SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon atop is seen at Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A on Nov. 10, 2021, ahead of the firms SpaceX Crew-3 launch. Credit: NASA
We have liftoff! At 9:03 p.m. EST, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft lit up the night sky at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending out Crew-3 astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron, and Matthias Maurer on the start of a 22-hour journey to the International Space Station.
Coming up in simply one minute, the rocket will travel through Max Q– the moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket. Following this, the Falcon 9s first and 2nd phases will separate.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon takes off from Launch Pad 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on November 10, 2021. Credit: NASA
Main Engine Cutoff; Falcon 9s First Stage Separates
The Falcon 9 rockets first phase has reached main engine cutoff, understood as MECO, and the second and first phases have actually separated. As the 2nd phase continues bring Crew Dragon on its flight, the rockets very first stage will try a targeted landing on a droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Crew-3 Confirms Trajectory is Nominal
The call can be found in from Crew-3 Commander Raja Chari that trajectory is small, and the very first stage has begun its descent. The Falcon 9 rockets 2nd phase will continue to burn for the next couple of minutes prior to deliberately closing down.
Falcon 9 Second Stage Engine Shuts Down
Shutdown of the Falcon 9 rockets second phase engines occurs right on time, and Crew Dragon is now in orbit. In simply a minute, the rockets very first phase will try to land on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
First Stage Sticks the Landing!
The very first stage of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket has effectively arrived at a droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The rocket used for todays objective previously flew on SpaceXs 22nd business resupply objective to the International Space Station in June 2021.
Next up, Crew Dragon will separate from the rockets second phase to continue its journey to the International Space Station.
Separation Confirmed, Crew Dragon Now Flying Solo
SpaceXs Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance by the Crew-3 astronauts, has actually effectively separated from the Falcon 9 rockets 2nd stage and is now flying by itself.
The spacecraft has actually securely reached orbit, and its nosecone has actually been opened. NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, together with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer are slated to show up at the International Space Station about 22 hours from now, around 7:10 p.m. EST on November 11.