[ad_1]
NASA's first test on the SpaceX Falcon 9 unmanned rocket and the Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled for Jan. 7.
The launch, called Demo-1, is scheduled for 23:57. AND at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
As part of the Commercial Crew Program, this test marks a milestone in NASA's quest to deliver astronauts back to the cosmos – for the first time the space shuttle was removed in 2011.
The agency will closely monitor performance by collecting data on the SpaceX rocket, Crew Dragon, the ground system and mooring operations.
"After the test flights, NASA will review the performance data and solve the problems needed to certify the systems for operational missions," according to a recent blog post.
Assuming everything goes well, a second test, Demo-2, will allow astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to travel to the International Space Station in June.
A similar schedule is in place for Boeing: unarmed orbital test flight in March, crewed flight test in August.
However, the administration reminds people that "as with any development of manned spaceflight, drawing lessons from each test and making the necessary adjustments to reduce the risk to the crew may cancel the planning dates."
There's also this little problem with NASA's review of Boeing's and SpaceX's workplace safety culture, which should begin next year, which could hamper the first few tests.
Once crew flights are successfully completed, NASA will certify the spacecraft and its systems for regular missions to the ISS. The agency has outsourced six missions (with up to four astronauts each) per company.
A first operational mission is scheduled for August 2019, followed by a second one in December.
A team of nine people – seven men and two women – was introduced this summer as the first American astronaut to fly in a commercial spaceship.
More coverage on Geek.com:
[ad_2]
Source link
