Live Updates: AMERICA HAS LAUNCHED

2020-05-30

This page will be updated periodically leading up to launch and throughout the mission; check back for updates!

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Updates 5/31/2020

Great to see the full crew together on station!

Updates 5/30/2020

2:22 p.m. CDT: AMERICA HAS LAUNCHED!

1:34 p.m. CDT

Weather is "GO" at this time. Excitement building …

1:18 p.m. CDT

With about an hour and some minutes remaining until today’s 2:22 p.m. CDT liftoff time, SpaceX Demo-2 launch countdown is proceeding according to schedule at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A weather update is coming up; although rain in the launch area has let up, some conditions are still “no go,” including lightning, cumulus …

11:57 a.m. CDT

The crew members' seats are now in their launch configuration on the pad.

11:04 a.m. CDT

"Let's light this candle; I agree," Behnken enthused. The astronauts say farewells to their families and head out for the pad.

10:59 a.m. CDT

Singer Kelly Clarkson wows with a virtual rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

10:28 a.m. CDT

Suit-up begins for the second launch attempt of Demo-2! Weather is looking more promising than the first attempt on May 27.

Updates 5/28/2020

After Wednesday's scrub due to weather, NASA and SpaceX have targeted Saturday, May 30, for the next launch attempt for the Demo-2 mission, the first launch of astronauts on an American rocket from American soil since the last space shuttle mission in 2011.

“I think our teams worked together in a really impressive way, making good decisions all along,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said afterwards.

Launch of the mission, dubbed Launch America, is scheduled for 2:22 p.m. CDT on Saturday. NASA TV coverage begins bright and early at 10 a.m. Members of the public can participate in the mission through NASA’s virtual guest operations.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine watches as NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken return to the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building from Launch Complex 39A after the launch was scrubbed due to weather on May 27, 2020, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Updates 5/27/2020

3:28 p.m. CDT

Glad that we were able to keep the crew safe and we are already excited for Saturday!

3:18 p.m. CDT

Launch has been delayed due to weather. The next attempt will take place on Saturday at 2:22 CT.

2:50 p.m. CDT

After crew access arm retraction, propellant loading begins. It's the last major visual milestone until liftoff.

2:36 p.m. CDT

With less than an hour to launch, Hurley reports that he and Behnken are a "GO" barring any systems or weather issues.

1:43 p.m. CDT

Hatch closed (and a good leak check)!

1:28 p.m. CDT

Center Director Geyer wishes the crew luck!

12:50 p.m. CDT

Suit techs strapping in astronauts Behnken and Hurley inside Crew Dragon.

12:42 p.m. CDT

At the stairs before going up to the White Room and crew access arm.

12:17 p.m. CDT

On their way to the launch pad!

11:55 a.m. CDT

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine share words with the crew members after a leak check of the suits.

Full steam ahead!

Behnken and Hurley are spending the morning in the Astronaut Crew Quarters inside Kennedy’s Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building, where they’ll sit down for a preflight meal five hours prior to launch. The crewmates will receive a weather briefing at approximately 11:15 a.m. CDT, then begin suiting up in the crew quarters’ Suit Room around 11:30 a.m.

Here’s an overview of the countdown milestones ahead:

-04:15:00       Crew weather brief
-04:05:00       Crew handoff
-04:00:00       Suit donning and checkouts
-03:22:00       Crew walk out from Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building
-03:15:00       Crew transportation to Launch Complex 39A
-02:55:00       Crew arrives at pad
-02:35:00       Crew ingress
-02:20:00       Communication check
-02:15:00       Verify ready for seat rotation
-02:14:00       Suit leak checks
-01:55:00       Hatch close
-00:45:00       SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load
-00:42:00       Crew access arm retracts
-00:37:00       Dragon launch escape system is armed
-00:35:00       RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins
-00:35:00       1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
-00:16:00       2nd stage LOX loading begins
-00:07:00       Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
-00:05:00       Dragon transitions to internal power
-00:01:00       Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
-00:01:00       Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
-00:00:45       SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
-00:00:03       Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
-00:00:00       Falcon 9 liftoff

You will not want to miss this!!!

The JSC team has been vital in making today possible. THANK YOU JSC!

The dawn of a new era.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at sunrise as preparations continue for the Demo-2 mission today, May 27, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credits: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Updates 5/26/2020

A new era launches tomorrow. Tune in to hear NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine provide updates. CLICK HERE

Updates 5/23/2020

On Saturday, May 23, NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley (left) and Robert Behnken took part in a dress rehearsal of pre-launch events after receiving a "go" for the Demo-2 mission.

Updates 5/22/2020

The conclusion of the Flight Readiness Review clears Crew Dragon to proceed.

Updates 5/21/2020

And the Flight Readiness Review is underway!

Updates 5/20/2020

They have arrived at KSC

And they are off!

This afternoon the crew heads to Kennedy as we are a week away from the historic launch of DM-2. Tune in to NASA TV at 3 p.m. CT for the crew arrival news conference.