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SpaceX Crew Dragon could fly astronauts to the ISS in early 2020
As expected, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine stopped by SpaceX HQ in California and then did a bit of Q&A with the media while standing next to Elon Musk and two astronauts. You can watch video of the entire session below as it was posted to Bridenstine's Twitter feed, but some of the highlights included comments about the Crew Dragon project and the progress made there. While the administrator emphasized the need for more testing, and allowed that schedules could change depending on what they find there, the capsule could be ready for its first crewed "Demo-2" test flight in Q1 of 2020. According to Elon Musk, drop tests that are about to start will evaluate its "Mark 3" parachute design, which has replaced nylon cords with stronger "xylon" material. They also referenced the explosion on the test stand earlier this year, with Bridenstine praising SpaceX's "fail fast" model, as long as it includes fixes before rockets actually take flight. Musk agreed, saying that if things don't fail then you aren't trying hard enough. The explosion was apparently related to a leak somewhere between the launch abort system and orbital maneuvering system, so that area has been redesigned. Overall, everyone seems to be closer to the same page than in weeks past, but we'll have to wait and see if this gets the Commercial Crew program moving sooner rather than later.
Elon Musk and NASA's administrator will talk Crew Dragon on Thursday
Just before Elon Musk took a victory lap to show off SpaceX's Starship in Texas, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine congratulated him while mentioning that his organization "expects to see the same enthusiasm focused on the investments of the American taxpayer." He was referring to the long-delayed Commercial Crew program that SpaceX is participating in with its Crew Dragon. Musk responded by bringing up NASA's own oft-delayed project, the SLS, when asked about the comment. Bridenstine is scheduled to visit SpaceX HQ in Hawthorne, CA for a tour to check on the company's progress, followed by a media availability session. He will be there alongside Musk, as well as the two astronauts scheduled to take flight on Crew Dragon's Demo-2 flight test to the ISS, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.
Initial Creative Emmy winners include Apple, Netflix and NASA
The Creative Arts Emmy awards are only half-finished, but it's already clear that streaming services are thriving -- including a few you might not expect. Netflix came home with the most statuettes on the first night of the awards, receiving a total of 15 compared to 'just' eight for next-closest rival National Geographic. Four of those went to Queer Eye for Outstanding Structured Reality Program as well as specific reality show awards for casting and directing. The animated anthology Love, Death & Robots, meanwhile, scored five awards, including the top spot for short-form animation as well as individual awards for art and design. Our Planet took two awards, those for best documentary and narration.
SpaceX shows off a highlight reel of Crew Dragon parachute tests
As SpaceX continues its progress toward a Demo-2 launch of its Crew Dragon spacecraft with NASA astronauts aboard the company put together this reel of parachute tests. According to the tag, "SpaceX is returning human spaceflight capabilities to the United States with one of the safest, most advanced systems ever built." I didn't spot a clip from the failed test in April, but that's part of the reason why SpaceX is doing repeated tests from various heights and setups like the one it failed where one of the parachutes was intentionally disabled. It's all to make sure that the system works when it's called upon to provide a safe ocean landing for actual people. Boeing already announced the competing Starliner project has completed a qualification test for its parachute system, although both programs have faced technical issues, like the explosive incident SpaceX recently traced to an oxidizer leak.
SpaceX blames Crew Dragon explosion on an oxidizer leak
Months after the incident, SpaceX has an explanation for why its Crew Dragon capsule was destroyed during a test. The private spaceflight firm has determined that a "leaking component" allowed liquid oxidizer (specifically nitrogen tetroxide) to enter high-pressure helium tubes during ground processing. When some of this oxidizer was sent through a helium check valve during the launch escape system startup, it reacted with the valve's titanium and triggered an explosion.
SpaceX says its Crew Dragon capsule was destroyed during test
A SpaceX official confirmed Thursday during a press briefing that one of the company's Crew Dragon capsules meant for crewed spaceflight was destroyed, according to CNBC. The update from the company confirms reports that followed the failed April 20th test. SpaceX has yet to provide more details about the incident other than to say it was the result of an "anomaly." The company still moving forward with a plan to launch another Crew Dragon capsule that is set to dock with the International Space Station.
SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule suffers 'anomaly' in testing
SpaceX's dreams of crewed spaceflight appear to have faced a setback. The company and the US Air Force's 45th Space Wing have confirmed to Florida Today that a Crew Dragon capsule suffered an "anomaly" during a static test fire at Cape Canaveral. Most tests went according to plan, SpaceX said, but a "final test" led to problems on the testing stand. Observers could see smoke from miles away, suggesting that the capsule or something attached to it had caught fire.
Watch SpaceX's Crew Dragon return to Earth starting at 2 AM ET
Just about a week after launching on its inaugural voyage, the SpaceX Crew Dragon has one more step to complete: returning to Earth. First, the uncrewed spacecraft will undock from the International Docking Adapter on the ISS that it has called home for the last few days, which is scheduled to occur at about 2:31 AM ET. Once all the hooks are released, as NASASpaceflight.com explains, it will complete a separation burn and prepare to deorbit. Part two is the actual sea landing, with splashdown in the Atlantic scheduled to occur around 8:45 AM ET, although the timing could change based on wind and other variables. NASA TV will cover things live on its streaming channel (embedded below) starting at 2 AM, and then coming back on the air at 7:30 AM ET.
SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft successfully launched
Ever since the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, NASA has relied on Russian Soyuz missions to get astronauts back and forth from the International Space Station. In order to maintain control over its own missions, the Commercial Crew program has sought replacements, with SpaceX and Boeing in competition for the contract. After a number of delays, SpaceX will go first with a test launch of its Crew Dragon vehicle, scheduled to take off from Launch Complex 39A in Cape Canaveral at 2:49 AM ET. SpaceX will have a live webcast of the Crew Demo-1 launch, which you can watch here, along with coverage from NASA TV. The broadcasts should start at 2 AM. To synchronize with the ISS, it's an instantaneous window so there's no waiting for this one -- it either will or will not go tonight.
SpaceX Crew Dragon nails critical safety milestone
NASA has granted the SpaceX Crew Dragon pad abort milestone approval following critical tests last month. The vehicle -- which will eventually carry astronauts to the International Space Station -- rocketed to a height of 1,187 meters (3,900 feet) at 345mph, powered by its eight SuperDraco engines. The crew pod then separated from the trunk and floated on three parachutes to an Atlantic splashdown, surprisingly close to shore. NASA said that the test gave engineers "volumes of important information," adding that "(simulations) still can't beat a flight test like this for finding out what's going on with the hardware."
SpaceX slated to transport cargo and crew on Falcon 9
If that homebrew rocket you've been building in your backyard isn't working out, maybe SpaceX will have some room for you on one of its many upcoming Falcon 9 missions. Now that the F1 has successfully achieved orbit, the F9 is slated for launch in Q1 2009. As you may recall, the aptly named Falcon 9 has nine engines rather than one, as with the F1. These redundancies were inspired by the Apollo's Saturn V and Saturn I rockets, noted for their flawless flight records despite engine failures. If all goes well, the launch will be followed by three more, including one with a crew and an F9 "Heavy" -- handy if you've got 25,300 lbs of marbles or whatever to haul up to the International Space Station. If you plan on hitching a ride, get your job applications in now -- only valued employees are scheduled to be passengers at this time. Got a more exotic destination in mind? Next up Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has his sights set on building a "Mars lander of some kind."[Via Wired]