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Crew-2 Prelaunch Discussion & Updates Thread

Live Updates (Crew-2)

[](/# MC // section intro)

Crew-2 Prelaunch Discussion & Updates Thread

This is your r/SpaceX host team bringing you live coverage of the first crew rotation long duration flight!

Quick Facts

Liftoff currently scheduled for:April 22 10:11 UTC (6:11 AM EDT)
Backup dateTBA, typically next day. Launch time gets about 20-25 minutes earlier each day.
Static fireTBA
Spacecraft CommanderShane Kimbrough, NASA Astronaut @astro_kimbough
PilotMegan McArthur, NASA Astronaut @Astro_Megan
Mission SpecialistAkihiko Hoshide, JAXA Astronaut @aki_hoshide
Mission SpecialistThomas Pesquet, ESA Astronaut @Thom_astro
Destination orbitLow Earth Orbit, ~400 km x 51.66°, ISS rendezvous
Launch vehicleFalcon 9 v1.2 Block 5
CoreB1061 (Previous: Crew-1)
CapsuleCrew Dragon C206 "Endeavour" (Previous: DM-2)
Duration of visit~6 months
Launch siteLC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
LandingASDS: 32.15806 N, 76.74139 W (541 km downrange)
Mission success criteriaSuccessful separation and deployment of Dragon into the target orbit; rendezvous and docking to the ISS; undocking from the ISS; and reentry, splashdown and recovery of Dragon and crew.

Events

Saturday, April 17

9:45 a.m. – Virtual Crew Media Engagement at Kennedy with Crew-2 astronauts:

  • NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, spacecraft commander

  • NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, pilot

  • JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, mission specialist

  • ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, mission specialist

Monday, April 19

1 p.m. – Science Media Teleconference to discuss investigations Crew-2 will support during their mission

  • David Brady, associate program scientist for the International Space Station Program at Johnson will discuss how the Commercial Crew Program is boosting research aboard the orbiting laboratory. 

  • ISS U.S. National Laboratory Senior Program Director Dr. Liz Warren will discuss Tissue Engineering, which uses a combination of cells, engineering, and materials to restore, maintain, improve, or replace biological tissues. Scientists will leverage microgravity, which allows cells to grow without scaffolding and in ways that mimic tissues in the human body.

  • Dr. Lucie Low from the National Institutes of Health will discuss Tissue Chips, complex bioengineered 3D models that mimic the structure and function of human organ systems. Scientists use tissue chips to test the potential effects of drugs on those tissues and to study diseases.

  • ISS Program Scientist for Earth Observations Dr. William Stefanov will discuss Crew Earth Observations. Astronauts have taken more than 3.5 million images of Earth from the space station, contributing to one of the longest-running records of how Earth has changed over time.

  • NASA Project Manager for ISS Power Augmentation Bryan Griffith and Boeing’s director for the ISS Structural and Mechanical Development Project Rick Golden will discuss the ISS Roll-out Solar Array compact solar panels that roll open like a yoga mat. In 2017, the basic design underwent testing on the space station to determine its strength and durability, and NASA will deliver the first two of six new arrays that will be delivered this summer to augment the station’s power.

Tuesday, April 20

8 a.m. – Prelaunch News Conference at Kennedy (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Launch Readiness Review) with the following participants:

  • Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy

  • Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station, Johnson

  • Kirt Costello, chief scientist, International Space Station Program, Johnson

  • Norm Knight, deputy manager, Flight Operations Directorate, Johnson

  • Benji Reed, senior director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX

  • Junichi Sakai, manager, International Space Station Program, JAXA

  • Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA

  • Brian Cizek, launch weather officer, U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron

Wednesday, April 21

8:30 a.m. – Administrator Countdown Clock Briefing with the following participants (limited, previously confirmed in-person media only):

  • Steve Jurczyk, acting NASA administrator

  • Bob Cabana, Kennedy center director

  • Hiroshi Sasaki, vice president and director general, JAXA’s Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate

  • Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA

  • NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli

[](/# MC // section events)

Timeline

TimeUpdate
[](/# MC // row 0) 2021-04-17 14:16:13 UTCConference ended
[](/# MC // row 1) 2021-04-17 14:12:45 UTCBob gave advice to Meghan on what to choose from the food menu and bought some hot sauces to send up for her
[](/# MC // row 2) 2021-04-17 14:05:21 UTCAnother question from u/yoweigh answered: Thomas and Akihiko will both get some native food on ISS and are looking forward to share it
[](/# MC // row 3) 2021-04-17 14:01:30 UTCCrew is looking forward to feel the rumble and leave earth
[](/# MC // row 4) 2021-04-17 13:56:59 UTCCrew-2 will be the first flight with a template training
[](/# MC // row 5) 2021-04-17 13:56:25 UTCu/yoweigh question for r/SpaceX:  "How has training for Dragon missions been refined as a result of lessons learned from the previous two missions? Have the crews of Demo-2 and Crew-1 give you all any advice other than the launch sounds already mentioned by Megan?"
[](/# MC // row 6) 2021-04-17 13:47:17 UTCStarting now
[](/# MC // row 7) 2021-04-17 13:36:21 UTCCrew Media Conference in about 10 minutes on NASA TV
[](/# MC // row 8) 23:54And that's a wrap!<br>
[](/# MC // row 9) 23:52Did the SN8 license violation cause any additional monitoring to other SpaceX missions like this one? No, not really, says FAA rep<br>
[](/# MC // row 10) 23:50Currently working on building new crew and cargo dragons for future missions and getting ready to ship to the cape soon<br>
[](/# MC // row 11) 23:49It seems something went wrong with the call, since they're taking repeated questions and I didn't get added to the queue :(<br>
[](/# MC // row 12) 23:48More about the LOX issue: The issue is only on Stage 1.<br>
[](/# MC // row 13) 23:40During refurbishment, made improvements to the tanks to be able to use more propellant in an abort situation, which allows much more flexibility in terms of the onshore winds during an abort scenario, greatly reducing launch weather constraints<br>
[](/# MC // row 14) 23:35No current plans to add another docking port due to crew congestion, but the Axiom commercial space module may chance that<br>
[](/# MC // row 15) 23:34Still investigating the LOX load issue but as far as SpaceX is aware, it was present on all previous flights with no problems<br>
[](/# MC // row 16) 23:33Media keep cheating and asking multiple questions :/<br>
[](/# MC // row 17) 23:32Discussion of the logistics of moving around the capsule between ports<br>
[](/# MC // row 18) 23:31Lueders: Wrt political issues, they are out there but we forsee we'll be able to continue international coorperation.<br>
[](/# MC // row 19) 23:30Gerstemier: Propellant level was a few inches different from what was expected, <br>
[](/# MC // row 20) 23:29We used this config on all previous flights with no issue, but just doing extra investigation to make sure that there is no concern.<br>
[](/# MC // row 21) 23:28Gerstemier: When loading for testing at McGregor, was interrupted by weather which gave them a chance to examine the configuration and run additional investigation, and realized that there was a very slight difference in the LOX loaded vs what was expected.<br>
[](/# MC // row 22) 23:27First question from CBS: Unsurprisingly, first question is about the LOX loading issue<br>
[](/# MC // row 23) 23:20SpaceX's Bill Gerstemier: There was an issue we discovered in Texas (McGregor) that a little bit extra LOX was loaded on the vehicle, so we're investigating that and working through the potential implications over the next few days.<br>
[](/# MC // row 24) 23:19Continuing to review the importance of the mission as the first reflown booster and first reflown capsule on a human mission, which requires extra scruitiny of everything.<br>
[](/# MC // row 25) 23:12Everything on track for launch, aside from one issue with the LOX loading system.<br>
[](/# MC // row 26) 23:10Aaaand we're live!<br>
[](/# MC // row 27) 23:04We're told its gonna start "momentarily", so any moment now!<br>
[](/# MC // row 28) 22:59Looks like we're about to go live!<br>
[](/# MC // row 29) 22:41Sorry, realized I had neglected to actually publish the timeline updates. Should be fixed now.<br>
[](/# MC // row 30) 22:36NASA has now annouced it is further delayed, to 23:00 UTC. I'll keep you updated; in the meantime, be sure to ask your questions down below!<br>
[](/# MC // row 31) 22:00NASA has announced the telecon will be delayed to 22:30 UTC, presumably due to the need to complete the FRR.<br>
[](/# MC // row 32) 21:00This is your host, CAM Gerlach, participating in the FRR press conference on behalf of the sub. Wish me luck!<br>
[](/# MC // row 33)Thread posted

[](/# MC // section viewing)

[](/# MC // section stats)

[](/# MC // section mission)

Webcasts

NASA TV on Youtube

[](/# MC // section landing)

[](/# MC // section resources)

Links & Resources

  • Coming soon

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Participate in the discussion!

  • First of all, launch threads are party threads! We understand everyone is excited, so we relax the rules in these venues. The most important thing is that everyone enjoy themselves
  • Please constrain the launch party to this thread alone. We will remove low effort comments elsewhere!
  • Real-time chat on our official Internet Relay Chat (IRC) #SpaceX on Snoonet
  • Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here, rather than as a separate post. Thanks!
  • Wanna talk about other SpaceX stuff in a more relaxed atmosphere? Head over to r/SpaceXLounge

[](/# MC // section END)

[](/# MC // let time = 1601391600000) [](/# MC // let launch = Crew-2) [](/# MC // let video = 4WopL06_UqE)

Posted Apr 15, 2021, 7:56 PM UTC · edited

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