We are under 12 days to the launch of SpaceX’s DM-2 manned
mission to the ISS. The 2 astronauts went into quarantine yesterday. I haven’t heard anything preventing a launch on the scheduled date of Wednesday
May 27, at 3:32 PM. Possibly the biggest unknown is weather. There has to be
good weather at the launch pad, the downrange emergency splashdown area and the
landing area for the Falcon 9 core stage. I probably won’t publish the zoom
meeting # for our “watch party” until I see a good weather prediction during
the Launch Readiness Review on Monday afternoon, May 25.
This weekend there will be a couple of rocket launches from
Florida. On Saturday, May 16, the US Air Force will launch its spaceplane, the
X-37B, for the 6th time, around 7:24 AM. Because of the secrecy of
mission, there never is much information about the mission and the plane can
spend up to 2 years in orbit before landing back in Florida.
On Sunday, May 17, SpaceX is scheduled to launch its 8th
batch of 60 Starlink satellites. Launch is scheduled for 2:53 AM. This will
bring the number of Starlink satellites up to 480. SpaceX will be using this
Falcon 9 rocket for the 5th time which will tie their record for the
most reuses of a booster.
If you get a chance, try the Dragon (DM-2) ISS Docking
Simulator. Keith put a link to it on our website, massCosmos.org . Click on the
title bar option of “ISS Docking Sim”. I’m only batting 1 for 4 on successful
dockings. I usually get to within 5 meters before losing control. Hint: use the
keyboard keys (a, s, d and w) for the position controls instead of mouse
clicks. Also check out Scott Manley’s youtube tutorial, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp4CTN6-kzQ
for additional tips.
Jim
