Launch day in America: NASA and SpaceX will attempt the first operational manned rocket launch today - delivering 3 American and 1 Japanese astronaut to the ISS at 7:27 PM Eastern

[mclumber1]

 

• This will be the first operational mission for NASA/SpaceX.  The mission earlier this year was a test mission.
• There will be four astronauts aboard the capsule.  This is not only the most number of people launched into space since the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011, it is the most EVER for a capsule design.
• The Japanese astronaut will have flown aboard 3 different rocket designs:  The space shuttle, Russia's Soyuz, and SpaceX's Falcon/Dragon.
• This will mark the first time a black astronaut will live aboard the ISS.
• NASA plans on reusing this capsule and the first stage of the rocket for a future manned mission
• Musk isn't at the launch, because he's down with the sickness.

[Chairslinger]

I look forward to a time when we can go back to stories like this being the bulk of the CEB rather than just the occasional respite from Trump craziness.

[DarkStar189]

Thanks for posting. I love tuning in for these launches. 

[Xbob42]

Always genuinely excited for advancements in space travel!

[mclumber1]

T minus 3 minutes.  

[Chairslinger]

I don't think I've ever watched a lift off that wasn't during the daytime. 

[Commissar SFLUFAN]

We're off to outer space!

 

 

[mclumber1]

First stage should land on the drone ship in approximately 4 minutes. Second stage and Dragon capsule continues to orbit.  Everything is nominal. 

[mclumber1]

Second stage engine shutdown. Nominal orbit.  AND the booster has landed on the drone ship.  

[DarkStar189]

Usually the signal drops out when the booster lands on the drone ship but not this time! 

[Xbob42]

It feels so alien, watching competence and caution used to actually accomplish something.

[mclumber1]

A tale of two tweets:

 

[mclumber1]

5 minutes ago, DarkStar189 said:

Usually the signal drops out when the booster lands on the drone ship but not this time! 

 

They've made some improvements on ensuring the camera doesn't lose connection.  I haven't seen the camera cut out completely for a few launches now.

[Massdriver]

Perfect launch!

[Chris-]

I’m not an anxious person by nature and yet it baffles me you people actually watch this stuff live. 

[mclumber1]

11 minutes ago, Chris- said:

I’m not an anxious person by nature and yet it baffles me you people actually watch this stuff live. 

 

The only thing that had me worried was the few small issues they had after they reached orbit with cabin temperature and fuel heaters. 

[CayceG]

31 minutes ago, Chris- said:

I’m not an anxious person by nature and yet it baffles me you people actually watch this stuff live. 

 

My thing is usually with seeing the first stage booster landing. That shit is awesome and I want to see it every time. 

 

But like, it IS inherently risky to crew and will never not be. I think once this gets routine (if it hasn't already) people will be shocked when an issue crops up that potentially kills. 

[marioandsonic]

19 hours ago, mclumber1 said:

A tale of two tweets:

 

 

God these next two months are going to kill me...

[Kal-El814]

Imagine rocket launches going more smoothly than console launches, what a time to be alive.

[mclumber1]

Dragon is now a few hundred meters from the ISS

[mclumber1]

 

[mclumber1]

 

[chakoo]

Love how the crew took a Baby Yoda / "The Child" with them. It's funny just seeing it floating in the stream. 

[chakoo]

Btw, final docking in progress. Soft Capture complete, Hard Capture in progress.

[mclumber1]

 

[BloodyHell]

16 hours ago, marioandsonic said:

 

God these next two months are going to kill me...

Does Donnie think SpaceX is NASA owned? Because NASA didn’t do this. Thats kinda the point, the private sector had to do it for them.