The Dragon Endurance spacecraft has separated from the second stage. The spacecraft is traveling at approximately 17,500 miles per hour.
Category: International Space Station
Shutdown of the Second Stage Engine
Shutdown of the second stage engine occurred right on time. All is proceeding as planned.
Second Stage Engine Continues to Burn
The second stage engine continues to burn. About 8 minutes into flight, all is well.
Crew-5 Reports Trajectory Nominal
The positive call came in from Crew-5 Commander Nicole Mann 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.
Rocket Reaches Max Q
Max Q, or the moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket, has been reached.
Liftoff! Crew-5 Astronauts Soar into the Florida Afternoon Sky
The Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft roared off of Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida! Nicole Aunapu Mann, Josh Cassada, Koichi Wakata, and Anna Kikina have successfully begun their approximate 29-hour journey to the International Space Station on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission.
Max Q will happen during the next minute.
Crew-5 in Terminal Count, Ready for Launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
The RP-1 rocket fuel load is complete.
Just a few minutes until liftoff, and all looks good for the Crew-5 launch!
Crew-5 Remains on Schedule, Launch About 15 Minutes Away
Fuel loading is complete on the second stage, and liquid oxygen loading has begun. Everything remains on target for the noon EDT launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida.
Weather conditions remain extremely favorable.
Propellant and Liquid Oxygen Loading Underway
Right on schedule – at T-minus 35 minutes – RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading and first stage liquid oxygen loading has begun.
Liftoff, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is at noon EDT today.