Space X’s Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon atop is seen at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39 A onNov 10, 2021, ahead of the firm’s Space X Crew -3 launch. Credit: NASA
We have liftoff! At 9: 03 p.m. EST, the Space X Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft illuminated the night sky at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending out Crew -3 astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron, and Matthias Maurer on the start of a 22- hour journey to the International Space Station.
Coming up in simply one minute, the rocket will go through Max Q– the minute of peak mechanical tension on the rocket. Following this, the Falcon 9’s very first and 2nd phases will separate.
The Space X Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon takes off from Launch Pad 39 A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on November 10,2021 Credit: NASA
Main Engine Cutoff; Falcon 9’s First Stage Separates
The Falcon 9 rocket’s very first phase has actually reached primary engine cutoff, referred to as MECO, and the very first and 2nd phases have actually separated. As the 2nd phase continues bring Crew Dragon on its flight, the rocket’s very first phase will try a targeted landing on a droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Crew -3 Confirms Trajectory is Nominal
The call can be found in from Crew -3 Commander Raja Chari that trajectory is small, and the very first phase has actually begun its descent. The Falcon 9 rocket’s 2nd phase will continue to burn for the next couple of minutes prior to purposefully closing down.
Falcon 9 Second Stage Engine Shuts Down
Shutdown of the Falcon 9 rocket’s 2nd phase engines takes place right on time, and Crew Dragon is now in orbit. In simply a minute, the rocket’s very first phase will try to arrive at a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
First Stage Sticks the Landing!
The very first phase of Space X’s Falcon 9 rocket has actually effectively arrived on a droneship stationed in the AtlanticOcean The rocket utilized for today’s objective formerly flew on Space X’s 22 nd industrial resupply objective to the International Space Station in June 2021.
Next up, Crew Dragon will separate from the rocket’s 2nd phase to continue its journey to the International Space Station.
Separation Confirmed, Crew Dragon Now Flying Solo
Space X’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, called Endurance by the Crew -3 astronauts, has actually effectively separated from the Falcon 9 rocket’s 2nd phase and is now flying by itself.
The spacecraft has actually securely reached orbit, and its nosecone has actually been opened. NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, together with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer are slated to come to the International Space Station about 22 hours from now, around 7: 10 p.m. EST on November 11.
