In less than 24 hours , spaceman are schedule to soar upwards to space from US soil for the first time since the lastSpace Shuttledeparted almost a 10 ago . But before every expectant performance , there has to be adress rehearsal , and on Saturday , May 23 , a teetotal - run for Wednesday ’s launch was bear out for all launch personnel at NASA ’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley began the walk - through in the Astronaut Crew Quarters located inside Kennedy ’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building . romp their custom - made , one - slice , two - layered SpaceX suits , they made their manner to the ground level , which on the actual Clarence Shepard Day Jr. will be the last opportunity to see their loved single . They then boarded their transport vehicles ( Tesla Model X ’s ) to take them to the Launch Complex 39A , around a 20 - minute drive off .
Here , the astronauts went to the service tower face lift and into SpaceX ’s Crew Dragon Capsule , which has been on the launch launch pad since Thursday morning , May 21 . After checking communication theory , the hachure was fill up and the attire - ravel wrapped up with the go / no - go poll for the Falcon 9 Rocket propellant loading , which usually hap 45 bit before launch .
Not only will Behnken and Hurley ’s trip to the International Space Station ( ISS ) , known as theDemo-2 mission , spell an end to NASA ’s reliance on Russia and its Soyuz garden rocket to transport its gang into orbit , but it will also be the first - ever crewed missionary work by a secret company . SpaceX have made sure that everything from the spacesuits to the rocket ships are dressed for the social occasion – style in all whitened with a calamitous trimming .
“ SpaceX has proceed all out ” on the capsule ’s appearing , Hurley toldThe Associated Press , who has been inpre - escape quarantinefor almost two weeks . “ And they ’ve worked equally as hard to make the innards and the display and everything else in the fomite work to perfection . ”
Hurley and Behnken ’s Tesla ride to the launching pad is also poles aside from theShuttle - geological era Astrovan , which even Hurley ’s son was impressed with . “ It is really neat , and I think the enceinte testament to that is my 10 - year - older son secern me how coolheaded I am now , ” Hurleysaid .
Their all - white spacesuits are also a far cry from the bright orange ascent and entry causa worn by bird astronauts . NASA ’s retro “ insect logo ” has alsomade a comebackon the suits in place of the bulkier “ meatball ” one which has been the company ’s primary symbolisation since 1992 .
presently , the launch isscheduledfor Wednesday , May 27 , at 4.33pm EDT ( 9.33pm BST ) , however the conditions could put a moistener on this day of the month . Citing extensive overcast , rain cascade , and isolated electrical storm , theU.S. Air Force forty-fifth Weather Squadronare betoken only a 40 per centum hazard of favorable weather condition condition on launch day . If deemed unsafe for take - off , alternative launch windowsare purpose for Saturday , May 30 , at 3.22 promethium EDT ( 8.22 premier BST ) , and on Sunday , May 31 , at 3.00 pm EDT ( 8.00 pm BST ) .
