The call came in from Crew-2 Commander Shane Kimbrough 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. The second stage engine will start.
Liftoff! Crew-2 Astronauts on Their Way to the International Space Station
The Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft Endeavour lifts off in the early morning from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Crew-2 astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Akihido Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet have begun their 23.5-hour journey to the International Space Station on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission. Liftoff occurred at 5:49:02 a.m. EDT.
Max Q (the moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) will happen in the next minute.
Crew Dragon is in Terminal Count
Fuel loading is complete. Five minutes to lifoff, and all looks good for the Crew-2 launch!
Crew-2 Remains on Schedule, Launch Less Than 15 Minutes Away
Fuel loading is complete on the first stage, and liquid oxygen loading has begun on the second stage. Everything remains on target for the 5:49 a.m. EDT launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Propellant and Liquid Oxygen Loading Underway
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fueling has begun. RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading and first stage liquid oxygen loading is underway. Liftoff is scheduled for 5:49 a.m. EDT.
For this morning’s launch, the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron continues to predict a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at the launch pad for liftoff based on Falcon 9 Crew Dragon launch weather criteria.
Crew Access Arm Retracted; Launch Escape System Will be Armed
The crew access arm has retracted. A few minutes later Crew Dragon’s launch escape system will be armed. From liftoff until they reach orbit, roughly 12 minutes, the crew would be able to escape safely in the unlikely event of an anomaly.
Up next is propellant loading.
SpaceX Launch Director Verifies ‘Go’ for Propellant Load
In just a few minutes, the rocket’s first stage will be loaded with rocket grade kerosene called RP-1 and liquid oxygen. Then the second stage will be loaded with liquid oxygen.
Crew Dragon Spacecraft is ‘Go’ for Launch
Confirmation was received from Commander Shane Kimbrough that Crew Dragon, named Endeavour by the crew, is ‘go’ for launch! The next call will come at T-minus 45 minutes from the launch director. Weather looks good and we remain on target for a 5:49 a.m. EDT launch.
Hatch Closed on Crew Dragon
The hatch is now closed on the Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour by the Crew-2 astronauts. Liftoff for Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Akihido Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet is just under two hours away (5:49 a.m. EDT).