SpaceX Crew Dragon is docked with ISS

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley in their Crew Dragon spacecraft have successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The docking took place slightly ahead of scheduled at 10:16 a.m. EDT (14:16 UTC) over the border of China and Mongolia, only minutes before ISS began traveling above Earth’s night side. There is a continued schedule of online events today and tomorrow. The schedule is below.

The Crew Dragon mission represents the first commercially built and operated American rocket and spacecraft that has now carried astronauts to the space station. The first launch attempt, on May 27, was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The launch took place as planned at 3:22 p.m. EDT (19:22 UTC) on Saturday, May 30, 2020. The astronauts launched via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket – in the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft – from historic Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

Today’s Crew Dragon docking with ISS, as well as other activities, are airing live on NASA Television and the agency’s website. See below for a schedule.

Docking confirmed! @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug officially docked to the @Space_Station at 10:16am ET: pic.twitter.com/hCM4UvbwjR

— NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2020

We have liftoff. History is made as @NASA_Astronauts launch from @NASAKennedy for the first time in nine years on the @SpaceX Crew Dragon: pic.twitter.com/alX1t1JBAt

— NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020

Here's the Falcon 9 landing we missed due to LOS.
Taken from a helicopter.#SpaceX #LaunchAmerica #spacexlaunch pic.twitter.com/nchi7tYFLW

— Theo (@tprstly) May 30, 2020

Video: SpaceX did it! Beautiful view of the Crew Dragon separation. Now currently heading towards the ISS to capture the flag ???!
???????????? #DM2 #CrewDragon #NASASocial #NASA #SpaceX #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/O4wHL7XXVW

— Christopher Calubaquib (@ChrisAstro) May 30, 2020

NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 coverage is as follows. All times are EDT [UTC -4; how to translate UTC to your time] and will be updated online:

Sunday, May 31

6:45 a.m. – Astronaut downlink event from Crew Dragon
10:29 a.m. – Docking
12:45 p.m. – Hatch Open
1:05 p.m. – Welcome ceremony
3:15 p.m. – Post-arrival news conference at Johnson with
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer
NASA Chief Astronaut Pat Forrester

Monday, June 1

11:15 a.m. – Space Station crew news conference, with NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy, Bob Behnken, and Doug Hurley
12:55 p.m. – SpaceX employee event and Class of 2020 Mosaic presentation, with NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy, Bob Behnken, and Doug Hurley

For more information about the mission, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

This is SpaceX’s final test flight of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and will provide data on the performance of the Falcon 9 rocket, Crew Dragon spacecraft, and ground systems, as well as in-orbit, docking and landing operations.

The test flight also will also provide valuable data toward NASA certifying SpaceX’s crew transportation system for regular flights carrying astronauts to and from the space station. SpaceX currently is readying the hardware for the first rotational mission, which would happen after data from this mission is reviewed for NASA’s certification.

Bottom line: The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft docked successfully with the International Space Station on May 31, 2020. There are more online activities from space to watch. Visit NASA Television and the agency’s website.

Robert Behnken’s Twitter feed

Douglas Hurley’s Twitter feed

Via NASA