

Ken Kremer - -  For Space Upclose.com and RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL – After a days delay due to atrocious weather the clandestine X-37B spaceplane successfully soared to space atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V for the U.S. Space Force from the Florida Space Coast Sunday morning May 17 – on a mission dedicated to first responders amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic crisis.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/clandestine-x-37b-spaceplane-successfully-soars-to-space-on-ula-atlas-v-for-u-s-space-force-photos/

Dreadful Weather Delays Back-to-Back Ultra-Rare ULA and SpaceX Launches from Florida Space Coast: Photos

2 rockets on 2 launch pads ULA Atlas V (left) and SpaceX Falcon 9 (right): Currently raised at adjoining Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida launch complexes under gloomy weather conditions on May 16, 2020 and situated barely 1.5 miles apart. The Atlas V on pad 41 poised for liftoff now reset to May 17, 2020 at 9:14 a.m. EDT and the SpaceX Falcon 9 on pad 40 following a day later. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/SpaceUpClose.com

16 May 2020

Ken Kremer - - For Space Upclose.com and RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL – Absolutely dreadful weather forced a scrub to this mornings (May 16) Atlas V liftoff and thereby delayed the back-to-back double header of ultra-rare and exciting rocket launches  slated for this weekend by a day each by rocket makers ULA and SpaceX respectively from the Florida Space Coast – pretty much as expected based on the ultra-poor weather forecast. 

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/dreadful-weather-delays-back-to-back-ultra-rare-ula-and-spacex-launches-from-florida-space-coast-photos/

Weekend Launch Double Header on Tap from Florida Space Coast by ULA and SpaceX: Watch Live

ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the X-37B minispaceplane USSF-7 (OTV-6) mission for the U.S. Space Force rolls out to Space Launch Complex-41 for launch slated for May 16, 2020 at 8:24 a.m. EDT. Credit: ULA

15 May 2020

For Space Upclose.com and RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – An exciting and utterly rare weekend double header of rocket launches is slated for this weekend from the Florida Space Coast by rocket makers ULA and SpaceX respectively – weather permitting - as storm clouds and rain inundate central Florida. 

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/weekend-launch-double-header-on-tap-from-florida-space-coast-by-ula-and-spacex-watch-live/

SpaceX Completes 5x Recycled Falcon 9 Static Fire Test for Next Starlink Launch Targeting May 17: Photos

As seen on WKMG CBS 6 TV News Orlando – SpaceX conducts successful static fire test of Falcon 9 first stage engines at 1O a.m. EDT on May 13 with exhaust spewing out from the flame trench at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for 8th Starlink mission targeted for launch May 17, 2020 at 3:53 a.m. ET. As seen from the Indian River, Titusville. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

13 May2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

TITUSVILLE, FL - SpaceX engineers completed a successful morning time static fire test of the now 5 times recycled Falcon 9 first stage and engines on Wednesday, May 13  for the upcoming eighth Starlink launch of broadband internet satellites now targeting Sunday middle-of-the-night from the Florida Space Coast – although stormy weather could intervene.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/spacex-completes-5x-recycled-falcon-9-static-fire-test-for-next-starlink-launch-targeting-may-17-photos/

Ingenuity – Alabama High School Junior Names 1st Ever Red Planet Helicopter for NASA's Mars 2020 Rover Perseverance

High School Junior Names NASA's Mars Helicopter: Vaneeza Rupani (inset), a junior at Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport, Alabama, came up with the name Ingenuity for NASA's Mars Helicopter (an artist's impression of which is seen here) and the motivation behind it for NASA's "Name the Rover" essay contest. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/NIA/Rupani Family

9 May 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Ingenuity has been chosen as the name for the small but innovative and groundbreaking spacecraft that will mark NASA's first attempt at powered flight on another planet as part of NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission – and the name was submitted by Alabama High School junior student Vaneeza Rupani.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/ingenuity-alabama-high-school-junior-names-1st-ever-red-planet-helicopter-for-nasas-mars-2020-rover-perseverance/

Dragon Demo-2 Crew Capsule Trunk Attached as NASA Worm Returns on SpaceX Falcon 9

The SpaceX Crew Dragon trunk was secured to the spacecraft on April 30, 2020 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, in preparation for launch of NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A on May 27. Credit: SpaceX

4 May 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  With just over three weeks to go until the history making launch of the commercial SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission by NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station (ISS) that will restore U.S. human spaceflight capabilities the trunk was attached to the spacecraft at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/dragon-demo-2-crew-capsule-trunk-attached-as-nasa-worm-returns-on-spacex-falcon-9/

NASA Selects 3 US Companies to Develop Human Landers for Artemis Moon Missions

3 U.S companies - Blue Origin, Dynetics and SpaceX - were selected by NASA to start design and development of human landing systems for Artemis astronauts to land on the Moon starting in 2024.  Credits: NASA

1 May 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL -  Marking a significant step forward in landing Americans on the Moon by 2024 NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced the selection of three U.S. companies – Blue Origin, SpaceX and Dynetics - to design and develop the critical human landing systems (HLS) under the agency’s Artemis moon landing program.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/05/nasa-selects-3-us-companies-to-develop-human-landers-for-artemis-moon-missions/

SpaceX Retracts All 4 Recycled Falcon 9 Starlink Landing Legs for Cape Transport after Craning Off OCISLY Droneship: Photos

All 4 SpaceX Falcon 9 landing legs are fully retracted against booster core and stand vertical on work pedestal on April 28, 2020 beside Liebherr crane prior to lowering to horizonal at Port Canaveral, FL.  From Starlink 6 launch Apr 22 from Space Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

28 April 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

PORT CANAVERAL, FL –  Despite a slightly harder landing than normal landing on the OCISLY droneship minutes after last weeks Starlink mission blastoff on Apr. 22, SpaceX workers successfully retracted all four of the recycled Falcon 9 1^st stage landing legs in a single afternoon in Port Canaveral on Tuesday April 28, after craning it off the sea landing platform onto land in the early morning hours.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/04/spacex-retracts-all-4-recycled-falcon-9-starlink-landing-legs-for-cape-transport-after-craning-off-ocisly-droneship-photos/