A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft is introduced on NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 objective to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti onboard, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani
The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft bring NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti on their method to the International Space Station has securely reached orbit, and the nosecone has opened.
At 5:30 a.m., NASA will host a postlaunch news teleconference from NASAs Kennedy Space Center. Individuals in the instruction will be:
Kathy Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston
Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson
Jessica Jensen, vice president, customer operations and integration, SpaceX
Josef Aschbacher, director basic, ESA
Here are the details of the launch:
The launch escape system for the Crew Dragon spacecraft has been equipped, and fueling of the Falcon 9 rocket is underway. Were now T-35 minutes from launch, and the rocket is being packed with RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene). The second phase of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket is being loaded with liquid oxygen, and everything stays on track for a targeted 3:52 a.m. EDT liftoff. Inside the Crew Dragon spacecraft are NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Lindgren and Cristoforetti have actually formerly taken a trip to the International Space Station, while it will be the very first trip for Hines and Watkins.
SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon atop is seen at Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A on April 26, 2022, as sustaining commences ahead of the agencys SpaceX Crew-4 launch. Credit: NASA
3:14 am EDT, April 27, 2022
The launch escape system for the Crew Dragon spacecraft has been armed, and fueling of the Falcon 9 rocket is underway. Were now T-35 minutes from launch, and the rocket is being packed with RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene). The rockets very first phase likewise is being fueled with liquid oxygen, and a few minutes from now, sustaining will start for the 2nd phase.
Weather condition authorities with the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron predict a 90% chance of beneficial climate condition for this mornings launch. Liftoff is targeted for 3:52 a.m. EDT.
SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon atop is seen at Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A on April 26, 2022, as sustaining commences ahead of the companys SpaceX Crew-4 launch. Credit: NASA
3:32 am EDT, April 27, 2022
The 2nd stage of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket is being packed with liquid oxygen, and everything remains on track for a targeted 3:52 a.m. EDT liftoff. Inside the Crew Dragon spacecraft are NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Lindgren and Cristoforetti have previously traveled to the International Space Station, while it will be the first trip for Hines and Watkins.
SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon atop is seen at Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A on April 26, 2022, ahead of the agencys SpaceX Crew-4 launch. Credit: NASA
3:47 am EDT, April 27, 2022
Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft, called Freedom by the team, is now simply five minutes away. Everything is proceeding according to schedule, and all is looking great for the Crew-4 launch!
3:53 am EDT, April 27, 2022
We have liftoff! At 3:52 a.m. EDT, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft illuminated the early morning sky at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending Crew-4 astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins, and Samantha Cristoforetti on the start of a 16 1/2- 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 tension on the rocket. Following this, the Falcon 9s first and 2nd phases will separate.
3:56 am EDT, April 27, 2022
The Falcon 9 rockets very first phase has actually reached main engine cutoff, called MECO, and the first and second stages have actually separated. As the 2nd phase continues bring Crew Dragon on its flight, the rockets very first phase will try a targeted landing on a droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
3:57 am EDT, April 27, 2022
The call was available in from Crew-4 Commander Kjell Lindgren that trajectory is nominal, and the first phase has actually begun its descent. The Falcon 9 rockets 2nd stage will continue to burn for the next few minutes prior to deliberately closing down.
4:02 am EDT, April 27, 2022
Shutdown of the Falcon 9 rockets 2nd phase engines occurs right on time, and Crew Dragon is now in orbit. In just a minute, the rockets first phase will attempt to arrive at the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean.
The very first phase of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket arrive on the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean following launch of NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 objective on April 27, 2022. Credit: NASA
4:03 am EDT, April 27, 2022
The very first stage of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket has actually effectively landed on the businesss droneship, “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The rocket utilized for todays mission formerly flew on SpaceXs 22nd commercial resupply mission in June 2021 and the Crew-3 launch to the International Space Station in November.
4:05 am EDT, April 27, 2022
SpaceXs Crew Dragon spacecraft, called Freedom by the Crew-4 astronauts, has effectively separated from the Falcon 9 rockets 2nd phase and is now flying by itself.
The spacecraft has actually safely reached orbit, and its nosecone has actually opened. NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti are slated to reach the International Space Station simply over 16 hours from now, around 8:15 p.m. EDT on April 27.