Privately owned orbital human spaceflights are here. A new era of commercialized space travel begins.
SpaceX's Crew Dragon Demo-2 is off to a roaring start. After a delayed launch earlier in the week, the spacecraft lifted off at 3:22 pm ET on Saturday. It left the planet, and entered Earth's orbit where it will later dock with the International Space Station (ISS), beginning a new era of commercial space tourism and exploration — all with the help of mercurial billionaire Elon Musk.
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Listen to Elon Musk's early predictions about space travel | Northwest & National News |
In an early interview with CNN, SpaceX founder Elon Musk explained how he could work with NASA and his vision for the future of space travel.
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Tulsa's ties to space travel
Scientists say the upcoming SpaceX launch with NASA is a crucial moment in history. Alex London, curator of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum, says space travel going commercial could create jobs and research for the next generation like never before.
"There are so many folks who may have not had these opportunities 10 years ago that now have the opportunity to be an engineer and work on the SpaceX team," London said. "It's great for our younger viewers because if you want to do this, there's a role for you in this."
Space Travel, Privatized - The New York Times
Today: For the first time in history, a private company is sending astronauts into space. Science reporter Kenneth Chang on the dawn of a new era in space travel.
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I've forgotten. Because I started covering these at the end of the space shuttle era. So it was probably five or six then. And there was a few other scattered ones. And I've actually made more trips than that. Because especially with the space shuttle, they would postpone the launch at the last second a gazillion times. So I would just fly in in, fly out, fly in, fly out, and not even see a launch.
While you're here, how about this:
Behind the scenes as FAA prepares for Space X launch - The Washington Post
From a command center in Warrenton, Va., a special team at the Federal Aviation Administration will be keeping a close watch on the historic launch of the first astronauts from U.S. soil in almost a decade. Two NASA astronauts are headed to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 booster.
"It's a very exciting day for us," Duane Freer, manager of space operations at the FAA, said in an interview on Wednesday, just hours before the mission's scheduled launch, which was later postponed because of weather. "This has been a long time in the making. There's a lot on the line for the country."
Lucas Praises Successful SpaceX Launch: This is a New Era of Space Travel
Press Release From: House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Posted: Saturday, May 30, 2020
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas released a statement today congratulating NASA and SpaceX on the successful launch of the Crew Dragon Capsule on the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
"Today marks a new era in space travel," Lucas said. "It's been nearly ten years since we last launched American astronauts from American soil on an American rocket.
TechWorks! discusses local contributions to aviation and space travel ahead of SpaceX Launch
BINGHAMTON (WBNG) -- With astronaut and Apalachin native Doug Hurley heading into space in the coming days, TechWorks! is discussing Binghamton's major role in developing modern aviation and space travel.
"It's said that of all the simulations for visuals and simulators they've tried, NASA has said this is the one they like the best," said Susan Sherwood, executive director of the Center for Technology and Innovation, better known as TechWorks!.
TechWorks! is currently home to the Apollo Mission Simulator and Lunar Module. It was constructed in hanger two at the Binghamton Airport back in the 1960's. Without it, astronauts wouldn't have been able to get around in space.
Ohio's role in the latest era of American space travel
TOLEDO (WTVG) - The anticipation is only growing stronger in these parts with today's launch called off at Kennedy Space Center.
Crew Dragon Demo-2 would not be on the launch pad if it wasn't for a trip to Ohio by Crew Dragon Demo-1. It underwent two tests at Plum Brook Station near Sandusky in the summer of 2018.
"Making sure it can handle the stresses of space, we did that in our in our in space propulsion facility, and SpaceX wanted to test it against the strains of going super sonic up in the air, we can put more forces on it than any other place on earth to make sure the mechanical structure can withstand the rigors of the shock waves," said Plum Brook Station Director, David Stringer.
Happening on Twitter
We have liftoff. History is made as @NASA_Astronauts launch from @NASAKennedy for the first time in nine years on t… https://t.co/wk6WGBsuap NASA Sat May 30 19:24:09 +0000 2020
Ready for launch @NASA https://t.co/4hPZOPe7SF SpaceX (from Hawthorne, CA) Sat May 30 18:27:49 +0000 2020
Congratulations @SpaceX on a successful launch. Godspeed @Astro_Doug and @AstroBehnken in their Crew Dragon Capsule https://t.co/ej9kVwyXpS neiltyson (from New York City) Sat May 30 19:46:50 +0000 2020
T-10 minutes until launch of Crew Dragon → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK SpaceX (from Hawthorne, CA) Sat May 30 19:12:53 +0000 2020
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