Read on Twitter
Today is a BIG day for @NASA (
weather permitting) - the first launch to the @Space_Station from US soil since the last Space Shuttle flight in 2011: the first crewed flight of the #SpaceXDragon
Here are some fun facts about #SpaceX launch that you might not see in the newsâŠ
weather permitting) - the first launch to the @Space_Station from US soil since the last Space Shuttle flight in 2011: the first crewed flight of the #SpaceXDragonHere are some fun facts about #SpaceX launch that you might not see in the newsâŠ
If youâre in Europe you should be able to spot the Dragon and the Falcon 9 rocket (two bright points of light) around 20 minutes after launch low down in the sky moving West to East (around 9:50 UK time).
https://twitter.com/chrislintott/status/1265526818037272576?s=20
https://twitter.com/chrislintott/status/1265526818037272576?s=20
On the last space shuttle mission, in true American fashion, the astronauts left a 
flag aboard the ISS that was not to be âcapturedâ until astronauts returned on an American commercially developed craft.
Itâs the same that flew aboard the first space shuttle mission STS-1
flag aboard the ISS that was not to be âcapturedâ until astronauts returned on an American commercially developed craft.Itâs the same
that flew aboard the first space shuttle mission STS-1
Now launches are commercialised we know how much a ride to the ISS costs! 
NASA has been paying $85 million/seat on the Russian Soyuz craft.
SpaceX will charge $55 million/seat on the Dragon.
Boeing $90 million/seat on Starliner
Time to start saving...
NASA has been paying $85 million/seat on the Russian Soyuz craft.
SpaceX will charge $55 million/seat on the Dragon.
Boeing $90 million/seat on Starliner
Time to start saving...
By outsourcing the launch of astronauts to the ISS, NASA hopes to introduce competition to both reduce costs and increase the rate of technology advancement.
This also leaves NASA to focus on their plans for a Moon base & space station which will act as a stepping stone to Mars
This also leaves NASA to focus on their plans for a Moon base & space station which will act as a stepping stone to Mars
After launch, astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will spend 19 hours in orbit around the Earth playing catch up with the ISS before docking
Itâs an ideal time to put both the manual- and auto-pilot systems to the test
by #SpaceX
Itâs an ideal time to put both the manual- and auto-pilot systems to the test
by #SpaceX
The astronauts will look less âpumpkinâ and more fashion for this launch debuting SpaceXâs snazzy new spacesuits.
The helmet is 3D printed and each one is custom to each astronaut. Theyâll only be used to protect against a possible decompression during launch and not for EVAs
The helmet is 3D printed and each one is custom to each astronaut. Theyâll only be used to protect against a possible decompression during launch and not for EVAs
The Falcon 9 rocket (named in honour of Star Warsâs Millennium Falcon) which will launch the Dragon craft is *re-usable* - the first of itâs kind.
It will return to Earth and land ITSELF vertically on a landing pad
EXTREME RECYCLING 
It will return to Earth and land ITSELF vertically on a landing pad
EXTREME RECYCLING
All rockets are launched to the East so that they get a boost in energy from the Earthâs equator. This boost is larger the closer to the equator you are.
Florida is a good spot for this because if anything goes wrong, launching East means crash down over the Atlantic.
Florida is a good spot for this because if anything goes wrong, launching East means crash down over the Atlantic.
NASA has no concrete plans for how long Bob Behnken and Doug Hurleyâs mission on the @Space_Station will last: anywhere between 1-4 months.
They are going to the ISS with no return ticket booked!
They are going to the ISS with no return ticket booked!
You can watch the launch LIVE! Either on @NASA or #SpaceX Links below.
Note: @NAS has stressed that the public must *not* flock to Kennedy to watch the launch given the current pandemic. https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive
Note: @NAS has stressed that the public must *not* flock to Kennedy to watch the launch given the current pandemic. https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive
