Issue link: https://geospatial.trimble.com/en/resources/i/1415423
THE BIG COMMERCIAL FLIGHT www.geospatialworld.net | May-June 2020 10 INFOSPHERE The SpaceX Demo 2 Mission, which saw a Falcon 9 carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley aboard a Crew Dragon capsule fly for the International Space Station (ISS), represents the final step before NASA certifies the SpaceX capsule to fly regular, long missions to the ISS. LOCATION Kennedy Space Center, Florida. LAUNCHPAD The iconic launchpad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center was used for Apollo 11 landing on Moon. It was later used for the Space Shuttle program. SECOND TIME LUCKY May 30, 2020 launch was the second attempt. The launch was called off due to bad weather on May 27, 2020. WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT • This is the first time in a decade that American astronauts have been launched from American soil on an American rocket. • SpaceX is the first private company to send humans to space. THE ROCKET • Falcon 9 is SpaceX's workhorse and is the first orbital class rocket capable of reflight. It has been launched 85 times so far, with 46 landings and 32 reflown missions. • Two-stage design allows refly of the most expensive parts of the rocket. • Stands 70 meter tall and is 3.7 meter in diameter, with a payload capacity of 22,800 kg to LEO, 8,300 kg to GTO and 4,020 kg to Mars. DATE: May 30, 2020 TIME: 3.22 pm ET Falcon 9 lis off om the historic Launch Complex 39A • Crew Dragon is an evolved version of SpaceX's Dragon Cargo spacecraft that has visited the space station 22 times, with 9 reflown missions. • Sits on top of the Falcon 9 in place of the traditional nose cone • 8.1 meter tall with a trunk and 4 meter in diameter, with 37 sq meter trunk volume. • Launch payload mass of 6,000 kg and return payload mass of 3,000 kg • Capable of carrying up to 7 passengers to and from Earth's orbit, and beyond • Trunk is the large lower half that's covered in solar panels, which can also carry cargo • Trunk remains attached to Dragon until shortly before re-entry into Earth's atmosphere • Allows transport of people as well as environmentally sensitive cargo THE SPACECRAFT