NASA’s Demo-2 mission is the first launch with astronauts of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.
The SpaceX Dragon Crew Capsule
Credit: SpaceX
The SpaceX Dragon Crew capsule awaits the historic return to human spaceflight launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Falcon 9 Rocket
Credit: SpaceX
A view of the Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Preflight
Credit: NASA
Sunrise over the SpaceX Falcon 9 that will launch the Dragon crew capsule to the International Space Station – the first such flight from U.S. soil since the end of space shuttle missions in 2011.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
Credit: NASA
A masked NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine watches astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken return to the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building after the May 27 launch scrub because of weather.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk
Credit: NASA
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tells Aviation Week, “We’ve gone to extreme lengths to review safety standards—the design of the rocket, the manufacture of the rocket. We’ve turned over every stone so many times I’ve lost count.” Read the Fast Five with Irene Klotz here. Or listen to the Check 6 podcast.
NASA Astronauts
Credit: NASA
May 27 looked like it might be the day, as NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley, left, and Robert Behnken, headed for the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A.
NASA Astronauts
Credit: SpaceX
Robert Behnken, left, and Douglas Hurley are both experienced NASA astronauts who flew on space shuttle missions and are married to astronauts.
President Donald Trump
Credit: NASA
President Donald Trump participates in a pre-launch briefing before the May 27 launch attempt.
Presidential Inspection
Credit: NASA
From left, Second Lady Karen Pence, Vice President Mike Pence, Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson, President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana and Mike Hawes, Lockheed vice president and program manager of the Orion crew capsule program.
The Dragon Crew Capsule
Credit: SpaceX
The Dragon Crew capsule, up close.
Stephen Koerner
Credit: NASA
Stephen Koerner, director of the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Norm Knight
Credit: NASA
NASA’s Deputy Director of Flight Operations Norm Knight monitors the countdown during a dress rehearsal of the Demo-2 mission.
SpaceX Crew Walkout
Credit: NASA
NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken prepare to board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on May 27.
The scene during the runup to NASA’s return to human spaceflight on U.S. soil after nine years.
Get regular analysis and insights from Aviation Week Network’s award-winning editorial and data teams on technology and business advances impacting the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries.
